Cash equivalents: The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original maturity of ninety days or less at date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.

Cash segregated under federal or other regulations: Cash segregated under federal and other regulations is held in a special bank account for the exclusive benefit of the Company’s wealth management customers.

Short-term investments: The Company principally invests its available cash in fixed-rate debt securities. Fixed-rate debt securities generally include debt instruments issued by the U.S. federal government and its agencies, international governments, municipalities and publicly-held corporations, as well as commercial paper, insured time deposits with commercial banks, and money market funds invested in securities issued by agencies of the U.S., although specific holdings can vary from period to period depending upon the Company's cash requirements. Such investments are included in "Cash and cash equivalents" and "Available-for-sale investments" on the consolidated balance sheets and reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company reviews its available-for-sale investments for impairment and classifies the impairment of any individual available-for-sale investment as either temporary or other-than-temporary. The differentiating factors between temporary and other-than-temporary impairments are primarily the length of the time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer, and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. An impairment classified as temporary is recognized in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the consolidated balance sheets. An impairment classified as other-than-temporary is recognized in "Other loss, net" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Accounts receivable: Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

Commissions receivable and payable: Commissions represent amounts generated by HD Vest's financial advisors for their clients' purchases and sales of securities and various investment products. The Company generates two types of commissions: transaction-based sales commissions that occur at the point of sale, as well as trailing commissions for which the Company provides ongoing account support to clients of its financial advisors. The Company records transaction-based sales commissions receivable on a trade-date basis, which is when the Company's performance obligations in generating the commissions have been substantially completed. Trailing commissions receivable is estimated based on a number of factors, including market levels and the amount of trailing commission revenues received in prior periods. A substantial portion of the commissions are ultimately paid to the financial advisors. The Company records an estimate for transaction-based commissions payable based upon the payout rate of the financial advisor generating the accrued commission revenue. The Company records an estimate for trailing commissions payable based upon historical payout ratios.

Property and equipment: Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed under the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:



Computer equipment and software	3 years
Data center servers	3 years
Internally-developed software	3 years
Office equipment	7 years
Office furniture	7 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of lease term or economic life

The Company capitalizes certain internal-use software development costs, consisting primarily of contractor costs and employee salaries and benefits allocated on a project or product basis. The Company capitalized $0.3 million, $0.3 million, and nil of internal-use software costs in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Business combinations and intangible assets including goodwill: The Company accounts for business combinations using the acquisition method. The acquisition-date fair value of total consideration includes cash and contingent consideration. Since the Company is contractually obligated to pay contingent consideration upon the achievement of specified objectives, a contingent consideration liability is recorded at the acquisition date. The Company reviews its assumptions related to the fair value of the contingent consideration liability each reporting period and, if there are material changes, revalues the contingent consideration liability based on the revised assumptions, until such contingency is satisfied through payment upon the achievement of the specified objectives. The change in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability is recognized in "General and administrative" expense on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the period in which the fair value changes.

Goodwill is calculated as the excess of the acquisition-date fair value of total consideration over the acquisition-date fair value of net assets, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets, and is assigned to reporting units that are expected to benefit from the synergies of the business combination as of the acquisition date. Reporting units are consistent with reportable segments and include the former Search and Content and E-Commerce segments. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives on a straight-line basis. Acquisition-related costs, including advisory, legal, accounting, valuation, and other similar costs, are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in the consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date.

Goodwill and intangible assets impairment: The Company evaluates goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, as of November 30, or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. As part of the impairment evaluation, the Company may elect to perform an assessment of qualitative factors. If this qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit (for goodwill) or an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying value, or if the Company elects to bypass the qualitative assessment, the Company then would proceed with the quantitative impairment test.

The goodwill quantitative impairment test is a two-step process that first compares the carrying values of reporting units to their fair values. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the fair value, a second step is performed to compute the amount of impairment. This second step determines the current fair values of all assets and liabilities of the reporting unit and then compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill to the carrying value of that goodwill. If the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

The indefinite-lived intangible asset quantitative impairment test compares the carrying value of the intangible asset to its fair value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.

Fair value typically is estimated using the present value of future discounted cash flows, an income approach. The significant estimates in the discounted cash flow model include the weighted-average cost of capital, long-term rates of revenue growth and/or profitability of our businesses, and working capital effects. The weighted-average cost of capital considers the relevant risk associated with business-specific characteristics and the uncertainty related to each business's ability to achieve the projected cash flows. To validate the reasonableness of the reporting unit fair values, the Company reconciles the aggregate fair values of its reporting units to the aggregate market value of its common stock on the date of valuation, while considering a reasonable acquisition premium. These estimates and the resulting valuations require significant judgment.

