NOTE 10 – DEFERRED REVENUE

 

The Company has future performance obligations for separately priced extended warranties sold related to its Lamps for Life program and advances from customers. Deferred revenue consisted of the following:

 

    December 31, 2018     December 31, 2017  
             
Balance, beginning of year   $ 1,302,717     $ 767,726  
Additions     17,989,811       1,070,528  
Amortization     (18,219,514 )     (535,537 )
Balance, ending of year     1,073,014       1,302,717  
                 
Deferred revenue – short-term     938,050       1,127,423  
Deferred revenue – long-term   $ 134,964     $ 175,294  

 

The Company entered an arrangement with a distributor which specified shipment to an intermediate site before final delivery to the end user. The distributor would prepay the majority of the sales price and assumes title to the products upon shipment to the intermediate site. The balance of the sales price would be payable upon final delivery to the end user. Revenue was deferred for sales subject to these payment terms and recognized upon final delivery.

About Revenue Disclosures

Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.

Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.