Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies) |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 31, 2023 | |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of presentation |
Basis of presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements and related notes include the activity of subsidiaries in which a controlling financial interest is owned. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
Mentor Capital, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2023 and 2022
Significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
As shown in the accompanying financial statements, the Company has an accumulated deficit of ($8,187,807) as of December 31, 2023.
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| Ongoing Capital Formation |
Ongoing Capital Formation
The Company will endeavor to raise additional capital to fund its acquisitions from both related and unrelated parties to generate increasing growth and revenues. The Company has 4,250,000 Series D warrants outstanding, and the Company has reset the exercise price to $0.02 per share, which is below the current market price. The Company may reverse split the stock to raise the stock price to a level further above the warrant exercise price. The warrants are specifically not affected and do not split with the shares in the event of a reverse split. These consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from repricing the outstanding warrants.
Management’s plans include increasing revenues through acquisition, investment, and organic growth. Management anticipates funding new activities by raising additional capital through the sale of equity securities and debt.
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| Impact Related to Endemic Factors |
Impact Related to Endemic Factors
COVID-19 and the measures taken by many countries in response have adversely affected and could, in the future, materially adversely impact the Company’s business, acquisition plans, results of operations, financial condition, and stock price. Although we have not yet been materially adversely affected as of December 31, 2023, our future financial condition may be materially and adversely impacted as a result of the ongoing worldwide economic situation, economic sanctions, the impact of inflation, interest rate increases, tax increases, tariff increases, recession, climate regulation, cybersecurity risks, evolving and sophisticated cyber-attacks and other attempts to gain access to our information technology systems, increased risk to oil markets, potential banking crises, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, future weakness in the credit markets, increased rates of default and bankruptcy, political change, and significant liquidity problems for the financial services industry. For example, our current or potential customers, or the current or potential customers of our partners or affiliates, may delay or decrease spending with us, may not pay us, or may delay paying us for previously purchased products and services. Also, we, or our partners or affiliates, may have difficulties in securing additional financing. Additionally, the collectability of our investment in account receivable was impaired by $116,430 on February 15, 2022 due to a reduction in our estimated collection amount for the 2020 annual installment payment, which was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the terms of the investment were modified, resulting in an additional loss of $41,930, see Note 4.
Supply chain disruptions, inflation, interest rate increases, tax increases, recession, high energy prices, and supply-demand imbalances are expected to continue in 2024.
We anticipate that current cash and associated resources will be sufficient for us to execute our business plan for five years after the date these financial statements are issued. The ultimate impact of COVID-19, the outbreak of war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, potential cyber-attacks, inflation, interest rate increases, tax increases, and a potential recession on our business, results of operations, cybersecurity, financial condition, and cash flows are dependent on future developments, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.
Mentor Capital, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2023 and 2022
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| Segment reporting |
Segment reporting
Continuing operations
The Company has determined that there are currently two reportable segments: 1) the historic residual medical operations segment and 2) the Company’s energy segment.
Discontinued operation
On October 4, 2023, the Company’s facilities operations segment was sold. Following the sale, the Company received no new income from WCI and had no further involvement or continuing influence over its operations. As a result, our facilities operations segment was deconsolidated on the date of the sale, and our former facilities operations segment was reported as a discontinued operation. See Note 3.
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| Use of estimates |
Use of estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates, assumptions, and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Significant estimates relied upon in preparing these consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, accounts and notes receivable reserves, expected future cash flows used to evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets, estimated fair values of long-lived assets used to record impairment charges related to investments, goodwill, amortization periods, accrued expenses, and recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and any related valuation allowance.
Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. Acquisitions and divestitures are not announced until certain. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates if past experience or other assumptions do not turn out to be substantially accurate.
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| Recent Accounting Standards |
Recent Accounting Standards
From time to time, the FASB, or other standards-setting bodies, issue new accounting pronouncements. Updates to the FASB Accounting Standard Codifications (“ASCs”) are communicated through the issuance of an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”). Unless otherwise discussed, we believe that the impact of recently issued guidance, whether adopted or to be adopted in the future, is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes – As of January 1, 2021, we adopted ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is designed to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. ASU No. 2019-12 The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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| Concentrations of cash |
Concentrations of cash
The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents in bank deposit accounts, which at times may exceed federally insured Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts, nor does the Company believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. The Company will continue to monitor its accounts and the banking sector for potential financial institution risk.