Definite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. The determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of pre-tax undiscounted future cash flows, using the Company's best estimates of future net sales and operating expenses, expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or group of assets over the remaining economic life of the primary asset in the asset group. The Company measures the amount of the impairment as the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value.

See "Note 4: Discontinued Operations" for discussion of impairment of goodwill and intangible assets in the fourth quarters of 2015 and 2014.

Equity method investments: The Company currently holds equity securities and warrants to purchase equity securities, for business and strategic purposes, in companies whose securities are not publicly traded. The equity method is used to account for investments in these companies, if the investment provides the Company with the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investees. The Company records its proportionate share of the net earnings or losses of equity method investees and a corresponding increase or decrease to the investment balances. The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such investments may have experienced a decline in value (see "Note 13: Other Loss, Net"). The Company’s equity investments were carried at a fair value of nil at December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Debt issuance costs and debt discounts: Debt issuance costs and debt discounts are deferred and amortized as interest expense under the effective interest method over the contractual term of the related debt, adjusted for prepayments in the case of the Company’s credit facilities (see "Note 4: Discontinued Operations" and "Note 8: Debt"). Debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements are recorded in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net." All other debt issuance costs and debt discounts are recorded as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the recognized debt.

Debt issuance costs related to the Company’s Convertible Senior Notes (the “Notes”) issued in 2013 were allocated to the liability and equity components of the instrument. The debt issuance costs allocated to the liability component are amortized to interest expense through the earlier of the maturity date of the Notes or the date of conversion, if any. The debt issuance costs allocated to the equity component of the Notes were recorded as an offset to "Additional paid-in capital" (See "Note 8: Debt").

Derivative instruments and hedging: The Company recognized derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at their fair value. The Company recorded changes in the fair value of the derivative instruments as gains or losses either in "Other loss, net" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income, for those not designated as a hedging instrument (the Warrant - see "Note 10: Stockholders' Equity"), or in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the consolidated balance sheets, for those used in a hedging relationship (the interest rate swap - see "Note 8: Debt"). The Warrant and interest rate swap were settled in the last half of 2013.

The change in the fair value of the Warrant resulted in a loss of $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2013.

The interest rate swap agreement was used for the purpose of minimizing exposure to changes in interest rates and was accounted for as a cash flow hedge. The hedge was perfectly effective through termination, and no ineffectiveness was recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The Company had no other swap agreements outstanding at December 31, 2015.

Fair value of financial instruments: The Company measures its cash equivalents, available-for-sale investments, and derivative instruments at fair value. The Company considers the carrying values of accounts receivable, other receivables, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities to approximate fair values primarily due to their short-term natures.

Fair value 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. Cash equivalents and debt securities are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values its cash equivalents and debt securities utilizing market observable inputs. The contingent consideration liability is related to the Company's acquisition of SimpleTax Software Inc. (“SimpleTax”) and is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values the liability utilizing significant inputs not observable in the market. Specifically, the Company has determined the fair value of the contingent consideration liability based on a probability-weighted discounted cash flow analysis, which includes assumptions related to estimating revenues, the probability of payment, and the discount rate. The Company accounts for contingent consideration in accordance with applicable accounting guidance pertaining to business combinations, as disclosed in the accounting policy "Business combinations and intangible assets including goodwill."

Redeemable non-controlling interests: Non-controlling interests that are redeemable at the option of the holder and not solely within the control of the issuer are classified outside of stockholders' equity. In connection with the acquisition of HD Vest, management of that business has retained an ownership interest. The Company is party to put and call arrangements with respect to these interests. These put and call arrangements allow HD Vest management to require the Company to purchase their interests or allow the Company to acquire such interests, respectively. The put arrangements do not meet the definition of a derivative instrument as the put agreements do not provide for net settlement. To the extent that the redemption value of these interests exceeds the value determined by adjusting the carrying value for the subsidiary's attribution of net income (loss), the value of such interests is adjusted to the redemption value with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital.

Revenue recognition, general: The Company recognizes revenue when all four revenue recognition criteria have been met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the Company has delivered the product or performed the service, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. Determining whether and when these criteria have been satisfied involves exercising judgment and using estimates and assumptions that can have an impact on the timing and amount of revenue that the Company recognizes.

