Key Takeaways
- Lease liability is a monetary item - retranslate at the closing rate with forex differences in profit or loss
- Right-of-use asset (cost model) is a non-monetary item - keep at the historical rate with no ongoing translation adjustments
- Translation from functional to presentation currency creates a Foreign Currency Translation Reserve (FCTR)
- Interest expense uses the transaction-date rate (average rate is a practical approximation); depreciation uses the historical asset rate
- Exchange rate volatility can create significant income statement impacts on large lease portfolios
Understanding Translation Currencies
When leases are denominated in a currency other than the entity's functional currency, IFRS 16 must be applied in conjunction with IAS 21 (The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates). Understanding the different currency concepts is essential.
Denominated Currency
The currency in which lease payments are made - commonly called the "lease currency". For example, a UK subsidiary paying rent in USD has a USD-denominated lease.
Functional Currency
The currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates - typically the currency in which it primarily generates and expends cash.
Presentation Currency
The currency used to present the entity's financial statements. This can be any currency and may differ from the functional currency for group reporting purposes.
Translation to Functional Currency
When a lease is denominated in a foreign currency, it must first be translated to the entity's functional currency. IAS 21 provides the general translation rules:
Monetary Items
Use the closing rate
Monetary items are settled in cash. The lease liability is monetary because it represents an obligation to deliver cash.
Non-Monetary Items
Use the historical rate
Non-monetary items carried at historical cost use the exchange rate at the transaction date. The right-of-use asset is non-monetary.
IFRS 16 Items and Exchange Rates
| IFRS 16 Item | Classification | Rate to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Lease liability | Monetary | Closing rate |
| Right-of-use asset (cost model) | Non-monetary | Historical rate (commencement date). Any prepayments made before commencement use the spot rate on the prepayment date |
| Lease payments | Transaction | Spot rate at payment date |
| Interest expense | Income/expense | Transaction-date rate (average rate as practical approximation, provided rates do not fluctuate significantly) |
| Depreciation | Income/expense | Historical rate (same as ROU asset) |
Key Insight
Because the lease liability uses the closing rate and the ROU asset uses the historical rate, the two will diverge over time due to exchange rate movements - unlike leases denominated in the functional currency, where no exchange differences arise between the liability and the asset.
Exchange Rate Differences on Lease Liabilities
Exchange rate movements between the lease liability's carrying amount and its translation at the closing rate create foreign exchange differences. These are recognised in profit or loss.
Example: Foreign Currency Lease Liability
A EUR functional currency entity has a USD-denominated lease. During Year 1, EUR strengthens against USD:
- Opening liability: $100,000 at commencement rate 0.90 EUR/USD = €90,000
- Year 1 interest: $8,000 at average rate 0.87 = €6,960
- Year 1 payment: $26,000 at spot rate 0.88 = €22,880
- Closing liability in USD: $82,000
- Year-end closing rate: 0.85 EUR/USD
- Closing liability at closing rate: $82,000 × 0.85 = €69,700
The full liability movement reconciliation:
| Opening liability | €90,000 |
| Interest expense (average rate) | €6,960 |
| Lease payment (spot rate) | (€22,880) |
| Foreign exchange gain | (€4,380) |
| Closing liability (closing rate) | €69,700 |
The €4,380 FX gain arises because EUR strengthened during the year. The liability is worth fewer euros at the closing rate than it would have been based on the rates used for interest and payment transactions.
Income Statement Volatility
Large foreign currency lease portfolios can introduce significant exchange rate volatility into the income statement. This is often an unexpected consequence of IFRS 16 adoption for multinational groups with cross-border leases.
Depreciation of Foreign Currency ROU Assets
In the entity's functional currency books, the right-of-use asset is a non-monetary item measured at historical cost. It is not retranslated, and depreciation is calculated based on the historical rate at which the asset was initially recorded. No foreign exchange differences arise on the asset itself. (When translating to a presentation currency, depreciation is treated like any other income statement item and translated at the average rate or transaction-date rate.)
Example: ROU Asset Depreciation
- ROU asset cost: $100,000 at commencement spot rate 0.90 EUR/USD = €90,000
- Lease term: 5 years, straight-line depreciation
- Annual depreciation: €90,000 ÷ 5 = €18,000 per year
The depreciation charge remains €18,000 regardless of subsequent exchange rate movements. The asset carrying value at year 1 end is €72,000 (€90,000 - €18,000).