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| Cash and cash equivalents |
Cash and cash equivalents
The Company considers all short-term debt securities purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company had no short-term debt securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
Mentor Capital, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2023 and 2022
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| Accounts receivable |
Accounts receivable
Accounts receivables consist of trade accounts arising in the normal course of business and are classified as current assets and carried at original invoice amounts less an estimate for doubtful receivables based on historical losses as a percent of revenue in conjunction with a review of outstanding balances on a quarterly basis. The estimate of allowance for doubtful accounts is based on the Company’s bad debt experience, market conditions, and aging of accounts receivable, among other factors. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers deteriorates, resulting in the customer’s inability to pay the Company’s receivables as they come due, additional allowances for doubtful accounts will be required. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had no allowance for doubtful receivables.
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| Investments in securities at fair value |
Investments in securities at fair value
Investment in securities consists of debt and equity securities reported at fair value. Under ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” the Company elected to report changes in the fair value of equity investment in realized investment gains (losses), net.
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| Long term investments |
Long term investments
The Company’s investments in entities where it is a minority owner and does not have the ability to exercise significant influence are recorded at fair value if readily determinable. If the fair market value is not readily determinable, the investment is recorded under the cost method. Under this method, the Company’s share of the earnings or losses of such investee company is not included in the Company’s financial statements. The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-term investments for impairment each reporting period.
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| Investments in debt securities |
Investments in debt securities
At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company held no investments in debt securities. The Company’s former investment in debt securities consisted of two convertible notes receivable from NeuCourt, Inc. On July 15, 2022, all principal and accrued interest on the notes were converted into a Simple Agreement for Future Equity (“SAFE”). At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the SAFE Purchase Amount was $93,756 and $83,756, respectively. See Note 7.
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| Investment in account receivable, net of discount |
Investment in account receivable, net of discount
The Company’s investments in accounts receivable is stated at face value, net of unamortized purchase discount. The discount is amortized to interest income over the term of the exchange agreement. In the fourth quarter of 2020, we were notified that due to the effect of COVID-19 on the estimated receivable, we may not receive the 2020 installment payment or the full 2021 installment payment. Due to a reduction in expected collections, the collectability of our investment in account receivable was impaired by $116,430 on February 15, 2022 and the terms of the investment were modified, resulting in an additional loss of $41,930, see Note 4.
On January 10, 2023, the Company received the 2022 annual installment payment of $117,000. Three additional $117,000 annual installment payments are due for 2023, 2024, and 2025. The Company has retained its impairment reserves and recorded losses on investment due to a history of uncertain payments. See Notes 4 and 21.
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| Credit quality of notes receivable and finance leases receivable and credit loss reserve |
Credit quality of notes receivable and finance leases receivable and credit loss reserve
As our notes receivable and finance leases receivable are limited in number, our management is able to analyze estimated credit loss reserves based on a detailed analysis of each receivable as opposed to using portfolio-based metrics. Our management does not use a system of assigning internal risk ratings to each of our receivables. Rather, each note receivable and finance lease receivable are analyzed quarterly and categorized as either performing or non-performing based on certain factors including, but not limited to, financial results, satisfying scheduled payments, and compliance with financial covenants. A note receivable or finance lease receivable will be categorized as non-performing when a borrower experiences financial difficulty and has failed to make scheduled payments.
Mentor Capital, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2023 and 2022
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| Property and equipment |
Property and equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the declining balance method over the estimated useful lives of various classes of property. The estimated lives of the property and equipment are generally as follows: computer equipment, 3 years to 5 years; furniture and equipment, 7 years; and vehicles and trailers, 4 years to 5 years. Depreciation on vehicles used by our discontinued operation to service its customers is included in the cost of goods sold. All other depreciation is included in selling, general, and administrative costs in the consolidated income statements.
