| SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. (“we”, “the Company” or “Kyndryl”) is a leading technology services company and the largest infrastructure services provider in the world, serving as a partner to more than 4,000 customers whose operations span over 100 countries. Prior to November 3, 2021, the Company was wholly owned by International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”, “Parent” or “former Parent”). In October 2021, the Board of Directors of IBM approved the spin-off (the “Separation” or the “Spin-off”) of the infrastructure services unit (the “Kyndryl Businesses”) of its Global Technology Services (“GTS”) segment through the distribution of shares of Kyndryl’s common stock to IBM stockholders. In conjunction with the Separation, Kyndryl underwent an internal reorganization following which it became the holder, directly or through its subsidiaries, of the Kyndryl Businesses. On November 3, 2021, the Separation was achieved through the Parent’s pro rata distribution of 80.1% of the shares of common stock of Kyndryl to holders of the Parent’s common stock as of the close of business on the record date of October 25, 2021. The Parent retained 19.9% of the shares of the Company’s common stock upon the Spin-off. The Parent’s stockholders of record received one Basis of Presentation Prior to the Separation on November 3, 2021 (the “pre-Separation periods”) Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts. Certain items have been recast to conform to current-period presentation. Principles of Consolidation For the pre-Separation periods, the accompanying financial statements were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of the Parent as if the Company operated on a standalone basis during the periods presented and were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. All significant intercompany transactions during the pre-Separation periods between Kyndryl and IBM have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Intercompany transactions between Kyndryl and IBM were considered to be effectively settled in the consolidated financial statements at the time the transaction was recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected as Net transfers from Parent in the financing activities section in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within Net Parent investment. After the Separation on November 3, 2021, the Company’s consolidated financial statements are based on our reported results as a standalone company. All significant transactions and intercompany accounts between Kyndryl entities were eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts that are reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Estimates are used in determining the following, among others: revenue, costs to complete service contracts, income taxes, pension assumptions, valuation of assets including goodwill and intangible assets, the depreciable and amortizable lives of long-lived assets, loss contingencies, allowance for credit losses, deferred transition costs and other matters. Estimates were also used in determining the allocation of costs and expenses from IBM for the pre-Separation periods. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and actions that the Company may undertake in the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may be different from these estimates. Transition Period On January 27, 2022, the Board of Directors of Kyndryl approved a change to the fiscal year-end of the Company from December 31 to March 31. The Company’s 2023 fiscal year began on April 1, 2022 and will end on March 31, 2023. The Company filed a Transition Report on Form 10-QT for the period of January 1 to March 31, 2022 with the SEC on May 13, 2022. | NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of Business Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. (“we”, “the Company” or “Kyndryl”) is a leading technology services company and the largest infrastructure services provider in the world, serving as a partner to more than 4,000 customers whose operations span over 100 countries. Prior to November 3, 2021, the Company was wholly owned by International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”, “Parent” or “former Parent”). In October 2021, the Board of Directors of IBM approved the spin-off (the “Separation” or the “Spin-off”) of the infrastructure services unit (the “Kyndryl Businesses”) of its Global Technology Services (“GTS”) segment through the distribution of shares of Kyndryl’s common stock to IBM stockholders. In conjunction with the Distribution, Kyndryl underwent an internal reorganization following which it became the holder, directly or through its subsidiaries, of the Kyndryl Businesses. On November 3, 2021, the Separation was achieved through the Parent’s pro rata distribution of 80.1% of the shares of common stock of Kyndryl to holders of the Parent’s common stock as of the close of business on the record date of October 25, 2021. The Parent retained 19.9% of the shares of the Company’s common stock. The Parent’s stockholders of record received one Basis of Presentation Prior to the Separation on November 3, 2021 (the “pre-Separation periods”) Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts. Certain items have been recast to conform to current-period presentation. Principles of Consolidation For the pre-Separation periods, the accompanying financial statements were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of the Parent as if the Company operated on a standalone basis during the periods presented and were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. All significant intercompany transactions during the pre-Separation periods between Kyndryl and IBM have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Intercompany transactions between Kyndryl and IBM were considered to be effectively settled in the consolidated financial statements at the time the transaction was recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected as Net transfers from Parent in the financing activities section in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within Net Parent investment. After the Separation on November 3, 2021, the Company’s consolidated financial statements are based on our reported results as a standalone company. All significant transactions and accounts within Kyndryl were eliminated. