On occasion, we enter into relationships or investments with other entities that may be a variable interest entity, or VIE. We analyze our interests, including agreements, loans, guarantees, and equity investments on a periodic basis to determine if such interests are variable interests. If variable interests are identified, then the related entity is assessed to determine if it is a VIE. If we determine that the entity is a VIE, we then assess if we must consolidate the VIE as the primary beneficiary. Our determination of whether we are the primary beneficiary is based upon qualitative and quantitative analyses, which assess the purpose and design of the VIE, the nature of the VIE’s risks and the risks that we absorb, the power to direct activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIE, and the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be significant to the VIE.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent liabilities in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, however not limited to, revenue recognition, sales allowances and expected credit loss allowances, available-for-sale debt securities, other equity securities, recoverability of long-lived assets and goodwill, income taxes, commitments and contingencies, valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, valuation of assets in asset acquisitions, fair value of derivative instruments and stock-based compensation. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the estimates compared to historical experience and other factors including the current economic and regulatory environment, which form the basis for our judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities.

The results of businesses acquired in a business combination are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. Purchase accounting results in assets and liabilities of an acquired business being recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. Any excess purchase consideration over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill.

We perform valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for an acquisition and allocate the purchase price to their respective net tangible and intangible assets. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires management to use judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of cash flows, discount rates and selection of comparable companies. We generally engage the assistance of a third-party valuation firm in determining fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and contingent consideration, if any, in a business combination.

We evaluate acquisitions to determine whether the acquisition should be classified as either a business combination or an asset acquisition. Acquisitions for which substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired are concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets are accounted for as an asset acquisition. If the gross assets are not concentrated in a single asset or group of similar assets, we then determine if the set of assets acquired represents a business. A business is an integrated set of activities and assets capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return. Depending on the nature of the acquisition, judgment may be required to determine if the set of assets acquired is a business combination or not. We allocate the purchase price on a relative fair value basis and capitalize direct acquisition related costs as part of the purchase price. In making estimates of fair values for purposes of allocating the purchase price, we utilize an independent third-party to value the net tangible and identified intangible assets in connection with the acquisition.

The British Pound Sterling is the functional currency for our foreign subsidiaries domiciled in the U.K. The financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are translated to U.S. Dollars using period-end rates of exchange for assets and liabilities, historical rates of exchange for equity, and average rates of exchange for the period for revenue and expenses. Translation gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income as a component of our consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity. We recognized foreign currency transaction gain in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations of $1.4 million for 2023 and losses of $3.6 million and $0.9 million for 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received from selling an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The standard establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the level of independent, objective evidence surrounding the inputs


Level 1 —			Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.
Level 2 —			Quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or financial instruments for which significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 —			Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, our financial assets recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consist of cash equivalents and available-for-sale debt securities. At December 31, 2022, our financial liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis consisted of contingent consideration from the acquisition of United Agency Services Corp, or UA Services. The cash equivalent consists of money market funds valued using quoted prices in active markets, which represents Level 1 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. The available-for-sale debt securities are valued using a Monte Carlo simulation, which include inputs that represent Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. Contingent consideration is valued using the present value and probability of the estimated future cash outflow, which include inputs that represent Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

We maintain accounts in U.S. and U.K. banks with funds insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC, and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, or FSCS, respectively. Our bank accounts may, at times, exceed the FDIC and FSCS insured limits. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents. Management believes that we are not exposed to any significant credit risk related to our cash or cash equivalents and have not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original maturities of ninety days or less at the date of purchase. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, our cash consisted of bank account deposits and our cash equivalents consisted of $209.0 million and $130.2 million, respectively, invested in money market funds.

