Simon 2021 Annual Report

We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s process for evaluating investment properties for impairment, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above. To test the Company’s evaluation of investment properties for impairment, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the methodologies applied, evaluating the significant assumptions discussed above and testing the completeness and accuracy of the underlying data used by management in its analysis. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to current industry and economic trends, relevant market information, and other applicable sources. We also involved a valuation specialist to assist in evaluating certain assumptions. In addition, we compared the forecasted cash flows and operating income before depreciation and amortization to historical actual results and evaluated significant variances, including consideration of the current economic environment. As part of our evaluation, we assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates and performed sensitivity analyses of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the undiscounted cash flows of the related investment property that would result from changes in the assumptions. At December 31, 2021, the carrying value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated entities and its investments in Klépierre and TRG totaled $8.0 billion. As explained in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company reviews investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an investment in an unconsolidated entity may not be recoverable. To identify and evaluate whether an other-than- temporary decline in the fair value of an investment below its carrying value has occurred, the Company assesses economic and operating conditions that may affect the fair value of the investment. The evaluation of operating conditions may include developing estimates of forecasted cash flows or operating income before depreciation and amortization to support the recoverability of the carrying amount of the investment. When required, the Company estimates the fair value of an investment and assesses whether any impairment is other than temporary using observable and unobservable inputs such as historical and forecasted cash flows or operating income before depreciation and amortization, estimated capitalization and discount rates, or relevant market multiples, leasing prospects and local market information. Auditing management’s evaluation of investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment was complex due to the estimation uncertainty in determining the forecasted cash flows, operating income before depreciation and amortization, estimated fair value of the investment and whether any decline in fair value below the related investment’s carrying amount is other-than-temporary. In particular, the impairment evaluation for these investments was sensitive to significant assumptions such as forecasted cash flows, operating income before depreciation and amortization, relevant market multiples, and capitalization and discount rates, all of which can be affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions, demand, and competition. We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s process for evaluating investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above. To test the Company’s evaluation of investments in unconsolidated entities for impairment, we performed audit procedures that included, among others, assessing the methodologies applied, evaluating the significant assumptions discussed above and testing the completeness and accuracy of data used by management in its analysis. We compared the significant assumptions used by management to current industry and economic trends, relevant market information, and other applicable sources. We also involved a valuation specialist to assist in evaluating certain assumptions. In addition, we compared the forecasted cash flows and operating income before depreciation and amortization to historical actual results and evaluated significant variances, including consideration of the current economic environment. As part of our evaluation, we assessed Evaluation of Investments in Unconsolidated Entities for Impairment

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

Description of the Matter

How We Addressed the Matter in Our Audit

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