Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2021

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1—Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

IDT Corporation (the “Company”) is a global provider of financial technology, or fintech, cloud communications, and traditional communications services. The Company has three reportable business segments, Fintech, net2phone-Unified Communications as a Service (“UCaaS”), and Traditional Communications.

Basis of Consolidation

The method of accounting applied to long-term investments, whether consolidated, equity or cost, involves an evaluation of the significant terms of each investment that explicitly grant or suggest evidence of control or influence over the operations of the investee and includes the identification of any variable interests in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s controlled subsidiaries and the variable interest entity in which the Company is the primary beneficiary (see Note 13). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions between the consolidated entities are eliminated.

Accounting for Investments

Investments in businesses that the Company does not control, but in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters, are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the cost method. Investments in hedge funds are accounted for using the equity method unless the Company’s interest is so minor that it has virtually no influence over operating and financial policies, in which case these investments are accounted for using the cost method. The Company periodically evaluates its equity and cost method investments for impairment due to declines considered to be other than temporary. If the Company determines that a decline in fair value is other than temporary, then a charge to earnings is recorded in “Other income (expense), net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income, and a new basis in the investment is established.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts in the consolidated balance sheet were reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation as follows: $25.3 million previously included in “Prepaid expenses” was reclassified to “Disbursement prefunding” and $6.0 million previously included in “Trade accounts payable” was reclassified to “Other current liabilities.”

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

The Company accounts for its revenues under Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and the amendments thereto (collectively referred to as Accounting Standards Codification, or “ASC” 606). The core principle of ASC 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services, and the guidance defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle. The five-step process is as follows: (i) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract(s), (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s), and (v) recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

Direct Cost of Revenues

Direct cost of revenues consists primarily of termination and origination costs, toll-free costs, and network costs—including customer/carrier interconnect charges and fiber circuit charges. These costs include an estimate of charges for which invoices have not yet been received, and estimated amounts for pending disputes with other carriers. Direct cost of revenues also includes the cost of airtime top-up minutes. Direct cost of revenues excludes depreciation and amortization expense.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.

IDT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Debt Securities

The Company’s investments in debt securities are classified as “available-for-sale.” Available-for-sale debt securities are required to be carried at their fair value, with unrealized gains and losses (net of income taxes) that are considered temporary in nature recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company uses the specific identification method in computing the gross realized gains and gross realized losses on the sales of debt securities. The Company periodically evaluates its investments in debt securities for impairment due to declines in market value considered to be other than temporary. Such impairment evaluations include, in addition to persistent, declining market prices, general economic and Company-specific evaluations. If the Company determines that a decline in market value is other than temporary, then a charge to operations is recorded in “Other income (expense), net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

Equity Investments

Investments in equity securities (except those accounted for under the equity method or that result in consolidation) are measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. For investments in equity securities without a readily determinable fair value, the Company elects the measurement alternative and measures these investments at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. At each reporting date, the Company reassesses whether the investment still qualifies for this measurement alternative. Further, at each reporting date, the Company performs a qualitative assessment to evaluate whether the investment is impaired. If the qualitative assessment indicates that the investment is impaired and the fair value of the investment is less than its carrying value, the carrying amount of the investment will be reduced and the resulting loss recognized in “Other income (expense), net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income in the period the impairment is identified.

On August 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU No. 2020-01, Investments—Equity Securities (Topic 321), Investments—Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323), and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), that clarifies the interactions between Topic 321, Topic 323, and Topic 815. The amendments in this ASU affect the application of the measurement alternative for certain equity securities and the equity method of accounting, and guidance for certain forward contracts and purchased options to purchase securities, that, upon settlement or exercise, would be accounted for under the equity method of accounting. The adoption of the amendments in this ASU had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Disbursement Prefunding

The Company maintains relationships with disbursement partners in various countries for its money transfer and Mobile Top-Up services. The Company maintains prefunding balances with these disbursement partners, so they can satisfy the Company’s customer liabilities. The Company does not earn interest on these balances. The balances are not compensating balances and are not legally restricted.

Property, Plant, and Equipment and Intangible Assets

Equipment, computer software, and furniture and fixtures are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which range as follows: equipment—5, 7 or 20 years; computer software—2, 3 or 5 years; and furniture and fixtures—5, 7 or 10 years. Leasehold improvements are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the term of their lease or their estimated useful lives, whichever is shorter.

