Investopedia

Continue to Site »

Bargain Purchase Option

Filed Under » , ,
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Bargain Purchase Option'

An option in a lease agreement that allows the lessee to purchase the leased asset at the end of the lease period at a price substantially below its fair market value. The bargain purchase option is one of four criteria, any one of which, if satisfied, would require the lease to be classified as a capital or financing lease that must be disclosed on the lessee's balance sheet. The objective of this classification is to prevent "off-balance sheet" financing by the lessee.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Bargain Purchase Option'

For example, assume that the value of an asset at the end of the lease period is estimated at $100,000, but the lease agreement has an option that enables the lessee to purchase it for $70,000. This would be considered as a bargain purchase option and would require the lessee to treat the lease as a capital lease.

There are significant differences in the accounting treatment of the leased asset and lease payments for capital leases and operating leases.

Articles Of Interest

  1.

    Should You Buy Property On Leased Land?

    Find out what to consider before investing in a leased-land property.

  2. Rent-To-Own Real Estate Full Of Pitfalls

    Before you consider this type of arrangement, you should be aware of how it works, who benefits and the many things that can go wrong.

  3. 5 Tricks Companies Use During Earnings Season

    Don't be fooled: Companies use all kinds of tactics to make bad earnings look good. Find out how to see through them.

  4. Why might a bond agreement limit the amount of assets that the firm can lease?

    Bond covenants can limit the amount of leases a company can have because leasing contracts are a form of debt. Taking on more debt is a form of risk in the eyes of the bondholders, and therefore ...

  5. Uncovering Hidden Debt

    Understand how financing through operating leases, synthetic leases, and securitizations affects companies' image of performance.

  6. Depreciation: Straight-Line Vs. Double-Declining Methods

    Appreciate the different methods used to describe how book value is "used up".

  7. Financial Statement: Extraordinary Vs. Nonrecurring Items

    When it comes to analyzing a company, successful analysts spend considerable time differentiating between accounting items that are likely to recur going forward from those that most likely will ...

  8. Get A Career In Showbiz Accounting

    An accounting career doesn't have to be boring. If you love numbers, but want excitement as well, consider the field of showbiz accounting.

  9. What Management Accountants Do

    If you like keeping track of a company's income and expenses but also want to hold a position with significant responsibility and authority, management accounting could be the job for you.

  10. The Basics Of A Financial Analysis Report

    Running financial analysis on a company or industry is a key skill every investor must learn and understand how to undertake without which an ineffective financial report and investment recommendation ...
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions

  1. Disaster Loss

    A special type of tax-deductible loss, similar to a casualty loss, where a loss has been incurred by taxpayers who reside in an area that has been designated as a federal disaster area by the President.

  2. Fool In The Shower

    The notion that changes or policies designed to alter the course of the economy should be done slowly, rather than all at once.

  3. Pattern Day Trader

    An SEC designation for traders who trade the same security four or more times per day (buys and sells) over a five-day period, and for whom same-day trades make up at least 6% of their activity for that period.

  4. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.

  5. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.

  6. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.
Trading Center