Expenditures for major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs, which do not extend the asset lives, are charged to operations as incurred. Upon sale or disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss is included in operations. The Company continually monitors events and changes in circumstances that could indicate that the carrying balances of its property and equipment may not be recoverable in accordance with the provisions of ASC 360, “Property, Plant, and Equipment.” When such events or changes in circumstances are present, the Company assesses the recoverability of long-lived assets by determining whether the carrying value of such assets will be recovered through undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the total of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of those assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the assets. See Note 6.
The Company reviews intangible assets subject to amortization quarterly to determine if any adverse conditions exist or if a change in circumstances has occurred that would indicate impairment or a change in the remaining useful life. Conditions that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in legal factors or business climate that could affect the value of an asset, a product recall, or an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. If an impairment indicator exists, we test the intangible asset for recoverability. For purposes of the recoverability test, we group our amortizable intangible assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows if the intangible asset does not generate cash flows independent of other assets and liabilities. If the carrying value of the intangible asset (asset group) exceeds the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the intangible asset (asset group), the Company will write the carrying value down to the fair value in the period identified.
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| Lessee Leases |
Lessee Leases
We determine whether an arrangement is a lease at inception. Lessee leases are classified as either finance leases or operating leases. A lease is classified as a finance lease if any one of the following criteria is met: the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, the lease contains an option to purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, the lease term is for a major part of the remaining useful life of the asset or the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any one of these criteria. Our operating leases are comprised of office space leases and office equipment. Fleet vehicle leases entered into prior to January 1, 2019, are classified as operating leases based on an expected lease term of 4 years. Fleet vehicle leases entered into beginning January 1, 2019, for which the lease is expected to be extended to 5 years, are classified as finance leases. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 month to 48 months. Our fleet finance leases contain a residual value guarantee, which, based on past lease experience, is unlikely to result in a liability at the end of the lease. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date to determine the present value of lease payments.
Costs associated with operating lease assets were recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease, within cost of goods sold for vehicles used in direct servicing of our discontinued operation customers and in operating expenses for costs associated with all other operating leases. Finance lease assets were amortized within the cost of goods sold for vehicles used in direct servicing of our discontinued operation customers and within operating expenses for all other finance lease assets on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term. The interest component of a finance lease was included in interest expense and recognized using the effective interest method over the lease term. Our discontinued operation had agreements that contained both lease and non-lease components. For vehicle fleet operating leases, we accounted for lease components together with non-lease components (e.g., maintenance fees).
Mentor Capital, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2023 and 2022
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| Goodwill |
Goodwill
On October 4, 2023, the Company sold the entirety of its interest in Waste Consolidators, Inc. (“WCI”) by entering into a Stock Purchase Agreement whereby the shareholders of WCI sold all of the outstanding shares of stock to Ally Waste Services, LLC. Following the sale, the Company received no new income from WCI and had no further involvement or continuing influence over its operations. Prior to the sale, goodwill of $1,324,142 was derived from consolidating WCI effective January 1, 2014, and $102,040 of goodwill was derived from the 2003 acquisition of a 50% interest in WCI. In accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other,” goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives were no longer subject to amortization but were tested for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired prior to the sale. Effective October 4, 2023, on the date of the sale of our WCI shares, we met the criteria outlined in ASC Topic 205-20 “Discontinued Operations,” for our $1,426,182 goodwill to be reduced to $0 and the results of operations and assets and liabilities for our facilities operations segment were excluded from our continuing operations and presented as a discontinued operation in our consolidated financial statements. As a result, goodwill in an aggregate amount of $1,426,182 was reduced to $0. No goodwill is reported in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2023 and 2022.
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| Revenue recognition |
Revenue recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” and FASB ASC Topic 842, “Leases.” Revenue is recognized net of allowances for returns and any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to government authorities.
The discontinued operation that we sold on October 4, 2023, worked with business park owners, governmental centers, and apartment complexes to reduce facilities-related costs. Our discontinued operation performed monthly services pursuant to agreements with customers. Customer monthly service fees were based on our discontinued operation’s assessment of the amount and frequency of monthly services requested by a customer. Our discontinued operation may have also provided additional services, such as apartment cleanout services, large item removals, or similar services, on an as-needed basis at an agreed-upon rate as requested by customers. All services were invoiced and recognized as revenue in the month the agreed-on services were performed. Our discontinued operation is deconsolidated and presented as a “discontinued operation” at December 31, 2023 and at December 31, 2022, the prior reporting period.