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts that are reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Estimates are used in determining the following, among others: revenue, costs to complete service contracts, income taxes, pension assumptions, valuation of assets including goodwill and intangible assets, the depreciable and amortizable lives of long-lived assets, loss contingencies, allowance for credit losses, deferred transition costs and other matters. Estimates were also used in determining the allocation of costs and expenses from IBM for the pre-Separation periods. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and actions that the Company may undertake in the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may be different from these estimates. Transition Period On January 27, 2022, the Board of Directors of Kyndryl approved a change to the fiscal year-end of the Company from December 31 to March 31. This is our transition report for the period from January 1, 2022, to March 31, 2022. The Company’s 2023 fiscal year began on April 1, 2022, and will end on March 31, 2023. | NOTE 1. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Kyndryl’s Spin-off Kyndryl Holdings, Inc. (“we”, “the Company” or “Kyndryl”) is a leading technology services company and the largest infrastructure services provider in the world, serving as a partner to more than 4,000 customers whose operations span over 100 countries. Prior to November 3, 2021, the Company was wholly owned by International Business Machines Corporation (“IBM”, “Parent” or “former Parent”). In October 2021, the Board of Directors of IBM approved the spin-off (the “Separation” or the “Spin-off”) of the infrastructure services unit (the “Kyndryl Businesses”) of its Global Technology Services (“GTS”) segment through the distribution of shares of Kyndryl’s common stock to IBM stockholders. In conjunction with the Distribution, Kyndryl underwent an internal reorganization following which it became the holder, directly or through its subsidiaries, of the Kyndryl Businesses. On October 12, 2021, Kyndryl’s registration statement on Form 10, as amended, was declared effective by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). On November 3, 2021, the Separation was achieved through the Parent’s pro rata distribution of 80.1% of the shares of common stock of Kyndryl to holders of the Parent’s common stock as of the close of business on the record date of October 25, 2021. The Parent retained 19.9% of the shares of the Company’s common stock. The Parent’s stockholders of record received one Description of Business Our purpose is to design, build and manage secure and responsive private, public and multicloud environments to accelerate our customers’ digital transformations. We have a long track record of helping enterprises navigate major technological changes, particularly by enabling our customers to focus on the core aspects of their businesses during these shifts while trusting us with their most critical systems. We provide engineering talent, operating paradigms and insights derived from our data around IT patterns. This enables us to deliver advisory, implementation and managed services at scale across technology infrastructures that allow our customers to de-risk and realize the full value of their digital transformations. We do this while embracing new technologies and solutions and continually expanding our skills and capabilities, as we help advance the vital systems that power progress for our customers. We deliver transformation and secure cloud services capabilities, insights and depth of expertise to modernize and manage IT environments based on our customers’ unique patterns of transformation at scale. We offer services across domains such as cloud services, core enterprise and zCloud services, applications, data and artificial intelligence services, digital workplace services, security and resiliency services and network and edge services as we continue to support our customers through technological change. Our services enable us to modernize and manage cloud and on-premise environments as “one” for our customers, enabling them to scale seamlessly. To deliver these services, we rely on our global team of skilled practitioners, consisting of approximately 90,000 professionals. Basis of Presentation We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which requires us to make estimates and assumptions that impact the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. We prepared these estimates based on the most current and best available information, but actual results could differ materially from these estimates and assumptions, particularly in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has had and we expect will continue to have, significant effects on economic activity, on demand for our services and on our results of operations in 2022. The financial statements and footnotes for the annual periods ending December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the period from January 1 through November 3, 2021 (the “pre-Separation periods”) reflect allocations of certain IBM corporate, infrastructure and shared services expenses using a variety of allocation methodologies that are appropriate for the type of allocated expense. Where possible, these charges were allocated based on direct usage, with the remainder allocated on a pro rata basis of headcount, gross profit, asset or other allocation methodologies that are considered to be a reasonable reflection of the utilization of services provided or the benefit received by Kyndryl during the periods presented. The Consolidated Balance Sheet of the Company for the pre-Separation periods includes assets and liabilities of IBM that are specifically identifiable or otherwise attributable to the Company, including subsidiaries and/or joint ventures (“JVs”) conducting managed infrastructure services business in which IBM had a controlling financial interest or was the primary beneficiary. Certain of these subsidiaries and JVs were historically managed by IBM’s GTS segment but not transferred to Kyndryl in conjunction with the Separation. The JVs’ balance sheet balances, revenues, costs, expenses and cash flow activities were recorded in the consolidated financial statements during the pre-Separation periods. The JVs’ balance sheet amounts were settled through Net Parent investment on the Separation date, and their business activities were no longer recorded in the Consolidated Income Statement and Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow after the Separation date. Cash and cash equivalents held by IBM at the corporate level during the pre-Separation periods were not