The Company evaluates whether revenue should be presented on a gross basis, which is the amount that a customer pays for the service or product, or on a net basis, which is the customer payment less amounts the Company pays to suppliers. In making that evaluation, the Company primarily considers indicators such as whether the Company is the primary obligor in the arrangement and assumes the risks and rewards as a principal in the customer transaction. The evaluation of these factors, which at times can be contradictory, are subject to significant judgment and subjectivity.

Tax preparation revenue recognition: The Company derives service revenue from the sale of tax preparation online services, ancillary service offerings, packaged tax preparation software, and multiple element arrangements that may include a combination of these items. Ancillary service offerings include tax preparation support services, data archive services, e-filing services, bank or reloadable pre-paid debit card services, and other value-added services. This revenue is recorded in the Tax Preparation segment.

The Company’s Tax Preparation segment revenue consists primarily of hosted tax preparation online services, tax preparation support services, data archive services, and e-filing services. The Company recognizes revenue from these services as the services are performed and the four revenue recognition criteria described above are met.

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its packaged software when legal title transfers. This is generally when its customers download the software from the Internet or when the software ships.

The bank or reloadable prepaid debit card services are offered to taxpayers as an option to receive their tax refunds in the form of a prepaid bank card or to have the fees for the software and/or services purchased by the customers deducted from their refunds. Other value-added service revenue consists of revenue from revenue sharing and royalty arrangements with third party partners. Revenue for these transactions is recognized when the four revenue recognition criteria described above are met; for some arrangements that is upon filing and for other arrangements that is upon the Company’s determination of when collectibility is probable.

For software and/or services that consist of multiple elements, the Company must: (1) determine whether and when each element has been delivered; (2) determine the fair value of each element using the selling price hierarchy of vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value if available, third-party evidence (“TPE”) of fair value if VSOE is not available, and estimated selling price (“ESP”) if neither VSOE nor TPE is available; and (3) allocate the total price among the various elements based on the relative selling price method. Once the Company has allocated the total price among the various elements, it recognizes revenue when the revenue recognition criteria described above are met for each element.

VSOE generally exists when the Company sells the deliverable separately. When VSOE cannot be established, the Company attempts to establish a selling price for each element based on TPE. TPE is determined based on competitor prices for similar deliverables when sold separately. When the Company is unable to establish selling price using VSOE or TPE, it uses ESP in its allocation of arrangement consideration. ESP is the estimated price at which the Company would sell the software or service if it were sold on a stand-alone basis. The Company determines ESP for the software or service by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, historical stand-alone sales, pricing practices, market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs, and gross margin objectives.

In some situations, the Company receives advance payments from its customers. The Company defers revenue associated with these advance payments and recognizes the consideration for each element when the Company ships the software or performs the services, as appropriate. Advance payments related to data archive services are deferred and recognized over the related contractual term.

Cost of revenue: The Company records the cost of revenue for sales of services when the related revenue is recognized. "Services cost of revenue" consists of costs related to the Tax Preparation business, which include royalties, bank product services fees, and costs associated with the operation of its data centers. Data center costs include personnel expenses (salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), software support and maintenance, bandwidth and hosting costs, and depreciation. Cost of revenue also includes the amortization of acquired technology.

Engineering and technology expenses: Engineering and technology expenses are associated with the research, development, support, and ongoing enhancements of the Company’s offerings, which include personnel expenses (salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), the cost of temporary help and contractors to augment staffing, software support and maintenance, and professional services fees. Research and development expenses were $4.8 million, $2.8 million, and $2.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively.

Sales and marketing expenses: Sales and marketing expenses consist principally of marketing expenses associated with the Company’s TaxAct business (which include television, radio, online, text, email, and sponsorship channels) and personnel expenses (salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs) for personnel engaged in marketing and selling activities.

Costs for advertising are recorded as expense when the advertisement appears. Advertising expense totaled $35.5 million, $33.4 million, and $32.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively. Prepaid advertising costs were $3.9 million and $3.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

General and administrative expenses: General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel expenses (salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), the cost of temporary help and contractors to augment staffing, professional services fees (which include legal, audit, and tax fees), general business development and management expenses, occupancy and general office expenses, business taxes, and insurance expenses.

