DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2014

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation. The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Abaxis and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Abaxis Europe GmbH. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods’ financial statements to conform to the current period presentation. Additionally, during fiscal 2013, certain reclassifications were made to prior fiscal year financial statements, primarily related to segment categories (Note 16, “Segment Reporting Information”). In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, we reclassified certain revenues related to extended maintenance contracts and costs related to instrument repair and support, from our unallocated category to its respective business segment, either medical market or veterinary market. The Company reclassified the historically presented reportable segments to reflect changes in the way its decision maker evaluates the performance of its operations and allocates resources. These reclassifications did not result in any change in previously reported net income, total assets or shareholders’ equity.

Management Estimates

Management Estimates. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires our management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period, and related disclosures. Significant management estimates made in preparing the consolidated financial statements relate to allowance for doubtful accounts, sales and other allowances, estimated selling price of our products, valuation of inventory, fair value of investments, fair value and useful lives of intangible assets, income taxes, valuation allowance for deferred tax assets, share-based compensation, legal exposures and warranty reserves. Our management bases their estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Our actual results may differ materially from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with original or remaining maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase that are readily convertible into cash. The fair value of these investments was determined by using quoted prices for identical investments in active markets which are measured at Level 1 inputs under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” The carrying value of cash equivalents approximates fair value due to their relatively short-term nature.

Investments

Investments. We hold both short-term and long-term investments and our portfolio primarily consists of certificates of deposit, commercial paper, corporate bonds, municipal bonds and U.S. agency securities. Short-term investments have maturities of one year or less. All other investments with maturity dates greater than one year are classified as long-term. Our investments are accounted for as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity. Investments classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value at the balance sheet date, and temporary differences between cost and fair value are presented as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of any related tax effect, in shareholders’ equity. Investments classified as held-to-maturity are based on the Company’s positive intent and ability to hold to maturity and these investments are carried at amortized cost.

Realized gains and losses from investments are included in “Interest and other income (expense), net,” computed using the specific identification cost method. We assess whether an other-than-temporary impairment loss on our investments has occurred due to declines in fair value or other market conditions. Declines in fair value that are determined to be other-than-temporary, if any, are recorded as charges against “Interest and other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of income. We did not recognize any impairment loss on investments during fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Concentration of Credit Risks and Certain Other Risks

Concentration of Credit Risks and Certain Other Risks. Financial instruments that potentially subject us to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash, cash equivalents, investments and receivables. We place our cash, cash equivalents and investments with high credit quality financial institutions which are regularly monitored by management. Deposits held with banks may exceed the amount of the insurance provided by the federal government on such deposits. To date, the Company has not experienced any losses on such deposits. We also have short and long-term investments in certificates of deposit, commercial paper, corporate bonds, municipal bonds and U.S. agency securities, which can be subject to certain credit risk. However, we mitigate the risks by investing in high-grade instruments, limiting our exposure to any one issuer, and monitoring the ongoing creditworthiness of the financial institutions and issuers.

We sell our products to distributors and direct customers located primarily in North America, Europe and other countries. Credit is extended to our customers and we generally do not require our customers to provide collateral for purchases on credit. Credit risks are mitigated by our credit evaluation process and monitoring the amounts owed to us, taking appropriate action when necessary. Collection of receivables may be affected by changes in economic or other industry conditions and may, accordingly, impact our overall credit risk. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts, but historically have not experienced any material losses related to an individual customer or group of customers in any particular industry or geographic area. At March 31, 2014, one distributor in the United States accounted for 24% of our total receivables balance. At March 31, 2013, two distributors in the United States accounted for 12% and 23%, respectively, of our total receivables balance.

We are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and believe that changes in any of the following areas could have a material adverse effect on our future financial position or results of operations: continued Food and Drug Administration compliance or regulatory changes; uncertainty regarding health care reforms; fundamental changes in the technology underlying blood testing; the ability to develop new products and services that are accepted in the marketplace; competition, including, but not limited to, pricing and products or product features and services; the adequate and timely sourcing of inventories; foreign currency fluctuations; litigation, product liability or other claims against Abaxis; the ability to attract and retain key employees; stock price volatility due to general economic conditions or future issuances and sales of our stock; changes in legal and accounting regulations and standards; and changes in tax regulations.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements. We apply fair value accounting for all financial assets and liabilities and non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. Fair value is defined as 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. When determining fair value, we consider the principal or most advantageous market in which we would transact and consider assumptions that market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below.

Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Directly or indirectly observable inputs as of the reporting date through correlation with market data, including quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and quoted prices in markets that are not active. Level 2 also includes assets and liabilities that are valued using models or other pricing methodologies that do not require significant judgment since the input assumptions used in the models, such as interest rates and volatility factors, are corroborated by readily observable data from actively quoted markets for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market data and require the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management’s estimates of market participant assumptions.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

Our financial instruments include cash, cash equivalents, investments, receivables, accounts payable and certain other accrued liabilities. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and certain other accrued liabilities are valued at their carrying value, which approximates fair value due to their short maturities. See Note 3, “Fair Value Measurements” for further information on fair value measurement of our financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities.

Inventories

Inventories. Inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead, and are stated at the lower of standard cost (which approximates actual cost using the first-in, first-out method) or market. Provisions for excess, obsolete and unusable inventories are determined primarily by management’s evaluation of future demand of our products and market conditions.

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate

Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliate. In February 2011, we purchased a 15% equity ownership interest in Scandinavian Micro Biodevices APS (“SMB”) for $2.8 million in cash. We use the equity method to account for our investment in this entity because we do not control it, but have the ability to exercise significant influence over it. Equity method investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize (1) our proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment, (2) additional contributions made and dividends or distributions received, and (3) impairment losses resulting from adjustments to net realizable value. We eliminate all intercompany transactions in accounting for our equity method investments. During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, we recorded our proportionate share of the investee’s net income or loss in “Interest and other income (expense), net” on the consolidated statements of income.

We assess the potential impairment of our equity method investments when indicators such as a history of operating losses, a negative earnings and cash flow outlook, and the financial condition and prospects for the investee’s business segment might indicate a loss in value. We did not recognize any impairment loss on investment in unconsolidated affiliate during fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization is calculated using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:

Asset Classification	Estimated Useful Life
Machinery and equipment	2-15 years
Furniture and fixtures	3-8 years
Computer equipment	2-7 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of estimated useful life or remaining lease term

Construction in progress primarily consists of purchased material and internal payroll and related costs used in the development of production lines. We did not capitalize interest on constructed assets during fiscal 2014 or 2013 due to immateriality.

Property and equipment includes instruments transferred from inventory and held for loan or evaluation or demonstration purposes to customers. Units held for loan, evaluation or demonstration purposes are carried at cost and depreciated over their estimated useful lives of three to five years. Depreciation expense related to these instruments is recorded in cost of revenues or in the respective operating expense line based on the function and purpose for which it is being used. Proceeds from the sale of evaluation units are recorded as revenue.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets. Intangible assets, consisting of licenses and other rights acquired from third parties, are presented at cost, net of accumulated amortization. The intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 6-10 years, which approximates the economic benefit. If our underlying assumptions regarding the estimated useful life of an intangible asset change, then the amortization period, amortization expense and the carrying value for such asset would be adjusted accordingly. During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, our changes in estimated useful life of intangible assets were not significant.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. We evaluate the carrying value of our long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and amortized intangible assets, whenever events or changes in business circumstances or our planned use of long-lived assets indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable or their useful lives are no longer appropriate. We look to current and future profitability, as well as current and future undiscounted cash flows, excluding financing costs, as primary indicators of recoverability. An impairment loss would be recognized when the sum of the undiscounted future net cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposal is less than the carrying amount. If impairment is determined to exist, any related impairment loss is calculated based on fair value and long-lived assets are written down to their respective fair values. We did not recognize any impairment charges on long-lived assets in fiscal 2014, 2013 or 2012.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition. Revenues from product sales and services, net of estimated sales allowances, discounts and rebates, are recognized when the following four criteria are met:

·	Evidence of an arrangement exists: Persuasive evidence of an arrangement with a customer that reflects the terms and conditions to deliver products or render services must exist in order to recognize revenue.

Upon shipment of the products or rendering of services to the customer: Delivery is considered to occur at the time of shipment of products to a distributor or direct customer, as title and risk of loss have been transferred to the distributor or direct customer on delivery to the common carrier. Rights of return are not provided. For services, delivery is considered to occur as the service is provided. Service revenues are primarily generated from veterinary reference laboratory diagnostic and consulting services for veterinarians. Net service revenues are recognized at the time services are performed.

·	Fixed or determinable sales price: When the sales price is fixed or determinable that amount is recognized as revenue.

·	Collection is reasonably assured: Collection is deemed probable if a customer is expected to be able to pay amounts under the arrangement as those amounts become due. Revenue is recognized when collectibility of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured.