Our accounts receivable balances, which are not collateralized and do not bear interest, primarily consist of amounts receivable from our credit and debit card merchant processors, customer receivables, and fees due from third-parties for services purchased by our customers from such third-parties. We reduce our accounts receivable for sales allowances and a reserve for potentially uncollectible receivables. We determine the amount of the allowances based on various factors, including historical collection experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, credit quality of our customers, current economic conditions, reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions, and other factors that may affect our ability to collect from customers. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when we determine that it is not probable we will collect the receivable. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the allowance for credit losses was not material.

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred whereas significant renewals and enhancements are capitalized. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective

Software development costs include costs to develop software to be used to meet internal needs and applications used to deliver our services. We capitalize development costs related to these software applications once the preliminary project stage is complete and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used to perform the function intended. We amortize internal-use software costs on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of three years commencing when the internal-use software is substantially complete and ready for its intended purpose. Costs related to development of internal-use software are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in property and equipment, net. Costs related to implementation of cloud computing arrangements that do not include a software license are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets in prepaid expenses and other current and non-current assets and are amortized over the contractual term of the underlying service arrangement.

Intangible assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization. Intangible assets with finite lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which approximates the pattern in which the economic benefits are consumed. We amortize our intangible assets over an estimated useful life of two to six years.

We assess the impairment of long-lived assets, which consist primarily of property and equipment, right of use assets, acquired intangible assets, and capitalized internal-use software costs, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that such assets might be impaired and the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment testing is performed at an asset level that represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, or an asset group. If an asset group is considered impaired, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset group’s carrying value over their fair value is recorded. Fair value is determined based on the present value of estimated expected future cash flows using a discount rate commensurate with the risk involved, quoted market prices, or appraised values, depending on the nature of the assets.

Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate fair value of the consideration transferred in a business combination over the fair value of the assets acquired, net of liabilities assumed. Goodwill is not amortized, however, it is subject to impairment testing at the reporting unit level annually during the fourth quarter of our fiscal year or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired.

In assessing impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether or not a reporting unit is impaired. Alternatively, we may perform a quantitative impairment assessment, or if the qualitative assessment indicates that it is more-likely-than-not that the reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative analysis is required. The quantitative analysis compares the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its respective carrying amount, including goodwill. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount including goodwill, goodwill is considered not to be impaired. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount including goodwill, then a goodwill impairment charge is recorded by the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value, up to the carrying amount of goodwill.

Prior to our IPO in 2021, derivative financial instruments, which included interest rate swaps, an interest rate cap, and a financial guarantee relating to a former executive officer, were recorded at fair value. For derivatives that qualified for hedge accounting, specifically as cash flow hedges, the change in fair value of the derivatives was recorded as an unrealized gain (loss), net of taxes, in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive (loss) income. For derivatives that did not qualify for hedge accounting, the change in the fair value of our derivatives related to our long-term debt were recorded in interest expense, net, and the change in the fair value of our financial guarantee was recorded in other income, net, in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In 2021, our derivative positions were extinguished in connection with our IPO and full repayment of our long-term debt.

At December 31, 2023 and 2022, we held long-term investments of certain privately held companies through the purchase of convertible promissory notes. These investments are classified as available-for-sale debt securities. For available-for-sale debt securities that have the estimated fair values below their amortized cost basis, we evaluate our intent to sell the security or whether we will more likely than not be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either of these criteria are met, the security’s amortized cost basis is written down to its fair value through earnings. If these criteria are not met, we evaluate whether the decline in fair value has resulted from credit loss or other factors. If the assessment indicates a credit loss exists, the credit-related portion of the loss is recorded as allowance for credit loss with a corresponding credit loss expense, included in the consolidated statement of operations. If the assessment indicates a credit loss does not exist, impairment is recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income, net of applicable taxes.