attributable to the Company for any of the periods presented due to IBM’s centralized approach to cash management and the financing of its operations. Only cash amounts specifically held by Kyndryl are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. IBM’s debt was not attributed to the Company for any of the periods presented because IBM’s borrowings are not the legal obligation of Kyndryl. The only third-party debt obligations included in the consolidated financial statements are those for which the legal obligor is a legal entity of Kyndryl. Interest expense for the pre-Separation periods in the Consolidated Income Statement reflects the allocation of interest on borrowing and funding related activity associated with the portion of IBM’s borrowings where the proceeds benefited us. Transfers of cash, both to and from IBM’s centralized cash management system prior to Separation, are reflected as a component of Net Parent investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and as financing activities in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. In addition, Net Parent investment in the Consolidated Balance Sheet represents the accumulation of the Company’s net income (loss) over time and net non-trade intercompany transactions between Kyndryl and IBM (for example, investments from IBM or distributions to IBM). As a result of the allocations and carve-out methodologies used to prepare the consolidated financial statements for the pre-Separation periods, the results may not be indicative of the Company’s future performance, and may not reflect the results of operations, financial position and cash flows Kyndryl would have achieved if it had been a separate, standalone company during the pre-Separation periods. The income tax provision included in these consolidated financial statements for the pre-Separation periods was calculated using the separate return basis, as if Kyndryl filed separate tax returns. The calculation of income taxes on a hypothetical separate return basis requires a considerable amount of judgment and use of both estimates and allocations; pre-Separation current and deferred taxes may not be reflective of the actual tax balances subsequent to the Separation. Current income tax liabilities including amounts for unrecognized tax benefits related to Kyndryl’s activities included in the Parent’s income tax returns were assumed to be immediately settled with Parent through the Net Parent investment account in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and reflected in Net transfers from Parent in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows during these periods. Certain items have been recast to conform to current period presentation. Consolidation For the pre-Separation periods, the accompanying financial statements of Kyndryl were derived from the consolidated financial statements and accounting records of the Parent as if the Company operated on a standalone basis during the periods presented and were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Historically, the Company consisted of the managed infrastructure services unit of the Parent’s Global Technology Services segment and did not operate as a separate standalone company. Accordingly, the Parent had reported the financial position and results of operations, cash flows and changes in equity of the Company in the Parent’s consolidated financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions during the pre-Separation periods between Kyndryl and IBM have been included in the consolidated financial statements. Intercompany transactions between Kyndryl and IBM are considered to be effectively settled in the consolidated financial statements at the time the transaction is recorded. The total net effect of the settlement of these intercompany transactions is reflected as Net transfers from Parent in the financing activities section in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and in the Consolidated Balance Sheet within Net Parent investment. After the Separation on November 3, 2021, the Company’s financial statements for the periods from November 4, 2021, through December 31, 2021, are consolidated financial statements based on our reported results as a standalone company. All significant transactions and accounts within Kyndryl were eliminated. All significant intercompany transactions between IBM and Kyndryl prior to the Separation were included within Net Parent investment on the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements. Within the financial statements and tables presented, certain columns and rows may not add due to the use of rounded numbers for disclosure purposes. Percentages presented are calculated from the underlying whole-dollar amounts. Certain items have been recast to conform to current-period presentation. Dollars are in millions except where otherwise noted. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts that are reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Estimates are used in determining the allocation of costs and expenses from IBM and are used in determining the following, among others: revenue, costs to complete service contracts, income taxes, pension assumptions, valuation of assets including goodwill and intangible assets, the depreciable and amortizable lives of other long-lived assets, loss contingencies, allowance for credit losses, deferred transition costs and other matters. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and actions that the Company may undertake in the future and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, including the macroeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic (beginning in 2020). Actual results may be different from these estimates. Revenue The Company accounts for a contract with a client when it has written approval, the contract is committed, the rights of the parties, including payment terms, are identified, the contract has commercial substance and consideration is probable of collection. Revenue is recognized when, or as, control of a promised service or product transfers to a client, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring those products or services. If the consideration promised in a contract includes a variable amount, the Company estimates the amount to which it expects to be entitled using either the expected value or most likely amount method. The Company’s contracts may include terms that could cause variability in the transaction price, including, for example, rebates, volume discounts, service-level penalties