Temporary exemption arising from interest rate benchmark reform (AASB16_02-16_COMPapr21_07-21)

A lessee shall apply paragraphs 105–106 to all lease modifications that change the basis for determining future lease payments as a result of interest rate benchmark reform (see paragraphs 5.4.6 and 5.4.8 of AASB 9). These paragraphs apply only to such lease modifications. For this purpose, the term ‘interest rate benchmark reform’ refers to the market-wide reform of an interest rate benchmark as described in paragraph 6.8.2 of AASB 9.

As a practical expedient, a lessee shall apply paragraph 42 to account for a lease modification required by interest rate benchmark reform. This practical expedient applies only to such modifications. For this purpose, a lease modification is required by interest rate benchmark reform if, and only if, both of these conditions are met:

(a)            the modification is necessary as a direct consequence of interest rate benchmark reform; and

(b)            the new basis for determining the lease payments is economically equivalent to the previous basis (ie the basis immediately preceding the modification).

However, if lease modifications are made in addition to those lease modifications required by interest rate benchmark reform, a lessee shall apply the applicable requirements in this Standard to account for all lease modifications made at the same time, including those required by interest rate benchmark reform.