When should a lease be capitalized rather than expensed?

A lease should be capitalized rather than expensed when it meets certain criteria under accounting standards, such as ASC 842 or IFRS 16. Generally, this occurs when the lease transfers ownership of the asset to the lessee, includes a bargain purchase option, or has a term that covers the majority of the asset's useful life. Additionally, if the present value of lease payments exceeds a significant percentage of the asset's fair value, capitalization is required. Capitalizing the lease reflects it as both an asset and a liability on the balance sheet.