and performance bonuses or other forms of variable consideration. In certain rare circumstances, if we grant the customer the right to return a product and receive a full or partial credit or refund of any consideration paid, the Company (i) recognizes revenue for the transferred products in the amount of consideration to which it expects to be entitled, (ii) records a refund liability and (iii) recognizes an asset for its right to recover products from customers on settling the refund liability. The Company only includes estimated amounts in the transaction price to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is resolved. The Company may not be able to reliably estimate variable consideration in certain long-term arrangements due to uncertainties that are not expected to be resolved for a long period of time or when the Company’s experience with similar types of contracts is limited. Changes in estimates of variable consideration are included in Note 3 – Revenue Recognition. The Company’s standard billing terms are that payment is due upon receipt of invoice, payable within 30 days. Invoices are generally issued as services are rendered and/or as control transfers, either at monthly or quarterly intervals or upon achievement of contractual milestones. In some services contracts, the Company bills the client prior to recognizing revenue from performing the services. In these cases, deferred income is presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. In other services contracts, the Company performs the services prior to billing the client. When the Company performs services prior to billing the client, the right to consideration is typically subject to milestone completion or client acceptance and the amount is recorded as a contract asset. Contract assets are generally classified as current and are recorded on a net basis with deferred income (i.e., contract liabilities) at the contract level. Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for contract assets for the periods presented. Contract assets are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The unconditional unbilled accounts receivable of $454 million and $358 million at December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively, is included in accounts receivable in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Additionally, in determining the transaction price, the Company would adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of the time value of money if the billing terms are not standard and the timing of payments agreed to by the parties to the contract provide the client or the Company with a significant benefit of financing, in which case the contract contains a significant financing component. As a practical expedient, the Company does not account for significant financing components if the period between when the Company transfers the promised product or service to the client and when the client pays for that product or service will be one year or less. The Company may include subcontractor services or Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) hardware and/or OEM software components in certain integrated services arrangements. In these types of arrangements, revenue from sales of OEM hardware and/or OEM software components or services is recorded net of costs when the Company is acting as an agent between the client and the vendor and gross when the Company is the principal for the transaction. To determine whether the Company is an agent or principal, the Company considers whether it obtains control of the products or services before they are transferred to the customer. In making this evaluation, several factors are considered, most notably whether the Company has primary responsibility for fulfillment to the client, as well as inventory risk and pricing discretion. The Company reports revenue net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions. Performance Obligations The Company’s capabilities as an infrastructure services company include offerings that often encompass multiple types of services and may integrate various OEM hardware and/or OEM software components. When an arrangement contains multiple distinct performance obligations, revenue follows the specific revenue recognition policies for each performance obligation, depending on the type of offering. The Company determines if the products or services are distinct and allocates the consideration to each distinct performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. When products and services are not distinct, the Company determines an appropriate measure of progress based on the nature of its overall promise for the single performance obligation. The revenue policies below are applied to each performance obligation, as applicable. Standalone Selling Price The Company allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation on a relative standalone selling price basis. The standalone selling price (SSP) is the price at which the Company would sell a promised product or service separately to a client. The Company establishes SSP based on management’s estimated selling price or observable prices of products or services sold separately in comparable circumstances to similar clients. For OEM hardware and/or OEM software components, the Company is able to establish SSP based on the cost from the vendor. The Company reassesses SSP ranges on a periodic basis or when facts and circumstances change. In certain instances, the Company may not be able to establish a SSP range based on observable prices and the Company estimates SSP. The Company estimates SSP by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, overall market conditions, including geographic or regional specific factors, competitive positioning, competitor actions, internal costs, profit objectives and pricing practices. Estimating SSP is a formal process that includes review and approval by the Company’s management. Nature of Products and Services The Company delivers transformation and secure cloud services capabilities, insights and depth of expertise to modernize and manage IT environments based on its customers’ unique patterns of transformation at scale. The Company offers services such as cloud managed services, data services, security and resiliency services, enterprise infrastructure services, digital workplace services, network services, managed Independent Software Vendor services and distributed cloud services to support its customers through technological change. Many of these services can be delivered