For each finance lease, the Company recognized as a gain the amount equal to (i) the net investment in the finance lease less (ii) the net book value of the equipment at the inception of the applicable lease. At lease inception, we capitalized the total minimum finance lease payments receivable from the lessee, the estimated unguaranteed residual value of the equipment at lease termination, if any, and the initial direct costs related to the lease, less unearned income. Unearned income was recognized as finance income over the term of the lease using the effective interest rate method.
The Company, through its subsidiaries Mentor Partner I, LLC and Mentor Partner II, LLC, was the lessor of manufacturing equipment subject to leases under master leasing agreements. The leases contained an element of dealer profit, and the lessee bargained purchase options at prices substantially below the subject assets’ estimated residual values at the exercise date for the options. Consequently, the Company classified the leases as sales-type leases (the “finance leases”) for financial accounting purposes. For such finance leases, the Company reported the discounted present value of (i) future minimum lease payments (including the bargain purchase option, if any) and (ii) any residual value not subject to a bargain purchase option as a finance lease receivable on its balance sheet and accrued interest on the balance of the finance lease receivable based on the interest rate inherent in the applicable lease over the term of the lease. For each finance lease, the Company recognized revenue in an amount equal to the net investment in the lease and cost of sales equal to the net book value of the equipment at the inception of the applicable lease.
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| Basic and diluted income (loss) per common share |
We compute net income or loss per share in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings Per Share.” Under the provisions of ASC 260, basic net income or loss per share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing the net income or loss available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of shares of Common Stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income or loss per share takes into consideration shares of Common Stock outstanding (computed under basic net income or loss per share) and potentially dilutive securities that are not anti-dilutive.
There were potentially dilutive outstanding warrants as of December 31, 2023 that on a treasury stock basis had the dilutive effect of 2,887,821 common shares as of December 31, 2023. Outstanding warrants that had no effect on the computation of the dilutive weighted average number of shares outstanding as their effect would be anti-dilutive were approximately as of December 31, 2022.
Assumed conversion of Series Q Preferred Stock into Common Stock would be anti-dilutive as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and is not included in calculating the diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding.
Mentor Capital, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2023 and 2022
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| Income taxes |
Income taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with accounting guidance now codified as FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” which requires that the Company recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, using enacted tax rates in effect in the years the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax benefit (expense) results from the change in net deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all deferred tax assets will not be realized.
The Company applies the provisions of ASC 740, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” The ASC prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The ASC provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest, and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step evaluates the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that we will sustain the position on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step measures the tax benefit as the largest amount of more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company did not identify any material uncertain tax positions on returns that have been filed or that will be filed. The Company did not recognize any interest or penalties for unrecognized tax provisions during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, nor were any interest or penalties accrued as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. To the extent the Company may accrue interest and penalties, it elects to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax provisions as a component of income tax expense.
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| Fair value measurements |
Fair value measurements
The Company adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement,” which defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The valuation techniques maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs.
The Fair Value Measurements and Disclosure Topic establishes a fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the valuation inputs into three broad levels. These three general valuation techniques that may be used to measure fair value are as follows: Market approach (Level 1) – which uses prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities. Prices may be indicated by pricing guides, sale transactions, market trades, or other sources. Cost approach (Level 2) – which is based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost); and the Income approach (Level 3) – which uses valuation techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based on current market expectations about the future amounts (including present value techniques, and option-pricing models). Net present value is an income approach where a stream of expected cash flows is discounted at an appropriate market interest rate.
Mentor Capital, Inc. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2023 and 2022
The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, customer deposits, and other accrued liabilities approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
The fair value of available-for-sale investment securities is based on quoted market prices in active markets.
The fair value of the investment in account receivable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principal payments. The carrying value approximates fair value as interest rates charged are comparable to market rates for similar investments.
The fair value of notes receivable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principal payments. The carrying value approximates fair value as interest rates charged are comparable to market rates for similar notes.
The fair value of long-term notes payable is based on the net present value of calculated interest and principal payments. The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value due to the fact that the interest rate on the debt is based on market rates.
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