SEC publishes final rule on interactive data for financial statments
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently published a final rule requiring companies to incorporate interactive data, using eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), into financial statements. Issuers will have to "tag" data using a standard taxonomy and provide the interactive data as an exhibit to periodic and current reports and registration statements as well as transition reports for a change in fiscal year. Further, financial statements in interactive data format will have to be posted on a filer's corporate website. The requirements are intended to improve the usefulness of financial information to investors. "Through interactive data, what is currently static, text-based information can be dynamically searched and analyzed, facilitating the comparison of financial and business performance across companies, reporting periods, and industries."
The following table identifies the report for which an issuer would first be required to file interactive data:
| Domestic and foreign large accelerated filers using U.S. GAAP and having a worldwide public common equity float above $5 billion as of the end of the second fiscal quarter of their most recently completed fiscal year | Quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 20-F or Form 40-F containing financial statements for a fiscal period ending on or after June 15, 2009 |
| All other large accelerated filers using U.S. GAAP | Quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 20-F or Form 40-F containing financial statements for a fiscal period ending on or after June 15, 2010 |
| All remaining filers using U.S. GAAP | Quarterly report on Form 10-Q or annual report on Form 20-F or Form 40-F containing financial statements for a fiscal period ending on or after June 15, 2011 |
| Foreign private issuers with financial statements prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB | Annual reports on Form 20-F or Form 40-F for fiscal periods ending on or after June 15, 2011 |
