leasingschuld

Leasingschuld, often translated as lease liability, refers to the financial obligation incurred by a lessee when entering into a lease agreement. Under accounting standards, particularly IFRS 16 and ASC 842, most leases are now recognized on the balance sheet. This means the lessee records a right-of-use asset representing their right to use the leased item and a corresponding lease liability representing their obligation to make lease payments over the lease term.

The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the future lease payments. These payments typically include fixed amounts, variable payments dependent on an index or rate, and any residual value guarantees. The discount rate used for this present value calculation is usually the lessee's incremental borrowing rate, or the interest rate implicit in the lease if that is readily determinable.

Over time, the lease liability is reduced as lease payments are made. A portion of each payment is allocated to reducing the principal of the liability, while another portion represents interest expense, which is recognized in the income statement. The right-of-use asset is then amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the useful life of the underlying asset. Understanding leasingschuld is crucial for accurately assessing a company's financial position and its leverage.