Low-Value Asset Exemption
Related terms
Category
ASC 842
The low-value asset exemption allows lessees to exclude leases of low-value underlying assets from balance sheet recognition. IFRS 16 sets the threshold at approximately $5,000 when the asset is new. ASC 842 does not provide a specific low-value exemption. US GAAP uses the short-term lease exemption instead.
Why it matters
The low-value asset exemption reduces compliance burden for immaterial leases. office printers, laptops, small furniture. Without it, every $200/month printer lease would require balance sheet recognition, ROU asset calculation, and amortization schedules. The exemption applies on a lease-by-lease basis, so organizations must still identify and classify these leases even if they elect not to capitalize them.
Lease accounting platforms track the low-value exemption and ensure that leases exceeding the threshold are automatically brought onto the balance sheet.
How Arvexi handles this
Arvexi flags leases that qualify for the low-value exemption during extraction and classification. The platform tracks exempt leases separately for disclosure purposes. IFRS 16 requires quantitative disclosure of expenses from low-value leases even when they are not recognized on the balance sheet.
Explore how Arvexi automates this: Document Intelligence · Lease Accounting