Note 4.         Leases

 

The Company has two significant operating leases, one for its headquarters offices in Fairfax, Virginia and one for additional office space in Annapolis, Maryland. The leases both commenced in 2021 and have original lease terms ranging from 37 to 67 months and rental rates escalate by approximately 2.5% annually under both leases. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in right-of-use operating lease assets and operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

 

As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company does not have any sales-type or direct financing leases.

 

The Company’s operating lease asset represents its right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Since the lease does not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating lease asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company’s lease agreement includes rental payments escalating annually for inflation at a fixed rate. These payments are included in the initial measurement of the operating lease liability and operating lease asset. The Company does not have any rental payments which are based on a change in an index or a rate that can be considered variable lease payments, which would be expensed as incurred.

 

The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictions or covenants.

 

The Company does not sublease any real estate to third parties.

 

As of December 31, 2023, our two operating leases had a weighted average remaining lease term of 25 months and a weighted average discount rate of 5.1%. Future lease payments under operating leases as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:

 

2024

 $174,721 

2025

  74,804 

2026

  70,220 

Total lease payments

  319,745 

Less: discount

  (19,811)

Present value of lease liabilities

 $299,934 

 

The total expense incurred related to its operating leases was $152,211 and $214,241 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and is included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of operations.

About Leases Disclosures

Lease disclosures under ASC 842 provide a comprehensive view of a company's leased asset portfolio, including the split between operating and finance leases, discount rates used to present-value future payments, and the maturity schedule of lease obligations. This section reveals a significant source of off-balance-sheet commitments that were largely hidden before the current standard.

Key signals: the weighted-average discount rate affects the size of recorded lease liabilities — a higher rate reduces the reported obligation, so compare the chosen rate against the company's incremental borrowing rate. The operating versus finance lease mix affects both EBITDA and operating income presentation. Watch the maturity table for concentration risk: large payment cliffs in specific years may create cash flow pressure. Variable lease payments excluded from the liability measurement represent real obligations that do not appear on the balance sheet. Compare total lease costs against prior-year operating lease expense to assess the true economic burden.