NOTE 9: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Changes in deferred revenue balances related to our POM for both company-owned and franchise offices, which is included in deferred revenue and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, are as follows:



(in 000s)
Nine months ended January 31,	2018			2017
Balance, beginning of the period	$	211,223		$	204,342
Amounts deferred for new extended service plans issued	29,023			28,391
Revenue recognized on previous deferrals	(86,347		)	(80,651		)
Balance, end of the period	$	153,899		$	152,082

Our liability related to estimated losses under the standard guarantee was $3.3 million, $5.7 million and $6.8 million as of January 31, 2018 and 2017 and April 30, 2017, respectively, and is included as part of our assisted tax preparation services. The short-term and long-term portions of this liability are included in deferred revenue and other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.

Our liability related to acquisitions for estimated contingent consideration was $11.9 million, $9.3 million and $10.4 million as of January 31, 2018 and 2017 and April 30, 2017, respectively, with amounts recorded in deferred revenue and other liabilities. Estimates of contingent payments are typically based on expected financial performance of the acquired business and economic conditions at the time of acquisition. Should actual results differ from our assumptions, future payments made will differ from the above estimate and any differences will be recorded in results from continuing operations.

We have contractual commitments to fund certain franchises with approved revolving lines of credit. Our total obligation under these lines of credit was $41.5 million at January 31, 2018, and net of amounts drawn and outstanding, our remaining commitment to fund totaled $12.6 million.

In connection with our agreement with BofI Federal Bank, a federal savings bank (BofI), we are required to purchase a 90% participation interest, at par, in all EAs originated by our lending partner. At January 31, 2018, the principal balance of purchased participation interests for current year totaled $345.0 million.

On July 27, 2017, we entered into a Refund Advance Program Agreement and certain ancillary agreements with BofI, pursuant to which they will originate and fund Refund Advance loans, and provide technology, software, and underwriting support services related to such loans during the 2018 tax season. The Refund Advance Program Agreement was subsequently amended on November 9, 2017. Refund Advance loans are offered to certain assisted U.S. tax preparation clients, based on client eligibility as determined by the loan originator. We pay loan origination fees based on volume and customer type. The loan origination fees are intended to cover expected loan losses and payments to capital providers, among other items. We have provided two limited guarantees related to this agreement. We have provided a limited guarantee up to $10 million related to loans to clients prior to the IRS accepting electronic filing. At January 31, 2018 we had accrued an estimated liability of $1.6 million related to this guarantee, compared to $0.6 million at January 31, 2017. We paid $0.4 million related to this guarantee for the fiscal year 2017 tax season. Additionally, we provided a limited guarantee for the remaining loans, up to $57 million in the aggregate, which would cover certain incremental loan losses. We do not expect that a material amount will be paid for this guarantee under anticipated loss scenarios.

LOSS CONTINGENCIES PERTAINING TO DISCONTINUED MORTGAGE OPERATIONS – SCC ceased originating mortgage loans in December 2007 and, in April 2008, sold its servicing assets and discontinued its remaining operations. Mortgage loans originated by SCC were sold either as whole loans to single third-party buyers, who generally securitized such loans, or in the form of residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBSs). In connection with the sale of loans and/or RMBSs, SCC made certain representations and warranties. Claims under these representations and warranties together with any settlement arrangements related to these losses are collectively referred to as "representation and warranty claims."

SCC accrues a liability for losses related to representation and warranty claims when those losses are believed to be both probable and reasonably estimable. SCC’s loss estimate as of January 31, 2018, is based on the best information currently available, management judgment, developments in relevant case law, and the terms of bulk settlements. In periods when a liability is accrued for such loss contingencies, the liability is included in deferred revenue and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. A rollforward of SCC’s accrued liability for these loss contingencies is as follows:



(in 000s)
Nine months ended January 31,	2018			2017
Balance, beginning of the period	$	4,500		$	65,265
Loss provisions	—			235
Payments	(4,500		)	(61,000		)
Balance, end of the period	$	—		$	4,500

Settlement payments were made during the current fiscal quarter pursuant to a settlement agreement entered into in fiscal year 2016.

See note 10, which addresses contingent losses that may be incurred with respect to various indemnification or contribution claims by underwriters, depositors, and securitization trustees in securitization transactions in which SCC participated.