We hold investments in equity securities of certain privately held companies, which do not have readily determinable fair values. We have elected to measure these non-marketable investments at cost, with remeasurements to fair value only upon the occurrence of observable price changes in orderly transactions for identical or similar securities of the same issuer, or in the event of any impairment. This election is reassessed each reporting period to determine whether a non-marketable equity security has a readily determinable fair value, in which case they would no longer be eligible for this election. We evaluate our non-marketable equity securities for impairment at each reporting period based on a qualitative assessment that considers various potential impairment indicators. If an impairment exists, a loss is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of the investment. We include investments in equity securities within other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

We classify long-lived assets or asset groups we plan to sell as held for sale on our consolidated balance sheets only after certain criteria have been met including: management has the authority and commits to a plan to sell the asset, the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition, an active program to locate a buyer and the plan to sell the asset have been initiated, the sale of the asset is probable within twelve months, the asset is being actively marketed at a reasonable sales price relative to its current fair value, and it is unlikely that the plan to sell will be withdrawn or that significant changes to the plan will be made. We record assets or asset groups held for sale at the lower of their carrying value or fair value less costs to sell. Once classified as held for sale, depreciation and amortization is not recorded for any long-lived assets.

On January 1, 2022, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, No. 842, Leases, and related amendments, using the modified retrospective method. Financial information related to periods prior to adoption is as originally reported under the FASB, ASC No. 840, Leases. On January 1, 2022, we recorded operating lease ROU assets of $5.7 million and operating lease liabilities of $5.9 million. The difference between the leased assets and lease liabilities represents the existing deferred rent liabilities balance at adoption, resulting from historical straight-line recognition of operating leases, which was reclassified upon adoption to reduce the measurement of the leased assets. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on our stockholders’ equity, results of operations, or cash flows.

We have also made accounting policy elections, including a short-term lease exception policy, permitting us to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases, which are leases with expected terms of twelve months or less, and an accounting policy to account for lease and certain non-lease components as a single component for certain classes of assets. Additionally, we used the portfolio approach when applying the discount rate selected based on the dollar amount and term of the obligation.

We determined whether an arrangement is a lease, or contains a lease, at inception if we are able to identify an asset and can conclude we have the right to control the identified asset for a period of time. Leases are included in operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are not recorded in our accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

ROU assets represent our right to control an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the discount rate used to present value lease payments. We used the incremental borrowing rate on January 1, 2022 for operating leases that commenced on or prior to that date. The incremental borrowing rate used is estimated based on what we would be required to pay for a collateralized loan over a similar term. Our leases typically do not include any residual value guarantees, bargain purchase options, or asset retirement obligations.

Our lease terms are only for periods in which we have enforceable rights. A lease is no longer enforceable when both the lessee and the lessor each have the right to terminate the lease without permission from the other party with no more than an insignificant penalty. Our lease terms are impacted by options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. We generally use the base, non-cancelable lease term when determining the lease assets and liabilities.

Debt issuance costs associated with our term loans are deducted from the carrying value of current and long-term debt in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the term of the loan using the effective interest method. Debt issuance costs associated with revolving facilities are classified as other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the term of the respective facility on a straight-line basis over the term of the revolving facilities. Debt issuance costs are amortized to interest expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. In 2021, upon the full repayment of our long-term debt in connection with our IPO, we recorded a loss on debt extinguishment of $7.7 million, which mainly consisted of unamortized debt issuance costs.

We record certain legal, accounting, and other third-party fees in other assets that are directly associated with in-process equity financings until such financings are consummated. After consummation, these costs are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a reduction from the proceeds of the offering. Should the equity financing no longer be considered probable of being consummated, the deferred offering costs are expensed in the consolidated statements of operations within income from operations.

In 2021, we incurred $5.6 million related to our IPO, which is included in additional-paid in capital in the accompanying consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ equity. There were no deferred stock issuance costs recognized in other assets as of December 31, 2023 or 2022.

Transaction revenue—Transaction revenue is primarily generated from our customized legal document services upon fulfillment of these services. Transaction revenue includes filing fees and is net of cancellations, promotional discounts, sales allowances and credit reserves. Tax preparation services are recognized at the point in time when the customer’s tax return is filed and accepted by the applicable government authority. We also earn fees from third-party providers from leads generated to such providers through our online legal platform.

Subscription revenue—Subscription revenue is generated primarily from subscriptions to our registered agent, compliance packages, attorney advice, legal forms, tax and accounting, virtual mail and e-signature services, and software-as-a-service, or SaaS, accounting solution subscriptions and SaaS subscriptions in the

U.K. We generally recognize revenue from our subscriptions ratably over the subscription term. Subscription terms generally range from thirty days to one year. Subscription revenue includes the transaction price allocated to bundled free trials for our subscription services and is net of promotional discounts, cancellations, sales allowances and credit reserves and payments to third-party service providers.

For transaction and subscription revenue, we generally collect payments and fees at the time orders are placed and prior to services being rendered. We record amounts collected for services that have not been performed as deferred revenue on our consolidated balance sheet. The transaction price that we record is generally based on the contractual amounts and is reduced for estimated sales allowances for price concessions, charge-backs, sales credits and refunds, which are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize.

We determine revenue recognition through the following five steps: identification of a contract with a customer; identification of the performance obligations in the contract; determination of the transaction price; allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and recognition of revenue when or as the performance obligations are satisfied.

Our customers generally pay for transactions in advance by credit or debit card except for certain services provided under installment plans where we allow customers to pay for their order in three equal payments. The first installment due under the installment plans is charged to the customer’s debit or credit card on the date the order is placed, and the remaining installments are generally charged on a monthly basis thereafter. We recognize revenue for the amount we expect to be entitled to for providing the services to our customers. The total fees collected by us for our services include, as applicable, expedited services fees, government filing fees and shipping fees.

Subscription services are generally paid monthly or annually in advance of the subscription period except for SaaS services in the U.K., which are invoiced monthly in arrears. Amounts collected in advance of revenue recognition are recorded in deferred revenue. Customers may pay for services, however, may not provide the necessary information to complete a transaction. We attempt to contact the customer to complete the abandoned order. We recognize revenue on abandoned services, or breakage, when it is likely to occur and the amount can be recognized without significant risk of reversal. We recognize breakage in proportion to the pattern of rights exercised by the customer. Judgment is required to determine the amount of breakage and when breakage is likely to occur, which we estimate based on historical data of breakage for similar services.

Services we offer can generally either be purchased on a stand-alone basis or bundled together as part of a package of services. Accordingly, a significant number of our arrangements include multiple performance obligations, such as the preparation of legal documents combined with related document revision, registered agent services, and free trial periods of our legal plans. At contract inception, we assess the services promised in our contracts with customers and identify performance obligations for each promise to transfer to the customer a service or bundle of services that is distinct. The identification of distinct performance obligations within our packages may require significant judgment.

The transaction price allocated to each separate performance obligation represents the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for the services we provide. The transaction price is based on the contractual amounts in our contracts and is reduced for estimated sales allowances for price concessions, charge-backs, sales credits and refunds, which are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. We only include variable consideration in the transaction price to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. We estimate sales allowances using the expected value method. We recognize a liability or a reduction of accounts receivable, and a reduction to revenue based on the estimated amount of sales allowances. We record sales allowances as a reduction of accounts receivable where we expect not to collect the full amount of the outstanding accounts receivable and we record sales allowances as a liability for estimated refunds or credits where we have collected the amounts due from the customer. We have established a sufficient history of estimating sales allowances given the large number of homogeneous transactions. The majority of our allowances and reserves are known within a relatively short period of time following our balance sheet date. The estimated provision for sales allowances has varied from actual results within ranges consistent with management’s expectations. The transaction price excludes sales taxes.

Contracts with our customers may include options to purchase additional future services, and in the case of subscription services, options to auto-renew the subscription service. Additional consideration attributable to either the option to purchase additional future services or the option to renew are excluded from the transaction price until such time that the option is exercised, unless these options provide a material right to the customer.

For arrangements that contain multiple performance obligations, such as our bundled arrangements, we allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation based on estimates of the standalone selling price of each performance obligation within the bundle. For the services we sell on a standalone basis, we use the sales price of these services in the allocation of the transaction price in bundled arrangements. Where we do not sell the service on a standalone basis, we estimate the standalone selling price based on the adjusted market assessment approach or the expected cost plus a margin approach when market information is not observable. In these cases, the determination of the standalone selling price may require significant judgment.

We recognize revenue when we satisfy the performance obligation by transferring the promised good or service to the customer. For our transaction-based services, we generally recognize revenue at a point-in-time when the services are delivered to the customer. For our subscription-based services we generally recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the subscription term. Revenue earned from leads generated to third-party providers is recognized at a point-in-time when the related performance-based criteria have been met. We assess whether performance criteria have been met on a cost-per-click or cost-per-action basis.

In certain of our arrangements, another party may be involved in providing services to our customer. We evaluate whether we can recognize revenue gross as a principal or net as an agent. We record revenue on a gross basis when we are the principal in the arrangement. To determine whether we are a principal or an agent, we identify the specified good or service to be provided to the customer and assess whether we control the specified good or service before that good or service is transferred to the customer. We evaluate a number of indicators of whether we control the good or service before it is transferred to the customer, including whether we have primary fulfillment responsibility and obligation to perform the services being sold to the customer; we have latitude in establishing the sales price; and we have inventory risk.

In arrangements in which we are the principal, we record as revenue the amounts we have billed to our customer, net of sales allowance, and we record the fee payable to the third-party as cost of revenue. We are the principal in most of our legal document preparation and registered agent services, including legal entity formations and similar arrangements and formation in the U.K. and since December 2021, tax advisory and preparation services through our fulfilled tax subscription, LZ Tax. For these services, revenue includes filing and similar fees. Our alternative business structures, or ABS, offer legal advisory services that are marketed through our websites. Our ABS provides independent legal advice to our customers and is directly responsible for, and control the fulfillment of, the legal services. Accordingly, for services provided by our ABS, we recognize revenue as the principal.

In arrangements in which we are not the principal, we record revenue on a net basis, which is equal to the amount billed to our customer, net of sales allowances and the fee payable to the third-party or partner that is primarily responsible for performing the services for the customer. Except for our Arizona ABS, we are not a law firm in the U.S. and cannot provide legal advice through our U.S. entities. Therefore, the participating independent law firms in our legal plans control the service to the customer and have the primary service obligation to provide attorney consultations to our customers, for which we pay the law firms a monthly fee. For these arrangements, we recognize revenue on a net basis as an agent. For other services provided by third-parties, including deed transfer, accounting, tax, business data protection, revenue is recognized net of fees payable to third-parties. For revenue earned from leads generated to third-party providers, we receive a fee for the referral of our customer to a third-party provider or we retain a portion of the fee paid by the customer and share the remainder with a third-party. The third-party providers control the service to the customer and are responsible for fulfilling the referred service to the customer; accordingly, we recognize revenue for these arrangements on a net basis.

Cost of revenue includes all costs of providing and fulfilling our services. Cost of revenue primarily includes government filing fees, costs of fulfillment, customer care, including the cost of credentialed professionals for tax, and payroll services, and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, and costs of independent contractors for document preparation, telecommunications and data center costs,

amortization of acquired developed technology, depreciation and amortization of network computers, equipment and internal-use software, printing, shipping and handling charges, credit and debit card fees, allocated overhead, legal document kit expenses, and sales and use taxes. We defer direct and incremental costs primarily related to government filing fees incurred prior to the associated service meeting the criteria for revenue recognition. These contract assets are recognized as cost of revenue in the same period the related revenue is recognized. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in deferred cost of revenue included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Filing fees of $88.1 million, $74.1 million and $79.8 million were recorded in cost of revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Sales and marketing expenses consist of customer acquisition media costs, compensation and related benefits, including stock-based compensation for marketing and sales personnel, media production, public relations and other promotional activities, general business development activities, an allocation of depreciation and amortization and allocated overhead. Customer acquisition media costs consist primarily of search engine marketing, television and social media costs. Marketing and advertising costs to promote our services are expensed in the period incurred. Media production costs are expensed the first time the advertisement is aired. Advertising expenses, consisting of customer acquisition media costs, were $145.3 million, $174.6 million and $195.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively.

Technology and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, expenses for outside consultants, an allocation of depreciation and amortization and allocated overhead. These expenses include costs incurred in the development and implementation of our products, websites, mobile applications, online legal platform, research and development and related infrastructure. Technology and development expenses are expensed as incurred, except to the extent that such costs are associated with internal-use software costs that qualify for capitalization as previously described under Internal-use Software and Cloud Computing Arrangements.

We estimate the fair value of employee stock-based payment awards on the grant-date and recognize the resulting fair value, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model for estimating the fair value of options granted under our stock option plans that vest based on service and performance conditions. The fair value of restricted stock units, or RSUs, that vest based on service and performance conditions is determined based on the value of the underlying common stock at the date of grant. For awards that contain market conditions, we estimate the fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model. We record expense for awards that contain performance conditions only to the extent that we determine it is probable that the performance condition will be achieved. Expense for awards containing market conditions is not reversed even if the market condition is not achieved. We have elected to treat stock-based payment awards with graded vesting schedules and time-based service conditions as a single award and recognize stock-based compensation on a straight-line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period. Awards with performance or market conditions are recognized using graded vesting.

The fair value of the shares of common stock underlying stock options and RSUs is based upon our publicly listed share price on the date of grant. Prior to our IPO, the fair value of the shares of common stock was determined by the board of directors. Because there was no public market for our common stock, the board of directors determined the fair value of the common stock at the time of the grant of options and RSUs by considering a number of objective and subjective factors including valuation of comparable companies, sales of common stock to unrelated third-parties, operating and financial performance and general and industry-specific economic outlook, amongst other factors. The fair value was determined in accordance

Because our common stock has limited publicly traded history, we estimate the expected volatility from the historical volatility of selected public companies with comparable characteristics to us, including similarity in size, lines of business, market capitalization and revenue and financial leverage. We determine the expected volatility assumption using the frequency of daily historical prices of comparable public company’s common stock for a period equal to the expected term of the options. We periodically assess the comparable companies and other relevant factors used to measure expected volatility for future stock option grants.

The dividend yield assumption is based on our history and expectation of dividend payouts. Other than the special dividends declared in 2021 and 2020, which resulted in corresponding reductions in the exercise price of the stock options, we have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

The determination of stock-based compensation is inherently uncertain and subjective and involves the application of valuation models and assumptions requiring the use of judgment. If we had made different assumptions, our stock-based compensation expense, and our net income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021 may have been materially different.

On occasion we are involved in legal proceedings, claims, and regulatory, indirect tax examinations or government inquiries and investigations that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We record loss contingencies in our consolidated financial statements in the period when they are probable and reasonably estimable. If the amount is probable and we are able to reasonably estimate a range of loss, we accrue the amount that is the best estimate within that range, and if no amount is better than any other in the range, we record the amount at the low end in the range. We disclose those contingencies that we believe are at least reasonably possible but not probable regardless of whether they are reasonably estimable. The likelihood of a loss is determined using several factors including the nature of the matter, advice of our internal and external counsel, previous experience and historical and other relevant information available to us. The determination of the likelihood of loss or the range of loss requires significant management judgment. Legal fees and other costs associated with such actions are expensed as incurred.

We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our consolidated financial statements. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates anticipated to be in effect when those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the period that includes the enactment date.

We make judgments in evaluating whether deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income. A valuation allowance is established if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risk associated with estimates of future taxable income in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. If our assumptions and consequently our estimates, change in the future, the valuation allowance may be increased or decreased, resulting in an increase or decrease, which may be material, to our provision for income taxes and the related impact on our net income (loss).

