COMBINEDCARVE-OUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE UTILITIES OPERATIONS OF
BROOKFIELD INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERS L.P.
NOTES TO COMBINEDCARVE-OUT FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
As of December 31, 2019, and 2018 and for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017
remains largely unchanged and the distinction between operating and finance leases is retained. IFRS 16 supersedes IAS 17, Leases (“IAS 17”) and related interpretations and is effective for periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019.
The Business adopted the standard using a modified retrospective approach, whereby any transitional impact is recorded in equity as at January 1, 2019, and comparative periods are not restated. The adoption of IFRS 16 resulted in the recognition of lease liabilities that are recorded in accounts payable and other, other liabilities, andright-of-use assets, or ROU, that are classified as property, plant, and equipment of $3.0 million. The adoption of IFRS 16 did not have an impact on equity at the date of adoption.
IFRIC 23 Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments (“IFRIC 23”)
In June 2017, the IASB published IFRIC 23, effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The interpretation requires an entity to assess whether it is probable that a tax authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment used, or proposed to be used, by an entity in its income tax filings and to exercise judgment in determining whether each tax treatment should be considered independently or whether some tax treatments should be considered together. The decision should be based on which approach provides better predictions of the resolution of the uncertainty. An entity also has to consider whether it is probable that the relevant authority will accept each tax treatment, or group of tax treatments, assuming that the taxation authority with the right to examine any amounts reported to it will examine those amounts and will have full knowledge of all relevant information when doing so. The interpretation may be applied on either a fully retrospective basis or a modified retrospective basis without restatement of comparative information. The Business has adopted the interpretation as of January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Business’ combinedcarve-out financial statements.
IFRS 3 Business Combinations (“IFRS 3”)
In October 2018, the IASB issued an amendment to IFRS 3, effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2020. The amendment clarifies the definition of a business and assists companies in determining whether an acquisition is a business combination or an acquisition of a group of assets. The amendment emphasizes that to be considered a business, an acquired set of activities and assets must include an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. Effective January 1, 2019, the Business has early adopted the standard prospectively. The adoption did not have a significant impact on the Business’ combinedcarve-out financial statements.
After the adoption of IFRS 3 amendments, the Business continues to account for business combinations in which control is acquired under the acquisition method. When an acquisition is made, the Business considers the inputs, processes and outputs of the acquiree in assessing whether it meets the definition of a business. When the acquired set of activities and assets lack a substantive process in place but will be integrated into the Business’ existing operations, the acquisition ceases to meet the definition of a business and is accounted for as an asset acquisition. Assets acquired through asset acquisitions are initially measured at cost, which includes the transaction costs incurred for the acquisitions. Acquisitions that continue to meet the definition of a business combination are accounted for under the same acquisition method.
NOTE 4. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The fair value of a financial instrument is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair values are