entirely or partially through cloud or as-a-service delivery models. The Company’s services are provided on a time-and-material basis, as a fixed-price contract or as a fixed-price-per-measure-of-output contract, and the contract terms range from less than one year to over 10 years. The Company typically satisfies the performance obligation and recognizes revenue over time in services arrangements because the client simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided as the Company performs the services. In outsourcing, other managed services, application management and other cloud-based services arrangements, the Company determines whether the services performed during the initial phases of the arrangement, such as setup activities, are distinct. In most cases, the arrangement is a single performance obligation comprised of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer (i.e., distinct days of service). The Company applies a measure of progress (typically time-based) to any fixed consideration and allocates variable consideration to the distinct periods of service based on usage. As a result, revenue is generally recognized over the period the services are provided on a usage basis. This results in revenue recognition that corresponds with the value to the client of the services transferred to date relative to the remaining services promised. Revenue from time-and-material contracts is recognized on an output basis as labor hours are delivered and/or direct expenses are incurred. Revenue from as-a-service type contracts is recognized either on a straight-line basis or on a usage basis, depending on the terms of the arrangement (such as whether the Company is standing ready to perform or whether the contract has usage-based metrics). If an as-a-service contract includes setup activities, those promises in the arrangement are evaluated to determine if they are distinct. In design and build arrangements, revenue is recognized based on progress toward completion of the performance obligation using a cost-to-cost measure of progress (e.g., labor costs incurred to date as a percentage of the total estimated labor costs to fulfill the contract). The estimation of cost at completion is complex, subject to many variables and requires significant judgment. Changes in original estimates are reflected in revenue on a cumulative catch-up basis in the period in which the circumstances that gave rise to the revision become known by the Company. Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for the amount of revenue recognized in the reporting period on a cumulative catch-up basis (i.e., from performance obligations satisfied, or partially satisfied, in previous periods). The Company performs ongoing profitability analyses of its design and build services contracts accounted for using a cost-to-cost measure of progress to determine whether the latest estimates of revenues, costs and profits require updating. If at any time these estimates indicate that the contract will be unprofitable, the entire estimated loss for the remainder of the contract is recorded immediately. For other types of services contracts, any losses are recorded as incurred. The Company’s services offerings may include the integration and/or sale of OEM hardware and/or software components. Contracts that include hardware and/or software components are evaluated to determine if they are distinct performance obligations as discussed in “Performance Obligations” above. Further, the Company assesses contracts with customers to determine whether an embedded lease arrangement exists. A contract with a customer includes an embedded lease when the Company grants the customer a right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. Generally, the hardware or software utilized in outsourcing, managed services, application management and other cloud-based services arrangements are not distinct and do not meet the criteria to be considered an embedded lease. As a result, revenue is generally recognized over time, consistent with the services provided to the customer. For distinct OEM hardware sales, revenue is recognized when control has transferred to the customer which typically occurs when the hardware has been shipped to the client, risk of loss has transferred to the client and the Company has a present right to payment for the hardware. Arrangements that include a license to the software are determined to have distinct software components. To meet this criterion, the customer must have both the contractual right to take possession of the software at any time and the ability to feasibly run the software on its own hardware or hire another party to host the software without significant economic or functional penalty. Revenue for distinct software is typically recognized at the beginning of the services arrangement as that is the point in time the customer can access and benefit from the software and the point at which they have a legal right to possession. Cost of Services Recurring operating costs for services contracts are recognized as incurred. Certain eligible, nonrecurring costs (i.e., setup costs) incurred in the initial phases of outsourcing contracts and other cloud-based services contracts, are capitalized when the costs relate directly to the contract, the costs generate or enhance resources of the Company that will be used in satisfying the performance obligation in the future and the costs are expected to be recovered. These costs consist of transition and setup costs related to the installation of systems and processes and other deferred fulfillment costs, including, for example, prepaid assets used in services contracts (i.e., prepaid software or prepaid maintenance). Capitalized costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of benefit, which approximates the pattern of transfer to the client of the services to which the asset relates and includes anticipated contract renewals or extensions. Additionally, fixed assets associated with these contracts are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful life of the asset and recorded in cost of sales. If an asset is contract-specific and cannot be repurposed, then the depreciation period is the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the contract term. Setup costs paid on behalf of clients in excess of the fair value of services delivered in outsourcing arrangements are deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis as a reduction of revenue over the expected period of benefit. The Company performs periodic reviews to assess the recoverability of deferred contract transition and setup costs. If the carrying amount is deemed not recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized. Refer to Note 3 – Revenue Recognition for the amount of deferred costs to fulfill a contract at December 31, 2021 and 2020. In situations in which an outsourcing contract is terminated, the terms of the contract may require the client to reimburse the Company for the recovery of unbilled accounts receivable, unamortized deferred contract costs and additional costs incurred by the Company to transition the services. Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract Incremental costs of obtaining a contract (e.g., sales commissions) are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis, which approximates the pattern that the assets’ economic benefits are expected to be consumed, over the expected customer relationship period if the Company expects to recover those costs. The expected customer relationship period is determined based on the average customer relationship period, including expected renewals, for each offering type and ranges from three Expense and Other (Income) Expense and other income within the Company’s financial statements through the Separation reflect allocations to the Company by IBM based on direct usage, with the remainder allocated on a pro-rata basis of gross profit, headcount, assets or other measures the Company has determined as reasonable. Expense and other income within the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the periods from November 4, 2021, through December 31, 2021, are based on our reported results as a standalone company. Selling, General and Administrative Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense is charged to income as incurred, except for certain sales commissions, which are capitalized and amortized. For further information regarding capitalizing sales commissions, see “Incremental Costs of Obtaining a Contract” above. Expenses of promoting and selling services are classified as selling expense and, in addition to sales commissions, include such items as compensation, advertising and travel. General and administrative expense includes such items as compensation, legal costs, office supplies, non-income taxes, insurance and office rental. In addition, general and administrative expense includes other operating items such as allowance for credit losses, amortization of certain intangible assets and research, development and engineering (“RD&E”) costs allocated to the Company by the former Parent. Total RD&E costs allocated to Kyndryl were $63 million, $76 million and $83 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019. Advertising and Promotional Expense Advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and promotional expense, which includes media, agency and promotional expense directly incurred by the Company was $56 million, $34 million and $55 million in 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and is recorded in SG&A expense in the Consolidated Income Statement. Other (Income) and Expense Other (income) and expense primarily consists of expense related to certain components of retirement-related costs, including interest costs, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs (credits), curtailments and settlements and other net periodic benefit costs. Also included are gains and losses from foreign currency transactions, certain real estate transactions and corporate expenses. For more information, see Note 17 – Related-Party Transactions. Defined Benefit Pension and Nonpension Postretirement Benefit Plans Prior to the Separation, the defined benefit plans and nonpension postretirement benefit plans in which certain Kyndryl employees participated were sponsored by IBM. During this period, an allocation of certain assets and liabilities was reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet based on legal entities, and the Consolidated Income Statement reflected a proportional allocation of net period benefit cost based on headcount associated with the Company. In September 2021, in preparation for the Separation, certain defined benefit plans and nonpension postretirement benefit plans were amended, and Kyndryl became sponsor or co-sponsor (with IBM) of these plans. Refer to Note 16 – Retirement-Related Benefits for further details on the accounting for these plans. As a result of the amendment of these plans to make Kyndryl sponsor or co-sponsor in September 2021, the funded status of these plans became recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation at the balance sheet date. For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation (PBO), which represents the actuarial present value of benefits expected to be paid upon retirement based on employee services already rendered and estimated future compensation levels. For nonpension postretirement benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (APBO), which represents the actuarial present value of postretirement benefits attributed to employee services already rendered. The fair value of plan assets represents the current market value of assets held for the benefit of participants. For co-sponsored plans, the fair value of plan assets based on Company contributions, distributions and market returns and the benefit obligation attributed to employees of the Company are allocated to Kyndryl. Overfunded plans, in which the fair value of plan assets exceeds the benefit obligation, are aggregated and recorded as a prepaid pension asset equal to this excess. Underfunded plans, in which the benefit obligation exceeds the fair value of plan assets, are aggregated and recorded as a retirement and nonpension postretirement benefit obligation equal to this excess. The current portion of the retirement and nonpension post-retirement benefit obligations represents the actuarial present value of benefits payable in the next twelve months exceeding the fair value of plan assets, measured on a plan-by-plan basis. This obligation is recorded in accrued compensation and benefits in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension and nonpension postretirement benefit plans is recorded in the Consolidated Income Statement and includes service cost, interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service costs/(credits) and actuarial (gains)/losses previously recognized as a component of other comprehensive income/(loss) (OCI). The service cost component of net benefit cost is recorded in Cost of services |
