Contract cost, amortization period

[Table of Contents](#i89c3c9328e454b30b2c14123b867f3f0_7)EQUINIX, INC.NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - (Continued)  
  
assets during certain periods of the contract term. Contract assets are recorded in other current assets and other assets in the consolidated balance sheet.Deferred revenue (a contract liability) is recognized when we have an unconditional right to a payment before it transfers products or services to customers. Deferred revenue is included in other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheet.Contract Costs Direct and indirect incremental costs solely related to obtaining revenue contracts are capitalized as costs of obtaining a contract, when they are incremental and if they are expected to be recovered. Such costs consist primarily of commission fees and sales bonuses, as well as indirect related payroll costs. In 2021, contract costs are amortized over the estimated period of 5.5 years on a straight-line basis. We elected to apply the practical expedient which allows us to expense contract costs when incurred, if the amortization period is one year or less.For further information on revenue recognition, see Note 2 below.Income TaxesIncome taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the future tax consequences attributable to differences that exists between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, as well as tax attributes such as operating loss, capital loss and tax credits carryforwards on a taxing jurisdiction basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts that are expected more likely than not to be realized in the future. A tax benefit from an uncertain income tax position may be recognized in the financial statements only if it is more likely than not that the position is sustainable, based solely on its technical merits and consideration of the relevant taxing authority's widely understood administrative practices and precedents. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized. Any subsequent changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes beginning with our 2015 taxable year. As a result, we may deduct the dividends made to our stockholders from taxable income generated by us and that of our qualified REIT subsidiaries ("QRSs"). Our dividends paid deduction generally eliminates the U.S. federal taxable income of our REIT and QRSs, resulting in no U.S. federal income tax due. However, our domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRSs") are subject to the U.S. corporate income taxes on any taxable income generated by them. In addition, our foreign operations are subject to local income taxes regardless of whether the foreign operations are operated as QRSs or TRSs. Our qualification and taxation as a REIT depend on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution, stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. Our ability to satisfy quarterly asset tests depends upon our analysis and the fair market values of our REIT and non-REIT assets. For purposes of the quarterly REIT asset tests, we estimate the fair market value of assets within our QRSs and TRSs using a discounted cash flow approach, by calculating the present value of forecasted future cash flows. We apply discount rates based on industry benchmarks relative to the market and forecasting risks. Other significant assumptions used to estimate the fair market value of assets in QRSs and TRSs include projected revenue growth, projected operating margins, and projected capital expenditures. We revisit significant assumptions periodically to reflect any changes due to business or economic environment.For further information on income taxes, see Note 14 below.Stock-Based CompensationStock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors based on the fair value of the award. We generally recognize stock-based compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. However, F-18  