No forex on ROU asset (cost model): Under the cost model, the right-of-use asset is non-monetary, so no foreign exchange differences arise on the asset itself. All forex impacts flow through the lease liability. If the right-of-use asset is subsequently measured at fair value or on a revalued basis, IAS 21 requires translation using the exchange rate at the date that fair value or the revalued amount is determined, rather than leaving the asset at its original historical rate.
Translation to Presentation Currency
When an entity's presentation currency differs from its functional currency, a second level of translation is required for group reporting. IAS 21 provides the rules for non-hyperinflationary economies:
| Item | Translation Rule |
|---|---|
| Assets and liabilities | Closing rate at reporting date |
| Income and expenses | Average rate for the period |
| Resulting difference | Other comprehensive income (FCTR) |
Foreign Currency Translation Reserve (FCTR)
When translating to presentation currency, a difference arises primarily from translating income and expenses at transaction-date rates while assets and liabilities use the closing rate, and from retranslating opening net assets at a different closing rate. This difference is recognised in Other Comprehensive Income as part of the Foreign Currency Translation Reserve.
Example: Translation to Presentation Currency
A EUR subsidiary reports to a GBP parent. Exchange rates:
- Opening EUR:GBP = 0.89
- Average EUR:GBP = 0.87
- Closing EUR:GBP = 0.85
| ROU Asset Movement | Rate | EUR | GBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening balance | Opening (0.89) | €90,000 | £80,100 |
| Depreciation | Average (0.87) | (€18,000) | (£15,660) |
| FCTR adjustment | N/A | - | (£3,240) |
| Closing balance | Closing (0.85) | €72,000 | £61,200 |
The £3,240 FCTR adjustment represents the exchange difference on translation to presentation currency.
Modifications and Remeasurements
When a foreign currency lease is modified or remeasured, IFRS 16 first determines the remeasurement in the lease currency, and IAS 21 then determines the exchange rate used to translate the revised amount into the functional currency.
Key Points
- Spot rate at modification date: The remeasured lease liability is translated at the spot rate on the date the modification takes effect, not the original commencement rate
- Discount rate in lease currency: The revised discount rate should reflect borrowing conditions in the currency of the lease payments. For a USD lease, use a USD borrowing rate at the modification date
- ROU asset adjustment: The adjustment to the ROU asset (from the liability remeasurement) is recorded in the functional currency at the spot rate on the modification date. This becomes the new historical rate for that portion of the asset
- Ongoing translation: After modification, the revised liability continues to be retranslated at each closing rate, creating further FX differences in profit or loss
Added Complexity
Modifications on foreign currency leases require tracking two rates: the revised discount rate in the lease currency and the spot exchange rate at the modification date. Combined with the ongoing retranslation of the liability, this is one of the most operationally complex areas of IFRS 16.
For general modification accounting (before considering FX), see our Modifications & Terminations guide. For remeasurement triggers, see our Remeasurement guide.
Practical Considerations
Managing Forex Complexity
Foreign currency leases create ongoing complexity that requires careful management:
When the Discount Rate Currency Matters
The incremental borrowing rate should reflect the currency of the lease payments. A USD-denominated lease should use a USD borrowing rate, not a rate converted from the entity's functional currency.
Simplification
Consider whether hedging the lease payments might reduce income statement volatility. While not required, some entities use forward contracts or other instruments to manage forex exposure on significant foreign currency leases.
Summary: Exchange Rate Application
| Stage | Item | Rate | Forex Impact Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| To Functional Currency | Initial ROU asset (cost model) | Spot at commencement (or prepayment date) | None (frozen) |
| Initial lease liability | Spot at commencement | None (at recognition) | |
| Lease liability (ongoing) | Closing rate | Profit or loss | |
| Interest expense | Transaction-date rate (average as approximation) | N/A | |
| Depreciation | Historical rate | N/A | |
| To Presentation Currency | All assets/liabilities | Closing rate | OCI (FCTR) |
| All income/expenses | Transaction-date rates (average as approximation) | OCI (FCTR) |
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute accounting, legal or professional advice.