Amounts collected in advance of revenue recognition are recorded as a current or non-current deferred revenue liability based on the time from the balance sheet date to the future date of revenue recognition. We recognize revenue associated with extended maintenance agreements ratably over the life of the contract. From time to time, we offer discounts on AVRL services for a specified period as incentives. Discounts are reductions to invoiced amounts within a specified period and are recorded at the time services are performed.

Multiple Element Revenue Arrangements. Our sales arrangements may contain multiple element revenue arrangements in which a customer may purchase a combination of instruments, consumables or extended maintenance agreements. Additionally, we provide incentives in the form of free goods or extended maintenance agreements to customers in connection with the sale of our instruments. We participate in selling arrangements in the veterinary market that include multiple deliverables, such as instruments, consumables and service agreements associated with our veterinary reference laboratory. Judgments as to the allocation of consideration from an arrangement to the multiple elements of the arrangement, and the appropriate timing of revenue recognition are critical with respect to these arrangements.

A multiple element arrangement includes the sale of one or more tangible product offerings with one or more associated services offerings, each of which are individually considered separate units of accounting. We allocate revenues to each element in a multiple element arrangement based upon the relative selling price of each deliverable. When applying the relative selling price method, we determine the selling price for each deliverable using vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of selling price, if it exists, or third-party evidence (“TPE”) of selling price. If neither VSOE nor TPE of selling price exist for a deliverable, we use our best estimate of selling price for that deliverable. Revenue allocated to each element is then recognized when all revenue recognition criteria are met for each element.

Revenues from our multiple element arrangements are allocated separately to the instruments, consumables, extended maintenance agreements and incentives based on the relative selling price method. Amounts allocated to each element are based on its objectively determined fair value, such as the sales price for the product or service when it is sold separately. Revenues allocated to each element are then recognized when the basic revenue recognition criteria, as described above, are met for each element. Revenues associated with incentives in the form of free goods are deferred until the goods are shipped to the customer. Revenues associated with incentives in the form of extended maintenance agreements are deferred and recognized ratably over the life of the extended maintenance contract, generally one to three years. Incentives in the form of extended maintenance agreements are our most significant multiple element arrangement.

For our selling arrangements in the veterinary market that include multiple deliverables, such as instruments, consumables and service agreements associated with our veterinary reference laboratory, revenue is recognized upon delivery of the product or performance of the service during the term of the service contract when the basic revenue recognition criteria, as described above, are met for each element. We allocate revenues to each element based on the relative selling price of each deliverable. Amounts allocated to each element are based on its objectively determined fair value, such as the sales price for the product or service when it is sold separately.

From time to time, we offer customer incentives comprising of arrangements with customers to include discounts on future sales of services associated with our veterinary reference laboratory. We apply judgment in determining whether future discounts are significant and incremental. When the future discount offered is not considered significant and incremental, we do not account for the discount as an element of the original arrangement. To determine whether a discount is significant and incremental, we look to the discount provided in comparison to standalone sales of the same product to similar customers, the level of discount provided on other elements in the arrangement, and the significance of the discount to the overall arrangement. If the discount in the multiple element arrangement approximates the discount typically provided in standalone sales, that discount is not considered incremental. During fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, our customer incentive programs with future discounts were not significant.

Customer Programs. From time to time, we offer customer marketing and incentive programs. Our most significant customer programs are described as follows:

Instrument Trade-In Programs. We periodically offer trade-in programs to customers for trading in an existing instrument to purchase a new instrument and we will either provide incentives in the form of free goods or reduce the sales price of the instrument. These incentives in the form of free goods are recorded based on the relative selling price method according to the policies described above.

Instrument Rental Programs. We periodically offer programs to customers whereby certain instruments are made available to customers for rent or on an evaluation basis. These programs typically require customers to purchase a minimum quantity of consumables during a specified period for which we recognize revenue on the related consumables according to the policies described above. Depending on the program offered, customers may purchase the instrument during the rental or evaluation period. Proceeds from such sale are recorded as revenue according to the policies described above. Rental income, if any, are also recorded as revenue according to the policies described above.

Sales Incentive Programs. We periodically offer customer sales incentive programs and we record reductions to revenue related to these programs. Incentives may be provided in the form of volume-based incentives, end-user rebates and discounts. Volume-based incentives, in the form of rebates, are offered from time to time to distributors and group purchasing organizations upon meeting the sales volume requirements during a qualifying period and are recorded as a reduction to gross revenues during a qualifying period. Cash rebates are offered to end-users who purchase certain products or instruments during a promotional period and are recorded as a reduction to gross revenues. Additionally, we periodically offer sales incentives to end-users, in the form of sales discounts, to purchase consumables for a specified promotional period, typically over five years from the sale of our instrument, and we reimburse resellers for the value of the sales discount provided to the end-user. We estimate the amount of the incentive earned by end-users during a quarter and record a liability to the reseller as a reduction to gross revenues.

Royalty Revenues. Royalties are typically based on licensees’ net sales of products that utilize our technology and are recognized as earned in accordance with the contract terms when royalties from licensees can be reliably measured and collectibility is reasonably assured, such as upon the receipt of a royalty statement from the licensee.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts. We recognize revenue when collection from the customer is reasonably assured. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our assessment of the collectability of the amounts owed to us by our customers. We regularly review the allowance and consider the following factors in determining the level of allowance required: the customer’s payment history, the age of the receivable balance, the credit quality of our customers, the general financial condition of our customer base and other factors that may affect the customers’ ability to pay. An additional allowance is recorded based on certain percentages of our aged receivables, using historical experience to estimate the potential uncollectible. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when we believe it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.

Shipping and Handling

Shipping and Handling. In a sale transaction we recognize amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling as revenue. Shipping and handling costs incurred for inventory purchases and product shipments are recorded in cost of revenues.

Research and Development Costs

Research and Development Expenses. Research and development expenses, including internally developed software costs, are expensed as incurred and include expenses associated with new product research and regulatory activities. Our products include certain software applications that are resident in the product. The costs to develop such software have not been capitalized as we believe our current software development processes are completed concurrent with the establishment of technological feasibility of the software.

Advertising Expenses

Advertising Expenses. Costs of advertising, which are recognized as sales and marketing expenses, are generally expensed in the period incurred. Advertising expenses were $843,000, $1.5 million and $2.1 million, for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes. We account for income taxes using the liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be recovered.

We recognize and measure benefits for uncertain tax positions using a two-step approach. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained upon audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. For tax positions that are more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, the second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon settlement. Significant judgment is required to evaluate uncertain tax positions. At March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had no significant uncertain tax positions. Our policy is to include interest and penalties related to gross unrecognized tax benefits within our provision for income taxes. For fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012, we did not recognize any interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the consolidated statements of income, and at March 31, 2014 and 2013, we had no accrued interest or penalties.

Share-Based Compensation Expense

Share-Based Compensation Expense. We account for share-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” We recognize share-based compensation expense, net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award to employees and directors. As required by fair value provisions of share-based compensation, employee share-based compensation expense recognized is calculated over the requisite service period of the awards and reduced for estimated forfeitures. The forfeiture rate is estimated based on historical data of our share-based compensation awards that are granted and cancelled prior to vesting and upon historical experience of employee turnover.

Prior to fiscal 2007, we granted stock option awards to employees and directors as part of our share-based compensation program. We have not granted any stock options since the beginning of fiscal 2007. We have recognized compensation expense for stock options granted during the requisite service period of the stock option. As of March 31, 2014, we had no unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options granted.

For restricted stock units, share-based compensation expense is based on the fair value of our stock at the grant date and recognized net of an estimated forfeiture rate, over the requisite service period of the award.

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share. Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares that would have been outstanding during the period assuming the issuance of common shares for all potential dilutive common shares outstanding using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares outstanding include outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and warrants.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income generally represents all changes in shareholders’ equity during a period, resulting from net income and transactions from non-owner sources. Comprehensive income consists of net income and the net-of-tax amounts for unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments (difference between the cost and fair market value). For the periods presented, the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consisted of the unrealized gains or losses on the Company’s available-for-sale investments, net of tax.

Foreign Currency

Foreign Currency. The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for our international subsidiary, Abaxis Europe GmbH, located in Darmstadt, Germany. Foreign currency transactions of our subsidiary are remeasured into U.S. dollars at the end-of-period exchange rates for monetary assets and liabilities, and historical exchange rates for nonmonetary assets. Accordingly, the effects of foreign currency transactions, and of remeasuring the financial condition into the functional currency resulted in foreign currency gains and losses, which were included in “Interest and other income (expense), net” on the consolidated statements of income and were insignificant for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income: In February 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2013-02, “Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” (Topic 220) - Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”), to amend existing rules to improve the reporting of reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”). The amendment expands the existing disclosure by requiring entities to present information about significant items reclassified out of AOCI by component. In addition, an entity is required to provide information about the effects on net income of significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI to net income either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or as a separate disclosure in the notes of the financial statements. We adopted ASU 2013-02 as of April 1, 2013. As this update only required additional disclosures, adoption of this amendment did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows during fiscal 2014.