The fair value of non-compete agreement, customer relationships, and tradenames acquired in a business combination accounted for under the purchase method are amortized over their estimated useful lives (see Notes 6 and 12).

The Company tests the recoverability of its property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets with finite useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company tests for recoverability based on the projected undiscounted cash flows to be derived from such asset. If the projected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, the Company will record an impairment loss, if any, based on the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset. The Company generally measures fair value by considering sale prices for similar assets or by discounting estimated future cash flows from such asset using an appropriate discount rate. Cash flow projections and fair value estimates require significant estimates and assumptions by management. Should the estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to record impairments in future periods and such impairments could be material.

Goodwill

Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of businesses over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets are not amortized. Instead, these assets are reviewed annually (or more frequently under various conditions) for impairment. The Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. However, the Company may elect to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test even if no indications of a potential impairment exist.

When performing its quantitative annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test the Company is comparing the fair value of its reporting units with their carrying amounts. The Company would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, the Company considers income tax effects from any tax-deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of its reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The fair value of the reporting units is estimated using discounted cash flow methodologies, as well as considering third party market value indicators. The Company’s use of a discounted cash flow methodology includes estimates of future revenue based upon budgets and projections. The Company also develops estimates for future levels of gross and operating profits and projected capital expenditures. The Company’s methodology also includes the use of estimated discount rates based upon industry and competitor analysis as well as other factors. Calculating the fair value of the reporting units requires significant estimates and assumptions by management. Should the estimates and assumptions regarding the fair value of the reporting units prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to record impairments to its goodwill in future periods and such impairments could be material.

IDT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Advertising Expense

Cost of advertising is charged to selling, general and administrative expenses in the period in which it is incurred. In fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, advertising expense was $15.3 million and $15.7 million, respectively.

Capitalized Internal Use Software Costs

The Company capitalizes the cost of internal-use software that has a useful life in excess of one year. These costs consist of payments made to third parties and the salaries of employees working on such software development. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Capitalized internal use software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense related to such capitalized software in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 was $12.6 million and $14.6 million, respectively. Unamortized capitalized internal use software costs at July 31, 2021 and 2020 were $16.7 million and $18.1 million, respectively.

Repairs and Maintenance

The Company charges the cost of repairs and maintenance, including the cost of replacing minor items not constituting substantial betterment, to selling, general and administrative expenses as these costs are incurred.

Foreign Currency Translation

Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries denominated in foreign currencies are translated to U.S. Dollars at end-of-period rates of exchange, and their monthly results of operations are translated to U.S. Dollars at the average rates of exchange for that month. Gains or losses resulting from such foreign currency translations are recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reported in “Other income (expense), net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statements carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income during the period in which related temporary differences become deductible. The Company considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in its assessment of a valuation allowance. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date of such change.

The Company uses a two-step approach for recognizing and measuring tax benefits taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company presumes that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. Tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold are measured to determine the amount of tax benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Differences between tax positions taken in a tax return and amounts recognized in the financial statements will generally result in one or more of the following: an increase in a liability for income taxes payable, a reduction of an income tax refund receivable, a reduction in a deferred tax asset, or an increase in a deferred tax liability.

The Company classifies interest and penalties on income taxes as a component of income tax expense.

IDT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

On August 1, 2021, the Company adopted ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740), Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, that removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740, and clarifies and amends existing guidance in Topic 740. The adoption of this new standard had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Contingencies

The Company accrues for loss contingencies when both (a) information available prior to issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that a liability had been incurred at the date of the financial statements and (b) the amount of loss can reasonably be estimated. When the Company accrues for loss contingencies and the reasonable estimate of the loss is within a range, the Company records its best estimate within the range. When no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount, the Company accrues the minimum amount in the range. The Company discloses an estimated possible loss or a range of loss when it is at least reasonably possible that a loss may have been incurred.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to all classes of common stockholders of the Company by the weighted average number of shares of all classes of common stock outstanding during the applicable period. Diluted earnings per share is determined in the same manner as basic earnings per share, except that the number of shares is increased to include restricted stock still subject to risk of forfeiture and to assume exercise of potentially dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method, unless the effect of such increase is anti-dilutive.

