Which of the following will be included in the lease payments from the lessee's perspective?

In the context of lease accounting from the lessee's perspective, it is essential to recognize the elements that constitute lease payments. Lease payments generally include fixed payments, variable payments that depend on an index or rate, and any payments for options that are reasonably assured to be exercised.

Choosing to include exercise option payments that are reasonably assured reflects the accounting principle that the lessee must recognize any cash flows that are likely to occur as part of the lease arrangement. When a lessee is reasonably certain to exercise a purchase option, these payments should be included in the lease liability calculation and subsequently in the measurement of the right-of-use asset. This future commitment reflects an obligation that the lessee anticipates fulfilling, which aligns with the principles of recognizing liabilities in financial statements.

In contrast, variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or rate are not included in lease payments because they are uncertain and not considered part of the contractual obligation. Only fixed payments required by contract can be included to a certain extent, and costs incurred prior to signing the lease do not form part of the lease payments because they fall outside the lease term and do not represent future obligations under the lease agreement.