Starbucks 2015 Annual Report Download - page 63

consultants. We also have an employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"). RSUs issued by us are equivalent to nonvested shares
under the applicable accounting guidance. We record stock-based compensation expense based on the fair value of stock
awards at the grant date and recognize the expense over the related service period following a graded vesting expense schedule.
Expense for performance-based RSUs is recognized when it is probable the performance goal will be achieved. Performance
goals are determined by the Board of Directors and may include measures such as earnings per share, operating income and
return on invested capital. The fair value of each stock option granted is estimated on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-
Merton option valuation model. The assumptions used to calculate the fair value of options granted are evaluated and revised,
as necessary, to reflect market conditions and our historical experience. The fair value of RSUs is based on the closing price of
Starbucks common stock on the award date, less the present value of expected dividends not received during the vesting period.
Compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award, and only
for those options expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated at the date of grant based on our historical experience and future
expectations.
Foreign Currency Translation
Our international operations generally use their local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated
at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated at the average monthly
exchange rates during the year. Resulting translation adjustments are reported as a component of OCI and recorded in AOCI on
our consolidated balance sheets.
Income Taxes
We compute income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are recognized based on the
differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the respective tax basis of our assets and liabilities. Deferred
tax assets and liabilities are measured using current enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which
we expect the temporary differences to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred taxes is recognized in income in
the period that includes the enactment date.
We routinely evaluate the likelihood of realizing the benefit of our deferred tax assets and may record a valuation allowance if,
based on all available evidence, we determine that some portion of the tax benefit will not be realized. In evaluating our ability
to recover our deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative
evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and
results of recent operations. If we determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of
their net recorded amount, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the
provision for income taxes.
In addition, our income tax returns are periodically audited by domestic and foreign tax authorities. These audits include review
of our tax filing positions, including the timing and amount of deductions taken and the allocation of income between tax
jurisdictions. We evaluate our exposures associated with our various tax filing positions and recognize a tax benefit from an
uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant
taxing authorities, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of our
position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit
that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. For uncertain tax positions that do not meet
this threshold, we record a related liability. We adjust our unrecognized tax benefit liability and income tax expense in the
period in which the uncertain tax position is effectively settled, the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing
authority to examine the tax position, or when new information becomes available.
Starbucks recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense on our consolidated statements
of earnings. Accrued interest and penalties are included within the related tax liability on our consolidated balance sheets.
Stock Split
On April 9, 2015, we effected a two-for-one stock split of our $0.001 par value common stock for shareholders of record as of
March 30, 2015. All share and per-share data in our consolidated financial statements and notes has been retroactively adjusted
to reflect this stock split. We adjusted shareholders' equity to reflect the stock split by reclassifying an amount equal to the par
value of the additional shares arising from the split from retained earnings to common stock during the second quarter of fiscal
2015, resulting in no net impact to shareholders' equity on our consolidated balance sheets.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the
period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and the
Starbucks Corporation 2015 Form 10-K 59