Basis of presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Basis of presentation [Abstract]

Basis of accounting

The accompanying unaudited financial statements of TransAct Technologies Incorporated (“TransAct”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP to be included in full year financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented have been included and are of a normal recurring nature.  The December 31, 2019 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP.  These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2019 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019.

Foreign currency translation

The financial position and results of operations of our U.K. subsidiary are measured using local currency as the functional currency.  Assets and liabilities of such subsidiary have been translated at the end of period exchange rates, and related revenues and expenses have been translated at the exchange rate as of the date the transaction was recognized, with the resulting translation gain or loss recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax”, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.  Transaction gains and losses are included in “Other, net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Valuation of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets

Valuation of Goodwill, Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets and Long-Lived Assets

We perform a fair value-based impairment test to the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets on an annual basis (as of December 31) and, if certain events or circumstances indicate that an impairment loss may have been incurred, on an interim basis. The Company utilizes the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the Step 1 quantitative goodwill impairment test in accordance with the applicable accounting standards. Under the qualitative assessment, management considers relevant events and circumstances including but not limited to macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, Company performance and events directly affecting the Company. If the Company determines that the Step 1 quantitative impairment test is required, management estimates the fair value of the reporting unit primarily using the income approach, which reflects management’s cash flow projections, and also evaluates the fair value using the market approach. Our 2019 quantitative impairment test of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets indicated that there was no indication of impairment as of December 31, 2019 because the fair value exceeded our carrying value.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, our stock price declined to the lowest price since 2009. We determined that the significant decline in our market capitalization and broader economic downturn arising from the COVID-19 pandemic was a triggering event and an indicator that it was more likely than not that the carrying value of goodwill exceeded fair value. Therefore, we concluded that quantitative analyses were required to be performed due to the triggering event occurring during the first quarter of 2020.

We view our operations and manage our business as one operating unit. We utilized an implied market value method under the market approach to calculate the fair value of the Company as of March 31, 2020, which we determined was the best approximation of fair value in the current social and economic environment.  Based on our interim impairment assessment as of March 31, 2020, we determined that no goodwill or intangible asset impairment occurred and the fair value of goodwill was substantially higher than our carrying value.

As of September 30, 2020, we determined that no new triggering events had occurred during the third quarter of 2020 and as a result an updated impairment review was not performed. Based on our impairment assessment performed on March 31, 2020 and subsequent market performance of our stock we do not expect to record an impairment charge in the near future but many of the factors used in assessing fair value are outside the control of management, and these assumptions and estimates can change in future periods as a result of both Company-specific and overall economic conditions, including the impacts of COVID-19.  We will continue to monitor and evaluate the carrying value of goodwill. We may be subject to impairments in the future depending on how long the economic and social disruptions resulting from COVID-19 pandemic persist.