The weighted-average number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share attributable to the Company’s common stockholders consists of the following:

Year ended July 31 (in thousands)	2021		2020
Basic weighted-average number of shares		25,495		26,278
Effect of dilutive securities:
Stock options		229		1
Non-vested restricted Class B common stock		329		162
Diluted weighted-average number of shares		26,053		26,441

The following outstanding stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of the stock options were greater than the average market price of the Company’s stock during the period:

Year ended July 31 (in thousands)	2021		2020
Shares excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share		535		1,138

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense for its grants of stock-based awards based on the estimated fair value on the grant date. Compensation cost for awards is recognized using the straight-line method over the vesting period. Stock-based compensation is included in selling, general and administrative expense.

Vulnerability Due to Certain Concentrations

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, debt securities, equity investments, and trade accounts receivable. The Company holds cash and cash equivalents at several major financial institutions, which often exceed FDIC insurance limits. Historically, the Company has not experienced any losses due to such concentration of credit risk. The Company’s temporary cash investments policy is to limit the dollar amount of investments with any one financial institution and monitor the credit ratings of those institutions. While the Company may be exposed to credit losses due to the nonperformance of the holders of its deposits, the Company does not expect the settlement of these transactions to have a material effect on its results of operations, cash flows, or financial condition.

IDT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is limited due to the large number of customers in various geographic regions and industry segments comprising the Company’s customer base. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of consolidated revenues in fiscal 2021 or fiscal 2020. However, the Company’s five largest customers collectively accounted for 14.5% and 12.7% of its consolidated revenues in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. The Company’s customers with the five largest receivable balances collectively accounted for 9.7% and 13.8% of the consolidated gross trade accounts receivable at July 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. This concentration of customers increases the Company’s risk associated with nonpayment by those customers. In an effort to reduce such risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its significant customers. In addition, the Company attempts to mitigate the credit risk related to specific Carrier Services customers by also buying services from the customer, in order to create an opportunity to offset its payables and receivables and reduce its net trade receivable exposure risk. When it is practical to do so, the Company will increase its purchases from Carrier Services customers with receivable balances that exceed the Company’s applicable payables in order to maximize the offset and reduce its credit risk.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Company estimates the balance of its allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing accounts receivable balances by age and applying historical write-off and collection trend rates. The Company’s estimates include separately providing for customer receivables based on specific circumstances and credit conditions, and when it is deemed probable that the balance is uncollectible. Account balances are written off against the allowance when it is determined that the receivable will not be recovered. The change in the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:

Year ended July 31 (in thousands)	Balance at beginning of year		Additions charged to costs and expenses		Deductions (1)			Balance at end of year
2021
Reserves deducted from accounts receivable:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	6,085	$	1,782	$	(3,429	)	$	4,438
2020
Reserves deducted from accounts receivable:
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$	5,444	$	3,109	$	(2,468	)	$	6,085

(1) Primarily uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities is defined as an exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used to measure fair value, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value, is as follows:

Level 1–	quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2–	quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3–	unobservable inputs based on the Company’s assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value.

A financial asset or liability’s classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the valuation of the assets and liabilities being measured and their placement within the fair value hierarchy.

Leases

On August 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and the amendments thereto, related to the accounting for leases (collectively referred to as “ASC 842”) (see Note 4). ASC 842 establishes a right-of-use (“ROU”) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases are classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. Entities have the option to continue to apply historical accounting under Topic 840, including its disclosure requirements, in comparative periods presented in the year of adoption. An entity that elects this option will recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption instead of the earliest period presented.

IDT CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

The Company elected to apply the optional ASC 842 transition provisions beginning on August 1, 2019. Accordingly, the Company continued to apply Topic 840 prior to August 1, 2019. The Company elected the package of practical expedients for all its leases that commenced before August 1, 2019. In addition, the Company elected not to apply the recognition requirements of ASC 842 for its short-term leases. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, nor is one readily available, the Company used its incremental borrowing rate based on information available at August 1, 2019 to determine the present value of its future minimum rental payments.

Recently Issued Accounting Standard Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, that changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For receivables, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking current expected credit loss model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowance for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except the losses will be recognized as allowances instead of reductions in the amortized cost of the securities. In addition, an entity will have to disclose significantly more information about allowances, credit quality indicators, and past due securities. The new provisions will be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company will adopt the new standard on August 1, 2023. The Company is evaluating the impact that the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements.