Merger and Other Acquisition Expenses Schedule of Merger and Other Acquisition Expenses (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Merger and Other Acquisition Expenses [Table Text Block]

The table below summarizes the major components of merger and other acquisition expenses:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2016		2015		2014
Merger related expenses:
Transaction (1)	$	18,252	$	—	$	—
Severance and retention (2)	15,229		—		—
Other (3)	2,739		—		—
Total merger related expenses	36,220		—		—
Other acquisition expenses:
Transaction and integration	450		2,875		998
Total other acquisition expenses	450		2,875		998
Total merger and other acquisition expenses	$	36,670	$	2,875	$	998

⁽¹⁾  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $3,943 related to the merger transaction expenses; a significant portion of these expenses were not deductible for income tax purposes.

⁽²⁾  For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company made severance and retention payments of $10,381 and as of December 31, 2016 had $4,848 accrued for future payments. Accrued severance and retention is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

⁽³⁾  Represents accelerated share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock awards for certain First Cash employees which vested as a result of the Merger.