Stock-based compensation: The Company measures stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes it as expense, net of estimated forfeitures, over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock award using the straight-line method. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation over the vesting period for each separately vesting portion of a share-based award as if they were individual share-based awards. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

Employee benefit plan: The Company has a 401(k) savings plan covering its employees. Eligible employees may contribute through payroll deductions. The Company may match the employees’ 401(k) contributions at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors. Pursuant to a continuing resolution, the Company has matched a portion of the 401(k) contributions made by its employees. The amount contributed by the Company ranges from 1% to 4% of an employee's salary, depending upon the percentage contributed by the employee. For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, the Company contributed $0.6 million, $0.3 million, and $0.3 million, respectively, for employees.

Leases: The Company leases office space, and these leases are classified as operating leases.

Income taxes: The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Company periodically evaluates the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets and reduces the carrying amount of the deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance to the extent the Company believes a portion will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of the deferred tax assets, including expectations of future taxable income, recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, and other relevant factors. There is a wide range of possible judgments relating to the valuation of the Company's deferred tax assets.

The Company records liabilities to address uncertain tax positions that have been taken in previously filed tax returns or that are expected to be taken in a future tax return. The determination for required liabilities is based upon an analysis of each individual tax position, taking into consideration whether it is more likely than not that the tax position, based on technical merits, will be sustained upon examination. The tax benefit to be recognized in the financial statements from such a position is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. The difference between the amount recognized and the total tax position is recorded as a liability. The ultimate resolution of these tax positions may be greater or less than the liabilities recorded. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense and general and administrative expense, respectively.

Other comprehensive income: Comprehensive income includes net income plus items that are recorded directly to stockholders’ equity, including the net change in unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments and certain derivative instruments as well as foreign currency translation adjustments. Included in the net change in unrealized gains and losses are realized gains or losses, including other-than-temporary impairment losses, included in the determination of net income in the period realized. Amounts reclassified out of other comprehensive income into net income were determined on the basis of specific identification.

Foreign currency: The financial position and operating results of the Company's foreign operations are consolidated using the local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities recorded in local currencies are translated at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate for the applicable period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" on the consolidated balance sheets. The gain or loss on foreign currency transactions, calculated as the difference between the historical exchange rate and the exchange rate at the applicable measurement date, are recorded in "Other loss, net" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Concentration of credit risk: Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments, and trade receivables. These instruments are generally unsecured and uninsured. The Company places a significant amount of its cash equivalents and investments with major financial institutions. Accounts receivable are typically unsecured and are derived from revenues earned from customers primarily located in the United States operating in a variety of geographic areas. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and maintains allowances for potential credit losses.

The Company attempts to manage exposure to counterparty credit risk by only entering into agreements with major financial institutions which are expected to be able to fully perform under the terms of the agreement.

Geographic revenue information: Almost all of the Company's revenue for 2015, 2014, and 2013 was generated from customers located in the United States.

Recent accounting pronouncements: Changes to GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”). The Company considers the applicability and impact of all recent ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance codified in ASC 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which amends the guidance in former ASC 605 "Revenue Recognition." The core principle of the guidance 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. This will be achieved in a five-step process. Enhanced disclosures also will be required. This guidance is effective on a retrospective basis--either to each reporting period presented or with the cumulative effect of initially applying this guidance recognized at the date of initial application--for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017. Earlier application is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The Company currently is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued two separate ASUs, both of which are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Earlier adoption is permitted for both ASUs.

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One of these ASUs provides guidance about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, in which case the software license element should be accounted for consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses; otherwise, the arrangement should be accounted for as a service contract. This guidance may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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The other ASU provides guidance related to the balance sheet presentation of debt issuance costs, in which debt issuance costs should be presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the recognized debt, unless the debt issuance costs relate to line-of-credit arrangements, in which case asset presentation of such debt issuance costs would still be permitted. This guidance must be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted this ASU as of December 31, 2015 on a retrospective basis and reclassified debt issuance costs related to arrangements (that were not line-of-credit arrangements) previously reported in "Other long-term assets" to "Long-term debt, net" in the consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2014 (see "Note 8: Debt"). The reclassification had no effect on reported revenues, operating income, or cash flows for the periods presented.

In November 2015, the FASB issued an ASU on the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes, which would require that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as non-current in the balance sheet. Current GAAP requires the presentation of deferred tax assets and liabilities as either current or non-current in the balance sheet. This ASU is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Earlier adoption is permitted. The guidance may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company adopted this ASU as of December 31, 2015 on a retrospective basis and reclassified current deferred tax assets previously reported in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net" to the long-term "Deferred tax liability, net" in the consolidated balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2014. The reclassification had no effect on reported revenues, operating income, or cash flows for the periods presented.