We recognize tax benefits from an uncertain position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits. If this threshold is met, we measure the tax benefit as the largest amount of the benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize penalties and interest accrued with respect to uncertain

We apply the two-class method for calculating net income per share. Under the two-class method, in periods where we generate net income, net income is allocated between common stock and other participating securities based on their participation rights. Prior to our IPO, our participating securities consisted of redeemable convertible preferred stock, which participated in dividends, if declared. For periods in which we report a net loss, the participating securities are not contractually obligated to share in our losses, and accordingly, no loss is allocated to the participating securities. Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding, net of unvested restricted stock, if any, during the period. We compute diluted net income (loss) per share under the two-class method where income is reallocated between common stock, potential common stock and participating securities. Potential common stock includes stock options, restricted stock units, restricted stock awards and employee stock purchase plans, or ESPPs and RSUs computed using the treasury stock method.

Prior to December 31, 2022, we qualified as an emerging growth company, or EGC, and were allowed by the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act to delay adoption of new or revised accounting pronouncements applicable to public companies until such pronouncements were made applicable to private companies. We became a large accelerated filer and no longer qualified as an EGC at the conclusion of the year ended December 31, 2022. The adoption dates discussed below for recently adopted accounting pronouncements reflect the transition periods required as a result of becoming a large accelerated filer as of December 31, 2022. We are required to adopt all future new or revised accounting pronouncements in accordance with public company timelines.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which revises the impairment model to utilize an expected loss methodology in place of the currently used incurred loss methodology, which results in more timely recognition of losses on financial instruments, including, but not limited to, available-for-sale debt securities and accounts receivable. We adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2022. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) — Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, or Topic 848, that provides optional relief to applying reference rate reform to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the LIBOR. Also, in January 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) — Scope, to clarify that cash flow hedges are eligible for certain optional expedients and exceptions for the application of subsequent assessment methods to assume perfect effectiveness as previously presented in ASU No. 2020-04. We adopted the provisions of Topic 848 upon issuance of this accounting standard and the adoption did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. This standard eliminates the beneficial conversion and cash conversion accounting models for convertible instruments. It also amends the accounting for certain contracts in an entity’s own equity that are currently accounted for as derivatives because of specific settlement provisions. In addition, the new guidance modifies how particular convertible instruments and certain contracts that may be settled in cash or shares impact the diluted earnings per share computation. We adopted ASU 2020-06 on January 1, 2022 and the adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-03, Fair Value Measurement—Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (Topic 820), or ASU 2022-03, which clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security and, therefore, is not considered in measuring fair value. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023. We early adopted ASU 2022-03 during the three months ended June 30, 2023. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-01, Leases (Topic 842): Common Control Arrangements, which amends certain provisions of ASC 842 related to the accounting for leasehold improvements in common-control arrangements. ASU 2023-01 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We early adopted ASU 2023-01 effective January 1, 2023. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-02, Accounting for Investments in Tax Credit Structures Using the Proportional Amortization Method, which allows reporting entities to elect to account for qualifying tax equity investments using the proportional amortization method, regardless of the program giving rise to the related income tax credits. ASU 2023-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. We early adopted ASU 2023-02 effective January 1, 2023. The adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-03 to amend various paragraphs in the ASC to align with the previously issued SEC guidance. ASU 2023-03 did not provide any new guidance, and there is no transition or effective date associated with it resulting in the ASU 2023-03 being effective upon issuance. Consequently, the adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires public entities to disclose information about their reportable segments’ significant expenses on an interim and annual basis. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Entities must adopt the changes to the segment reporting guidance on a retrospective basis, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires entities to disclose more detailed information in the reconciliation of their statutory tax rate to their effective tax rate. This accounting standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025. ASU 2023-09 will be applied prospectively with an option for retroactive application to each period in the financial statements, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements.