Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
ýQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2022
or
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 000-25131
bcor-20220331_g1.jpg
BLUCORA, INC.Blucora, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
91-1718107
Delaware91-1718107
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
6333 State Hwy 161, 6th Floor, Irving, Texas75038
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
3200 Olympus Blvd, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75019
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(972) 870-6400
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 870-6000code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per shareBCORNASDAQ Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ý Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  ý Yes o No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large“large accelerated filer," "accelerated” “accelerated filer," "smaller” “smaller reporting company," and "emerging“emerging growth company"company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filerýAccelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
o(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting companyo
Emerging growth companyo
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section13(a)Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes ý No
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
As of April 27, 2022, 47,247,539 shares of the registrant’s Common Stock were outstanding.



TABLE OF CONTENTS
Outstanding at
ClassOctober 19, 2017
Common Stock, Par Value $0.000146,125,990

TABLE OF CONTENTS

This report includes some of the trademarks, trade names, and service marks of Blucora, Inc. (referred to throughout this report as “Blucora,” the “Company,”“we,”“us,” or “our”), including Blucora, Avantax Wealth Management, Avantax Planning Partners, Avantax Retirement Plan Services, HD Vest, 1st Global, HKFS, and TaxAct. Each one of these trademarks, trade names, or service marks is either (i) our registered trademark, (ii) a trademark for which we have a pending application, (iii) a trade name or service mark for which we claim common law rights, or (iv) a registered trademark or application for registration that we have been authorized by a third party to use.

Solely for convenience, the trademarks, service marks, and trade names included in this report are without the ®, ™ or other applicable symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensors to these trademarks, service marks, and trade names. This report may also include additional trademarks, service marks, and trade names of others, which are the property of their respective owners. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names included in this report are, to our knowledge, the property of their respective owners.

References to our or our subsidiaries’ website addresses or the website addresses of third parties in this report do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on such websites and should not be considered part of this report.

Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 2


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Form 10-Q”) contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve risks and uncertainties. Many of the forward-looking statements are located in Part I, Item 2 of this Form 10-Q under the heading “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Forward-looking statements provide current expectations of future events based on certain assumptions and include any statement that does not directly relate to any historical or current fact. Forward-looking statements can also be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “future,” “intends,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continues,” “target,” “outlook,” and similar terms and expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that the statement is not forward-looking. Actual results may differ significantly from management’s expectations due to various risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to:
our ability to effectively compete within our industries;
our ability to attract and retain financial professionals, employees, clients, and customers, as well as our ability to provide strong customer/client service;
the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations and our business, including the impact of the resulting economic and market disruption, the extension of tax filing deadlines, and other related government actions;
our future capital requirements and the availability of financing, if necessary;
our ability to meet our current and future debt service obligations, including our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants;
any downgrade of the Company’s credit ratings;
our ability to generate strong performance for our clients and the impact of the financial markets on our clients’ portfolios;
the impact of new or changing legislation and regulations (or interpretations thereof) on our business, including our ability to successfully address and comply with such legislation and regulations (or interpretations thereof) and increased costs, reductions of revenue, and potential fines, penalties, or disgorgement to which we may be subject as a result thereof;
risks, burdens, and costs, including fines, penalties, or disgorgement, associated with our business being subjected to regulatory inquiries, investigations, or initiatives, including those of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”);
risks associated with legal proceedings, including litigation and regulatory proceedings;
our ability to close, finance, and realize all of the anticipated benefits of acquisitions, as well as our ability to integrate the operations of recently acquired businesses, and the potential impact of such acquisitions on our existing indebtedness and leverage;
our ability to retain employees and acquired client assets following acquisitions;
any compromise of confidentiality, availability or integrity of information, including cyberattacks;
our ability to manage leadership and employee transitions, including costs and time burdens on management and our board of directors related thereto;
political and economic conditions and events that directly or indirectly impact the wealth management and tax preparation software industries;
our ability to respond to rapid technological changes, including our ability to successfully release new products and services or improve upon existing products and services;
our expectations concerning the revenues we generate from fees associated with the financial products that we distribute;
risks related to goodwill and acquired intangible asset impairment;
our ability to develop, establish, and maintain strong brands;
risks associated with the use and implementation of information technology and the effect of security breaches, computer viruses, and computer hacking attacks;
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 3


our ability to comply with laws and regulations regarding privacy and protection of user data;
our ability to maintain our relationships with third-party partners, providers, suppliers, vendors, distributors, contractors, financial institutions, industry associations, and licensing partners, and our expectations regarding and reliance on the products, tools, platforms, systems, and services provided by these third parties;
the seasonality of our business;
our assessments and estimates that determine our effective tax rate;
our ability to protect our intellectual property and the impact of any claim that we infringed on the intellectual property rights of others; and
the effects on our business of actions of activist stockholders.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance, achievements, and prospects to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others, the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, as well as in our other filings with the SEC. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We do not undertake any obligation and do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.




Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 4


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
BLUCORA, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)amounts)
March 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$144,222 $134,824 
Accounts receivable, net26,618 21,906 
Commissions and advisory fees receivable22,890 25,073 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets21,695 18,476 
Total current assets215,425 200,279 
Long-term assets:
Property, equipment, and software, net73,687 73,638 
Right-of-use assets, net20,113 20,466 
Goodwill, net454,821 454,821 
Acquired intangible assets, net296,894 302,289 
Other long-term assets23,019 20,450 
Total long-term assets868,534 871,664 
Total assets$1,083,959 $1,071,943 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$23,879 $8,216 
Commissions and advisory fees payable15,387 17,940 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities61,255 65,678 
Current deferred revenue8,459 13,180 
Current lease liabilities4,945 4,896 
Current portion of long-term debt1,812 1,812 
Total current liabilities115,737 111,722 
Long-term liabilities:
Long-term debt, net553,297 553,134 
Long-term lease liabilities32,504 33,267 
Deferred tax liabilities, net19,480 20,124 
Long-term deferred revenue5,090 5,322 
Other long-term liabilities8,978 6,752 
Total long-term liabilities619,349 618,599 
Total liabilities735,086 730,321 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)00
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share—900,000 shares authorized; 50,384 shares issued and 47,433 shares outstanding at March 31, 2022; 50,137 shares issued and 48,831 shares outstanding at December 31, 2021
Additional paid-in capital1,622,973 1,619,805 
Accumulated deficit(1,215,169)(1,249,789)
Treasury stock, at cost— 2,951 shares at March 31, 2022 and 1,306 shares at December 31, 2021(58,936)(28,399)
Total stockholders’ equity348,873 341,622 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,083,959 $1,071,943 

 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$78,558
 $51,713
Cash segregated under federal or other regulations313
 2,355
Available-for-sale investments
 7,101
Accounts receivable, net of allowance6,952
 10,209
Commissions receivable16,432
 16,144
Other receivables592
 4,004
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net4,777
 6,321
Total current assets107,624
 97,847
Long-term assets:   
Property and equipment, net9,552
 10,836
Goodwill, net549,064
 548,741
Other intangible assets, net336,872
 362,178
Other long-term assets2,557
 3,057
Total long-term assets898,045
 924,812
Total assets$1,005,669
 $1,022,659
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accounts payable$3,161
 $4,536
Commissions and advisory fees payable16,564
 16,587
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities18,768
 18,528
Deferred revenue7,118
 12,156
Current portion of long-term debt, net2,560
 2,560
Total current liabilities48,171
 54,367
Long-term liabilities:   
Long-term debt, net344,232
 248,221
Convertible senior notes, net
 164,176
Deferred tax liability, net59,118
 111,126
Deferred revenue1,031
 1,849
Other long-term liabilities8,530
 10,205
Total long-term liabilities412,911
 535,577
Total liabilities461,082
 589,944
    
Redeemable noncontrolling interests16,162
 15,696
    
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
 
    
Stockholders’ equity:   
Common stock, par $0.0001—authorized shares, 900,000; issued and outstanding shares,   
46,077 and 41,8455
 4
Additional paid-in capital1,552,609
 1,510,152
Accumulated deficit(1,024,222) (1,092,756)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)33
 (381)
Total stockholders’ equity528,425
 417,019
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$1,005,669
 $1,022,659
See accompanying notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.notes.

Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 5


BLUCORA, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)OPERATIONS
(In(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)amounts)

 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenue:       
Wealth management services revenue$86,809
 $80,088
 $254,772
 $233,496
Tax preparation services revenue3,362
 3,149
 156,936
 135,614
Total revenue90,171
 83,237
 411,708
 369,110
Operating expenses:       
Cost of revenue:       
Wealth management services cost of revenue59,607
 54,921
 172,444
 158,213
Tax preparation services cost of revenue1,314
 1,319
 7,543
 6,549
Amortization of acquired technology50
 49
 145
 765
Total cost of revenue60,971
 56,289
 180,132
 165,527
Engineering and technology5,051
 4,588
 14,041
 12,842
Sales and marketing13,680
 11,965
 84,974
 75,715
General and administrative12,207
 11,638
 39,405
 35,899
Depreciation867
 968
 2,680
 2,906
Amortization of other acquired intangible assets8,615
 8,297
 25,192
 24,929
Restructuring106
 
 2,726
 
Total operating expenses101,497
 93,745
 349,150
 317,818
Operating income (loss)(11,326) (10,508) 62,558
 51,292
Other loss, net(5,241) (11,453) (39,149) (29,883)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes(16,567) (21,961) 23,409
 21,409
Income tax benefit (expense)(166) 8,537
 (5,952) (8,899)
Income (loss) from continuing operations(16,733) (13,424) 17,457
 12,510
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 (40,528) 
 (57,981)
Net income (loss)(16,733) (53,952) 17,457
 (45,471)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(164) (167) (466) (426)
Net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc.$(16,897) $(54,119) $16,991
 $(45,897)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Blucora, Inc. - basic:       
Continuing operations$(0.37) $(0.33) $0.39
 $0.29
Discontinued operations
 (0.97) 
 (1.40)
Basic net income (loss) per share$(0.37) $(1.30) $0.39
 $(1.11)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Blucora, Inc. - diluted:       
Continuing operations$(0.37) $(0.33) $0.36
 $0.29
Discontinued operations
 (0.97) 
 (1.37)
Diluted net income (loss) per share$(0.37) $(1.30) $0.36
 $(1.08)
Weighted average shares outstanding:       
Basic45,459
 41,635
 43,749
 41,404
Diluted45,459
 41,635
 46,813
 42,329
Other comprehensive income (loss):       
Net income (loss)$(16,733) $(53,952) $17,457
 $(45,471)
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments, net of tax
 
 1
 10
Foreign currency translation adjustment223
 (77) 413
 246
Other comprehensive income (loss)223
 (77) 414
 256
Comprehensive income (loss)(16,510) (54,029) 17,871
 (45,215)
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(164) (167) (466) (426)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc.$(16,674) $(54,196) $17,405
 $(45,641)
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021
Revenue:
Wealth Management$166,403 $154,491 
Tax Software141,150 123,892 
Total revenue307,553 278,383 
Operating expenses:
Cost of revenue:
Wealth Management119,874 108,623 
Tax Software9,426 5,578 
Total cost of revenue129,300 114,201 
Engineering and technology8,504 7,128 
Sales and marketing84,403 77,562 
General and administrative29,075 24,685 
Acquisition and integration1,666 8,103 
Depreciation2,931 2,300 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets6,631 7,175 
Total operating expenses262,510 241,154 
Operating income45,043 37,229 
Interest expense and other, net(7,841)(7,883)
Income before income taxes37,202 29,346 
Income tax expense(2,582)(1,700)
Net income$34,620 $27,646 
Net income per share:
Basic$0.71 $0.57 
Diluted$0.70 $0.56 
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic48,513 48,261 
Diluted49,747 49,097 


















See accompanying notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.notes.

Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 6


BLUCORA, INC.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited) (In thousands)

Additional paid-in capitalAccumulated deficit
Common stockTreasury stock
SharesAmountSharesAmountTotal
Balance as of December 31, 202150,137 $$1,619,805 $(1,249,789)1,306 $(28,399)$341,622 
Common stock issued pursuant to stock incentive plans and employee stock purchase plans247 — 96 — — — 96 
Stock repurchases— — — — 1,645 (30,537)(30,537)
Stock-based compensation— — 4,641 — — — 4,641 
Tax payments from shares withheld for equity awards— — (1,569)— — — (1,569)
Net income— — — 34,620 — — 34,620 
Balance as of March 31, 202250,384 $$1,622,973 $(1,215,169)2,951 $(58,936)$348,873 
Additional paid-in capitalAccumulated deficit
Common stockTreasury stock
SharesAmountSharesAmountTotal
Balance as of December 31, 202049,483 $$1,598,230 $(1,257,546)1,306 $(28,399)$312,290 
Common stock issued pursuant to stock incentive plans and employee stock purchase plans132 — 63 — — — 63 
Stock-based compensation— — 5,520 — — — 5,520 
Tax payments from shares withheld for equity awards— — (865)— — — (865)
Net income— — — 27,646 — — 27,646 
Balance as of March 31, 202149,615 $$1,602,948 $(1,229,900)1,306 $(28,399)$344,654 































See accompanying notes.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 7


BLUCORA, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In(Unaudited) (In thousands)

 Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016
Operating Activities:   
Net income (loss)$17,457
 $(45,471)
Less: Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 (57,981)
Net income from continuing operations17,457
 12,510
Adjustments to reconcile net income from continuing operations to net cash from operating activities:   
Stock-based compensation8,434
 10,616
Depreciation and amortization of acquired intangible assets28,553
 29,080
Restructuring (non-cash)1,499
 
Deferred income taxes(473) (12,484)
Amortization of premium on investments, net10
 164
Amortization of debt issuance costs891
 1,440
Accretion of debt discounts1,893
 3,599
(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment19,764
 (641)
Revaluation of acquisition-related contingent consideration liability
 391
Other
 18
Cash provided (used) by changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Accounts receivable3,259
 793
Commissions receivable(288) 1,034
Other receivables2,384
 19,656
Prepaid expenses and other current assets1,720
 6,003
Other long-term assets432
 (1,174)
Accounts payable(1,375) 1,151
Commissions and advisory fees payable(23) (1,600)
Deferred revenue(5,856) (1,805)
Accrued expenses and other current and long-term liabilities949
 19,786
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations79,230
 88,537
Investing Activities:   
Business acquisition, net of cash acquired
 (1,788)
Purchases of property and equipment(3,809) (2,648)
Proceeds from sales of investments249
 
Proceeds from maturities of investments7,252
 11,808
Purchases of investments(409) (5,147)
Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations3,283
 2,225
Financing Activities:   
Proceeds from credit facilities367,212
 
Payments on convertible notes(172,827) (20,667)
Payments on credit facilities(285,000) (105,000)
Proceeds from stock option exercises38,228
 1,141
Proceeds from issuance of stock through employee stock purchase plan1,428
 1,402
Tax payments from shares withheld for equity awards(6,744) (1,447)
Contingent consideration payments for business acquisition(946) 
Net cash used by financing activities from continuing operations(58,649) (124,571)
Net cash provided (used) by continuing operations23,864
 (33,809)
    
Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations
 12,359
Net cash provided by investing activities from discontinued operations1,028
 43,230
Net cash used by financing activities from discontinued operations
 (9,000)
Net cash provided by discontinued operations1,028
 46,589
    
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash86
 (15)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash24,978
 12,765
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period54,868
 59,830
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period$79,846
 $72,595
    
Cash paid for income taxes from continuing operations$1,013
 $2,079
Cash paid for interest from continuing operations$14,205
 $23,455
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021
Operating activities:
Net income$34,620 $27,646 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of acquired intangible assets11,305 10,418 
Stock-based compensation6,225 5,610 
Change in the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration1,700 6,300 
Reduction of right-of-use lease assets353 569 
Deferred income taxes(644)(269)
Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs681 640 
Accretion of lease liabilities514 514 
Other non-cash items1,101 (78)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and disposals:
Accounts receivable, net(4,647)(11,541)
Commissions and advisory fees receivable2,183 111 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(2,741)(1,163)
Other long-term assets(3,363)(828)
Accounts payable15,663 12,729 
Commissions and advisory fees payable(2,553)(259)
Lease liabilities(1,229)(172)
Deferred revenue(4,953)(7,250)
Accrued expenses and other current and long-term liabilities(6,872)10,745 
Net cash provided by operating activities47,343 53,722 
Investing activities:
Purchases of property, equipment, and software(4,731)(8,598)
Asset acquisitions(751)(587)
Net cash used by investing activities(5,482)(9,185)
Financing activities:
Payments on credit facilities(453)(453)
Stock repurchases(30,537)— 
Proceeds from stock option exercises96 63 
Tax payments from shares withheld for equity awards(1,569)(865)
Net cash used by financing activities(32,463)(1,255)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash9,398 43,282 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period134,824 150,762 
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period$144,222 $194,044 
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes$850 $— 
Cash paid for interest$7,107 $7,123 








See accompanying notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.notes.

Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 8


BLUCORA, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1: The Company and Basis of Presentation
Description of the business:Business
Blucora, Inc. (the "Company"“Company,”“Blucora,” “we,” “our,” or "Blucora"“us”) operates two2 primary businesses: athe Wealth Management business and an onlinethe digital Tax PreparationSoftware business. The
Wealth Management
Our Wealth Management business consists of the operations of HDV Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("HD Vest"). HDV Holdings, Inc. is the parent company of theAvantax Wealth Management and Avantax Planning Partners (collectively, the “Wealth Management business” or the “Wealth Management segment”).
Avantax Wealth Management provides tax-focused wealth management solutions for financial professionals, tax professionals, certified public accounting (“CPA”) firms, and their clients. Avantax Wealth Management offers its services through its registered broker-dealer, registered investment advisor (“RIA”), and insurance agency subsidiaries and is a leading U.S. tax-focused independent broker-dealer. Avantax Wealth Management works with a nationwide network of financial professionals that operate as independent contractors. Avantax Wealth Management provides these financial professionals with an integrated platform of technical, practice, compliance, operations, sales, and product support tools that enable them to offer tax-advantaged planning, investing, and wealth management services to their clients.
Avantax Planning Partners is an in-house/employee-based RIA, insurance agency, and wealth management business that partners with CPA firms in order to provide their consumer and owns all outstanding shares of HD Vest, Inc., which servessmall business clients with holistic financial planning and advisory services, as a holding company for the various financial services subsidiaries. Those subsidiaries include HD Vest Investment Securities, Inc. (an introducing broker-dealer), HD Vest Advisorywell as retirement plan solutions through Avantax Retirement Plan Services. Avantax Planning Partners formerly operated as Honkamp Krueger Financial Services, Inc. (a registered investment advisor),(“HKFS”). We acquired HKFS in July 2020 (the “HKFS Acquisition”) and HD Vest Insurance Agency, LLC (an insurance broker) (collectively referredsubsequently rebranded it in order to as the "Wealth Management business" or the "Wealth Management segment"). The create tighter brand alignment through one common and recognizable brand. Any reference to Avantax Planning Partners in this Form 10-Q is inclusive of HKFS.
Tax PreparationSoftware
Our Tax Software business consists of the operations of TaxAct, Inc. ("TaxAct"“TaxAct,” the “Tax Software business,” or the “Tax Software segment”) and provides digital tax preparation solutionsservices and ancillary services for consumers, small business owners, and tax professionals through its website www.TaxAct.com (collectively referred to asand its mobile applications.

Our Tax Software segment is highly seasonal with a significant portion of its annual revenue typically earned in the "Tax Preparation business" or the "Tax Preparation segment").
Prior to 2017, the Company also operated an internet Search and Content business and an E-Commerce business through 2016. The Search and Content business operated through the InfoSpace LLC subsidiary ("InfoSpace"), and the E-Commerce business consistedfirst two quarters of the operations of Monoprice, Inc. ("Monoprice").
On October 14, 2015,fiscal year. During the Company announced its plans to focus on the technology-enabled financial solutions market (the "Strategic Transformation"). Strategic Transformation refers to the Company's transformation into a technology-enabled financial solutions company comprised of TaxActthird and HD Vest (see "Note 3: Business Combinations") and the divestituresfourth quarters of the Search and Content and E-Commerce businesses in 2016 (see "Note 4: Discontinued Operations"). fiscal year, the Tax Software segment typically reports losses because revenue from the segment is minimal while core operating expenses continue.

As parta result of the Strategic Transformationcontinued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) delayed the start of the tax year 2020 tax season and "One Company" operating model,extended the Company announced on October 27, 2016 plansfiling and payment deadline for tax year 2020 federal tax returns from April 15, 2021 to relocate its corporate headquarters byMay 17, 2021. In addition, the IRS further extended the federal filing and payment deadline for Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma to June 2017 from Bellevue, Washington to Irving, Texas. The actions to relocate corporate headquarters were intended to drive efficiencies15, 2021. Beyond federal filings, the majority of states also extended their filing and improve operational effectiveness (see "Note 5: Restructuring"). The restructuring is now substantially complete and it ispayment deadlines for tax year 2020 state tax returns. This extension resulted in the shifting of a significant portion of Tax Software segment revenue that would typically have been expected to be completed by early 2018.earned in the first quarter to the second quarter of 2021.
Segments:The Company has twoSegments
We have 2 reportable segments: (1) the Wealth Management segment and (2) the Tax PreparationSoftware segment.
Reclassification: The Company reclassified certain amounts on its consolidated statements of cash flows related to excess tax benefits generated from stock-based compensation and restricted cash, both in connection with the implementation of new accounting pronouncements. See the "Recent accounting pronouncements" section of "Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for additional information.
Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Interim financial information:Financial Information
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Companyus under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC")SEC for interim financial reporting. These condensed consolidated financial
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 9


statements are unaudited and, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordanceconformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"GAAP”) have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes in Part II, Item 8 of the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2021. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
Cash, cash equivalents,A summary of our significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021. There have been no significant changes in our significant accounting policies since December 31, 2021.
Note 3: Segment Information and restricted cash: The following table presents cash, cash equivalents,Revenue
We have 2 reportable segments: (1) the Wealth Management segment and restricted cash(2) the Tax Software segment. Our Chief Executive Officer is the chief operating decision maker and reviews financial information presented on a disaggregated basis. This information is used for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.
We do not allocate certain general and administrative costs (including personnel and overhead costs), stock-based compensation, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, or contested proxy and other legal and consulting costs to the reportable segments. Such amounts are reflected under the heading “Corporate-level activity.” In addition, we do not allocate interest expense and other, net, or income taxes to the reportable segments. We do not report assets or capital expenditures by segment to the chief operating decision maker.
Information on reportable segments currently presented to our chief operating decision maker and a reconciliation to consolidated net income are presented below (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20222021
Revenue:
Wealth Management$166,403 $154,491 
Tax Software141,150 123,892 
Total revenue307,553 278,383 
Operating income (loss):
Wealth Management16,421 19,396 
Tax Software58,030 50,888 
Corporate-level activity(29,408)(33,055)
Total operating income45,043 37,229 
Interest expense and other, net(7,841)(7,883)
Income before income taxes37,202 29,346 
Income tax expense(2,582)(1,700)
Net income$34,620 $27,646 







Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 10


Wealth Management Revenue Recognition
Wealth management revenue primarily consists of advisory revenue, commission revenue, asset-based revenue, and transaction and fee revenue.
Revenues by major category within the Wealth Management segment and the timing of Wealth Management revenue recognition was as reportedfollows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20222021
Recognized upon transaction:
Commission$20,624 $22,367 
Transaction and fee1,244 1,374 
Total Wealth Management revenue recognized upon transaction$21,868 $23,741 
Recognized over time:
Advisory$107,169 $91,119 
Commission27,031 30,167 
Asset-based5,663 5,329 
Transaction and fee4,672 4,135 
Total Wealth Management revenue recognized over time$144,535 $130,750 
Total Wealth Management revenue:
Advisory$107,169 $91,119 
Commission47,655 52,534 
Asset-based5,663 5,329 
Transaction and fee5,916 5,509 
Total Wealth Management revenue$166,403 $154,491 
Tax Software Revenue Recognition
We generate Tax Software revenue from the sale of digital tax preparation services, packaged tax preparation software, ancillary services, and multiple element arrangements that may include a combination of these items.
Revenues by major category within the Tax Software segment and the timing of Tax Software revenue recognition was as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20222021
Recognized upon transaction:
Consumer$125,261 $110,567 
Professional13,784 12,127 
Total Tax Software revenue recognized upon transaction$139,045 $122,694 
Recognized over time:
Professional$2,105 $1,198 
Total Tax Software revenue recognized over time$2,105 $1,198 
Total Tax Software revenue:
Consumer$125,261 $110,567 
Professional15,889 13,325 
Total Tax Software revenue$141,150 $123,892 
Note 4: Asset Acquisitions
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, we completed acquisitions in our Wealth Management business that met the criteria to be accounted for as asset acquisitions. Total initial purchase consideration, including acquisition costs and fixed deferred payments, was $1.2 million. This purchase consideration was
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 11


allocated to the acquired assets, primarily customer relationship intangibles. Customer relationship intangibles are amortized on thea straight-line basis over an amortization period of 15 years.
We are subject to variable contingent consideration payments related to our asset acquisitions that are not recognized as a liability on our condensed consolidated balance sheets until all contingencies related to the achievement of future financial targets are resolved and the consideration is paid. As of March 31, 2022, the maximum future fixed and contingent payments associated with all prior asset acquisitions were $17.0 million, with specified payment dates from 2022 through 2026.
Note 5: Debt
Our debt consisted of the following as of the periods indicated in the table below (in thousands):
March 31,
2022
December 31,
2021
Senior Secured Credit Facility
Principal outstanding$560,891 $561,344 
Unamortized debt issuance costs(3,047)(3,371)
Unamortized debt discount(2,735)(3,027)
Net carrying value$555,109 $554,946 
In May 2017, we entered into a credit agreement (as the same has been amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders that equalprovides for a term loan facility (the “Term Loan”) and a revolving line of credit (including a letter of credit sub-facility) (the “Revolver”) for working capital, capital expenditures, and general business purposes (as amended, the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”). The Term Loan has a maturity date of May 22, 2024 (the “Term Loan Maturity Date”). On April 26, 2021, to ensure adequate liquidity and flexibility to support the Company’s growth, we entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement Amendment, the Credit Agreement was amended to, among other things, refinance the existing $65.0 million Revolver and add $25.0 million of additional revolving credit commitments, for an aggregate principal amount of $90.0 million in revolving credit commitments (the “New Revolver”). The New Revolver has a maturity date of February 21, 2024 (the “New Revolver Maturity Date”).
The Company capitalized approximately $0.5 million of debt issuance costs paid in connection with the Credit Agreement Amendment, which are included in other long-term assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as part of the total deferred financing costs associated with the New Revolver.
As of March 31, 2022, the Senior Secured Credit Facility provided for up to $765.0 million of borrowings and consisted of a committed $90.0 million under the New Revolver and a $675.0 million Term Loan. As of March 31, 2022, we had $560.9 million in principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan and no amounts outstanding under the New Revolver. Based on aggregate loan commitments as of March 31, 2022, approximately $90.0 million was available for future borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, subject to customary terms and conditions.
The Company is required to make mandatory annual prepayments on the Term Loan in certain circumstances, including in the event that the Company generates Excess Cash Flow (as defined in the Credit Agreement) in a given fiscal year. The Credit Agreement permits the Company to voluntarily prepay the Term Loan without premium or penalty. In addition, the Company is required to make principal amortization payments on the Term Loan quarterly on the last business day of each March, June, September, and December, in an amount equal to approximately $0.5 million (subject to reduction for prepayments), with the remaining principal amount of the Term Loan due on the Term Loan Maturity Date.
The interest rate on the Term Loan is variable at the London Interbank Offered Rate (subject to a floor of 1.0%), plus the applicable interest rate margin of 4.0% for Eurodollar Rate Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and 3.0% for ABR Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of March 31, 2022, the applicable interest rate on the Term Loan was 5.0%. Depending on the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the applicable interest rate margin on the New Revolver ranges from 2.0% to 2.5% for Eurodollar Rate Loans and 1.0% to 1.5% for ABR Loans. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn commitment under the New Revolver in a percentage that is dependent on the Consolidated First Lien Net
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 12


Leverage Ratio that ranges from 0.35% to 0.4%. Interest is payable at the end of each interest period, typically quarterly.
Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (including certain subsidiaries acquired in the acquisition of Avantax Planning Partners and certain other material subsidiaries). The Senior Secured Credit Facility includes financial and operating covenants (including a Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio), which are set forth in detail in the Credit Agreement.
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement Amendment, if the Company’s usage of the New Revolver exceeds 30% of the aggregate commitments under the New Revolver on the last day of any calendar quarter, the Company shall not permit the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to exceed (i) 4.75 to 1.00 for the period beginning on April 1, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2021, (ii) 4.25 to 1.00 for the period beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on September 30, 2022, (iii) 4.00 to 1.00 for the period beginning on October 1, 2022 and ending on December 31, 2022, and (iv) 3.50 to 1.00 for the period beginning on January 1, 2023 and ending on February 21, 2024.
Except as described above, the New Revolver has substantially the same terms as the previous Revolver, including certain covenants and events of default. The Company was in compliance with the debt covenants of the Senior Secured Credit Facility as of March 31, 2022.
Note 6: Leases
Our leases are primarily related to office space and are classified as operating leases. Operating lease cost, net of sublease income, is recognized in “General and administrative” expense for those net costs related to leases used in our operations and within “Acquisition and integration” expense for those net costs related to an unoccupied lease assumed in a previous acquisition on the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Operating lease cost, net of sublease income, and cash flowspaid on operating lease liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20222021
Fixed lease cost$973 $1,154 
Variable lease cost402 143 
Operating lease cost, before sublease income1,375 1,297 
Sublease income(234)(116)
Total operating lease cost, net of sublease income$1,141 $1,181 
Additional lease information:
Cash paid on operating lease liabilities$1,229 $217 

Right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities were recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as follows (in thousands):
March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Right-of-use assets, net$20,113 $20,466 
Current lease liabilities$4,945 $4,896 
Long-term lease liabilities32,504 33,267 
Total operating lease liabilities$37,449 $38,163 
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)10.110.3
Weighted-average discount rate5.4 %5.4 %
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 13


 September 30, December 31,
 2017 2016 2016 2015
Cash and cash equivalents$78,558
 $71,165
 $51,713
 $55,473
Cash segregated under federal or other regulations313
 630
 2,355
 3,557
Restricted cash included in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets, net"425
 100
 250
 100
Restricted cash included in "Other long-term assets"550
 700
 550
 700
Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$79,846
 $72,595
 $54,868
 $59,830
The maturities of our operating lease liabilities as of March 31, 2022 were as follows (in thousands):
Undiscounted cash flows:
Remainder of 2022$3,811 
20235,172 
20245,080 
20255,013 
20264,193 
Thereafter26,130 
Total undiscounted cash flows49,399 
Imputed interest(11,950)
Present value of cash flows$37,449 
Cash segregated under federal and other regulations is held in a segregated bank account for the exclusive benefit of the Company’s Wealth Management business customers. Restricted cash included in prepaid
Note 7: Balance Sheet Components
Prepaid expenses and other current assets net and other long-term assets represents amounts pledged as collateral for certainconsisted of the Company's banking arrangements.following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Prepaid expenses$16,213 $13,138 
Other current assets5,482 5,338 
Total prepaid expenses and other current assets$21,695 $18,476 
Fair value of financial instruments: The Company measures its cash equivalents, available-for-sale investments, and contingent consideration liability at fair value. The Company considers the carrying values of accounts receivable, commissions receivable, other receivables, prepaid expenses, other current assets, accounts payable, commissions and advisory fees payable, accruedAccrued expenses and other current liabilities to approximate fair values primarily due to their short-term natures.
Cash equivalents and debt securities are classified within Level 2 (see "Note 6: Fair Value Measurements")consisted of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values them utilizing market observable inputs. Unrealized gains and losses are included in "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" on the consolidated balance sheets, and amounts reclassified out of comprehensive income into net income are determined on the basis of specific identification.following (in thousands):
March 31, 2022December 31, 2021
Salaries and related benefit expenses$10,518 $26,417 
HKFS Contingent Consideration liability (1)
30,000 28,300 
Accrued legal costs1,609 2,871 
Accrued vendor and advertising costs10,923 3,777 
Accrued taxes3,698 — 
Other4,507 4,313 
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities$61,255 $65,678 
__________________________
The Company has a contingent consideration liability that is related to the Company's 2015 acquisition of SimpleTax Software Inc. ("SimpleTax") and is classified within Level 3 (see "Note 6: Fair Value Measurements") of the fair value hierarchy because the Company values it 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 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.
Concentration of credit risk:  Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments, trade accounts receivable, and commissions receivable. These instruments are generally unsecured and uninsured.
(1)For cash equivalents, short-term investments, and commissions receivable, the Company attempts to manage exposure to counterparty credit risk by only entering into agreements with major financial institutions and investment sponsors that are expected to be able to fully perform under the terms of the agreement.
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.
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 impactmore information on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations. The Company currently is evaluating, or has adopted, ASUs that impact the following areas:
Revenue recognition - 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. Early adoption is permitted only as of annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period.
The Company will adopt the requirements of the new standard on January 1, 2018, utilizing the modified retrospective transition method. Upon adoption, the Company will recognize the cumulative effect of adopting this ASU as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Prior periods will not be retrospectively adjusted. The Company expects that the adoption of this ASU will not have a material impact to its consolidated financial statements, including the presentation of revenues in the statement of comprehensive income.
Leases (ASU 2016-02) - In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU on lease accounting, whereby lease assets andcontingent liabilities, whether arising from leases that are considered operating or finance (capital) and have a term of twelve months or less, will be recognized on the balance sheet. Enhanced qualitative disclosures also will be required. This guidance is effective on a modified retrospective basis--with various practical expedients related to leases that commenced before the effective date--for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The Company currently is evaluating the impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Stock-based compensation (ASU 2016-09) - In March 2016, the FASB issued an ASU on employee share-based payment accounting.  The ASU requires that excess tax benefits and deficiencies be recognized as income tax benefit or expense, rather than as additional paid-in capital.  In addition, the ASU requires that excess tax benefits be recorded in the period that shares vest or settle, regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the same period.  Cash flows related to excess tax benefits will be included as an operating activity, and no longer classified as a financing activity, in the statement of cash flows.  This guidance was effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2016.  The guidance related to the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies as income tax benefit or expense was effective on a prospective basis, and the guidance related to the timing of excess tax benefit recognition was effective using a modified retrospective transition method with a cumulative-effect adjustment to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted.  The cash flow presentation guidance was effective on a retrospective or prospective basis.
The Company implemented this ASU on January 1, 2017 and recorded a cumulative-effect adjustment of $51.5 million to credit retained earnings for deferred tax assets related to net operating losses that arose from excess tax benefits, which the Company has deemed realizable.  In addition to this:
At the time of adoption and on a prospective basis, the primary impact of adoption was the recognition of excess tax benefits and deficiencies, including deferred tax assets related to net operating losses that arose from excess tax benefits which the Company has deemed realizable, in the income tax provision (rather than in additional paid-in capital). This caused income taxes to differ from taxes at the statutory rates in 2017. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized an estimated $7.0 million increase to the income tax provision, which resulted in a $7.0 million decrease to income from continuing operations and net income attributable to Blucora, a $0.15 decrease to basic earnings per share, and a $0.15 decrease to diluted earnings per share. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company recognized an estimated $0.4 million increase to the income tax provision, which resulted in a $0.4 million decrease to income from continuing operations and net income attributable to Blucora, a $0.01 decrease to basic earnings per share, and a $0.01 decrease to diluted earnings per share.
The Company applied the cash flow presentation guidance on a retrospective basis, restating the consolidated statements of cash flows to present excess tax benefits as an operating activity (rather than a financing activity). For the three months ended September 30, 2016, this resulted in a decrease to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $5.6 million and a corresponding decrease to cash used by financing activities from continuing operations for the amount historically presented in the "excess tax benefits from stock-based award activity" line item in the consolidated statements of cash flows. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, this resulted in an increase to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations of $21.4 million and a corresponding increase to cash used by financing activities from continuing operations for the amount historically presented in the "excess tax benefits from stock-based award activity" line item in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The restatement had no impact on total cash flows for the period presented.
The ASU also clarifies that payments made to tax authorities on an employee's behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows, allows the repurchase of more of an employee's shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur.  The cash flow presentation requirements for payments made to tax authorities on an employee's

behalf had no impact to any periods presented, since such cash flows historically have been presented as a financing activity.  The Company is not planning to change tax withholdings and will continue to estimate forfeitures in determining the amount of compensation cost to be recognized in each period.
Statement of cash flows and restricted cash (ASU 2016-18) - In November 2016, the FASB issued an ASU on the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows.  The ASU requires that the statement of cash flows explains the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash; therefore, the amounts described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning and end of period total amounts on the statement of cash flows.  This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, beginning after December 15, 2017.  Early adoption is permitted. The guidance is effective on a retrospective basis. The Company elected to early adopt this guidance as of January 1, 2017. The reclassification was not material to the periods presented and had no impact on total cash flows, income from continuing operations, or net income attributable to Blucora for the periods presented. See the "Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash" section of this note for additional information.
Note 3: Business Combinations
HD Vest: On December 31, 2015 and pursuant to the Purchase Agreement dated October 14, 2015, the Company acquired HD Vest for $613.7 million, after a $1.8 million final working capital adjustment in the first quarter of 2016. HD Vest provides wealth management solutions for financial advisors and their clients. In connection with the acquisition, certain members of HD Vest management rolled over a portion of the proceeds they would have otherwise received at the closing into shares of the acquisition subsidiary through which the Company consummated the purchase of HD Vest. A portion of those shares were sold to the Company in exchange for a promissory note. After giving effect to the rollover shares and related purchase of the rollover shares for the promissory note, the Company indirectly owns 95.52% of HDV Holdings, Inc., with the remaining 4.48% noncontrolling interest held collectively by the rollover management members and subject to put and call arrangements exercisable beginning in 2019.
The Purchase Agreement dictated that the Company placed into escrow $20.0 million of additional consideration that was contingent upon HD Vest's 2015 earnings performance. The contingent consideration threshold was not achieved; therefore, the amount was excluded from the purchase price and recorded as a receivable in "Other receivables" as of December 31, 2015 for the amount that was returned to the Company from the escrow agent in the first quarter of 2016.
Note 4: Discontinued Operations
On November 17, 2016, the Company closed on an agreement with YFC-Boneagle Electric Co., Ltd. ("YFC"), under which YFC acquired the E-Commerce business for $40.5 million, which included a working capital adjustment. Of this amount, $39.5 million was received in the fourth quarter of 2016 and $1.0 million was received in the second quarter of 2017--both amounts were included in investing activities from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company used all of the proceeds to pay down debt.
On August 9, 2016, the Company closed on an agreement with OpenMail LLC ("OpenMail"), under which OpenMail acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain specified liabilities of the Search and Content business for $45.2 million, which included a working capital adjustment, and was included in investing activities from discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company used all of the proceeds to pay down debt.

Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is as follows (in thousands):
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Major classes of items in net income (loss):       
Revenues$
 $53,721
 $
 $209,108
Operating expenses
 (50,952) 
 (192,874)
Other loss, net
 (415) 
 (844)
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
 2,354
 
 15,390
Loss on sale of discontinued operations before income taxes
 (29,509) 
 (68,034)
Discontinued operations, before income taxes
 (27,155) 
 (52,644)
Income tax expense
 (13,373) 
 (5,337)
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes$
 $(40,528) $
 $(57,981)
Note 5: Restructuring
The following table summarizes the activity in the restructuring liability (in thousands), resulting from the relocation of corporate headquarters to Irving, Texas as part of the Strategic Transformation:
 Employee-Related Termination Costs Contract Termination Costs Fixed Asset Impairments Stock-Based Compensation Other Costs Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016$4,234
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $4,234
Restructuring charges(30) (241) 1,878
 981
 32
 2,620
Payments(434) (161) 
 
 (32) (627)
Non-cash
 1,457
 (1,878) (981) 
 (1,402)
Balance as of June 30, 20173,770
 1,055
 
 
 
 4,825
Restructuring charges(3)     97
 12
 106
Payments(2,447) (256) 
 
 (12) (2,715)
Non-cash
 
 
 (97) 
 (97)
Balance as of September 30, 2017$1,320
 $799
 $
 $
 $
 $2,119
Employee-related termination costs primarily include severance benefits, under both ongoing and one-time benefit arrangements that are payable at termination dates throughout 2017, with the majority paid in the second half of 2017. Contract termination costs and fixed asset impairments were incurred in connection with the Bellevue facility's operating lease and related fixed assets, which are described further in the next two paragraphs, respectively. Stock-based compensation primarily includes the impact of equity award modifications associated with employment contracts for certain individuals impacted by the relocation, as well as forfeitures that were recorded for severed employees. Other costs include office moving costs.
 The Company has a non-cancelable operating lease that runs through 2020 for its former corporate headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, which the Company occupied until May 2017. In March 2017, the Company agreed to a sublease for the entire Bellevue facility, which was effective June 1, 2017 and expires on September 30, 2020, consistent with the underlying operating lease. Under that sublease agreement, the Company will not recover all of its remaining lease rental obligations (including common area maintenance costs and real estate taxes) and, therefore, recognized a loss on sublease of $1.1 million. Seesee "Note 9: 9—Commitments and Contingencies" for additional information on the sublease. The Company also wrote-off its $1.5 million deferred rent liability (a non-cash item), related to various lease incentives that had been provided originally by the landlord, and incurred broker commissions related to the sublease agreement. All of these items were recorded as contract termination costs in the first quarter of 2017.Contingencies."
The Company began receiving sublease offers in the first quarter of 2017, at which point it was indicated that the remaining lease rental obligations, and the related value for the leasehold improvements and the office furniture and equipment, would not be fully recovered. As a result and given the nature of these fixed assets, the Company fully impaired the $1.9 million carrying value of those assets in the first quarter of 2017.

Note 6:8: Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with ASC 820, "Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures", certainCertain of the Company'sour assets and liabilities which are carried at fair value and are valued using inputs that are classified in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2: Observable market-based inputs, other than Level 1, or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data and reflect the Company’sour own assumptions.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 14


Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring Basis
The fair value hierarchy of the Company’sour financial assets and liabilities carried at estimated fair value and measured on a recurring basis waswere as follows (in thousands):
  Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
 March 31, 2022Quoted prices in
active markets
using identical 
assets
(Level 1)
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Cash equivalents: money market and other funds$4,294 $4,294 $— $— 
Deferred compensation assets905 905 — — 
Total assets at fair value$5,199 $5,199 $— $— 
HKFS Contingent Consideration liability$30,000 $— $— $30,000 
Deferred compensation liabilities905 905 — — 
Total liabilities at fair value$30,905 $905 $— $30,000 
  Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
 December 31, 2021Quoted prices in
active markets
using identical 
assets
(Level 1)
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Cash equivalents: money market and other funds$4,293 $4,293 $— $— 
Total assets at fair value$4,293 $4,293 $— $— 
HKFS Contingent Consideration liability$28,300 $— $— $28,300 
Total liabilities at fair value$28,300 $— $— $28,300 
Cash equivalents are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because we value them utilizing quoted prices in active markets.
  
Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
 September 30, 2017
Quoted prices in
active markets
using identical 
assets
(Level 1)

Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Cash equivalents: money market and other funds$10,827

$

$10,827

$
Total assets at fair value$10,827

$

$10,827

$
Acquisition-related contingent consideration liability$2,704
 $
 $
 $2,704
Total liabilities at fair value$2,704
 $
 $
 $2,704
We offer non-qualified deferred compensation plans to our executive officers, board of directors, and certain independent financial professionals. Participants in these plans direct the investment of their accounts among the available investment options, which are generally the same as those available under our 401(k) plan. We have elected to fund these obligations through a rabbi trust which mirrors the investment elections made by participants. The assets in the rabbi trust are held for the purpose of satisfying our obligations to participants, however, remain subject to the claims of our creditors in the event we become insolvent. Our obligations and corresponding investments held under these non-qualified deferred compensation plans primarily consist of money market and mutual funds and are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because we value them utilizing quoted prices in active markets. These investments, and the corresponding deferred compensation liabilities, are included within “Other long-term assets” and “Other long-term liabilities”, respectively, on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The HKFS Contingent Consideration liability relates to post-closing earn-out payments resulting from the acquisition of Avantax Planning Partners, formerly “HKFS” (see “Note 9—Commitments and Contingencies”). Based on advisory asset levels and the achievement of performance goals for the first earn-out period, we made the full $30.0 million payment in the third quarter of 2021.
   Fair value measurements at the reporting date using
 December 31, 2016 
Quoted prices in
active markets
using identical 
assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
unobservable
inputs
(Level 3)
Cash equivalents:       
U.S government securities$2,749
 $
 $2,749
 $
Money market and other funds4,090
 
 4,090
 
Commercial paper1,999
 
 1,999
 
Taxable municipal bonds1,301
 
 1,301
 
Total cash equivalents10,139
 
 10,139
 
Available-for-sale investments:       
Debt securities:       
U.S. government securities2,000
 
 2,000
 
Commercial paper1,998
 
 1,998
 
Time deposits807
 
 807
 
Taxable municipal bonds2,296
 
 2,296
 
Total debt securities7,101
 
 7,101
 
Total assets at fair value$17,240
 $
 $17,240
 $
        
Acquisition-related contingent consideration liability$3,421
 $
 $
 $3,421
Total liabilities at fair value$3,421
 $
 $
 $3,421

A reconciliationThe estimated fair value of the portion of the HKFS Contingent Consideration liability related to the second earn-out period (calculated in accordance with the amended HKFS Purchase Agreement and based on estimated advisory asset levels as of June 30, 2022) was $30.0 million as of March 31, 2022 and is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The estimated fair value of the second earn-out payment was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model in a risk neutral framework with the underlying simulated variable of advisory asset levels and the related achievement of certain advisory asset growth levels. The Monte Carlo simulation model utilized Level 3 items measured atinputs, which included forecasted advisory asset levels as of June 30, 2022, a risk-adjusted discount rate (which reflects the risk in the advisory asset projection) of 12.2%, asset volatility of 24.6%, and a credit spread of 1.9%. Significant increases to the discount rate, asset volatility, or credit spread inputs would have resulted in a significantly lower fair value onmeasurement, and a recurring basis
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 15


significant decrease to the forecasted advisory asset levels would have resulted in a significantly lower fair value measurement.
A roll forward of the HKFS Contingent Consideration liability is as follows (in thousands):
HKFS Contingent Consideration liability
Balance as of December 31, 2020$35,900 
HKFS Contingent Consideration first earn-out payment(30,000)
Valuation change recognized as expense22,400 
Balance as of December 31, 202128,300 
Valuation change recognized as expense1,700 
Balance as of March 31, 2022$30,000 
Acquisition-related contingent consideration liability: 
Balance as of December 31, 2016$3,421
Payment(946)
Foreign currency transaction loss229
Balance as of September 30, 2017$2,704
TheChanges in the fair value of this contingent consideration liability is related toare reflected in “Acquisition and integration” expense on the Company's 2015 acquisition of SimpleTax. The full contractual obligation under the contingent consideration arrangement was accrued during the year ended December 31, 2016. Payments are contingent upon product availability and revenue performance over a three-year period ending December 31, 2018 and are expected to occur annually over that period. The first payment was made in the first quarter of 2017 and classified as a financing activity on thecondensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The remaining payments are expected through 2019. The foreign currency transaction loss was included in "Other loss, net" onoperations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
We consider the consolidated statementscarrying values of comprehensive income. As of September 30, 2017, $1.3 million of the contingent consideration liability was included in "Accruedaccounts receivable, commissions receivable, other receivables, prepaid expenses, other current assets, financial professional loans, accounts payable, commissions and advisory fees payable, accrued expenses, and other current liabilities" and $1.4 million in "Other long-term liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets.
The contractual maturities of the debt securities classified as available-for-sale at December 31, 2016 were less than one year.
The cost andliabilities to approximate fair value of available-for-sale investments were as follows (in thousands):
 
Amortized
cost
 
Gross unrealized
gains
 
Gross unrealized
losses
 
Fair
value
Balance as of December 31, 2016$7,102
 $
 $(1) $7,101
The Company had non-recurring Level 3 fair value measurements in 2017 and 2016 relatedvalues primarily due to the redemption and repurchase of its Convertible Senior Notes. See "Note 7: Debt" for details.
Note 7: Debt
The Company’s debt consisted of the following (in thousands):
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 
Principal
amount
 Discount Debt issuance costs 
Net 
carrying
value
 
Principal
amount
 Discount Debt issuance costs 
Net 
carrying
value
Senior secured credit facility$350,000
 $(1,681) $(4,727) $343,592
 $
 $
 $
 $
TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility
 
 
 
 260,000
 (7,124) (5,295) 247,581
Convertible Senior Notes
 
 
 
 172,859
 (6,913) (1,770) 164,176
Note payable, related party3,200
 
 
 3,200
 3,200
 
 
 3,200
Total debt$353,200
 $(1,681) $(4,727) $346,792
 $436,059
 $(14,037) $(7,065) $414,957
Senior secured credit facility: On May 22, 2017, Blucora entered into an agreement with a syndicate of lenders for the purposes of refinancing the credit facility previously entered into in 2015 for the purposes of financing the HD Vest acquisition (the "TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility"), redeeming its Convertible Senior Notes that were outstanding at the time (the "Notes"), and providing future working capital and capital expenditure flexibility. Consequently, the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility was repaid in full and the commitments under the TaxAct - HD Vest revolving credit facility were terminated. The Blucora senior secured credit facility consists of a committed $50.0 million revolving credit loan, which includes a letter of credit sub-facility, and a $375.0 million term loan for an aggregate $425.0 million credit facility. The final maturity dates of the revolving credit loan and term loan are May 22, 2022 and May 22, 2024, respectively. Obligations under the credit facility are guaranteed by certain of Blucora's subsidiaries and secured by the assets of Blucora and those subsidiaries.
Blucora borrowed $375.0 million under the term loan when it entered into the senior secured credit facility. Principal payments on the term loan are payable quarterly in an amount equal to 0.25% of the initial outstanding principal. The interest rate on the term loan is variable at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), subject to a floor of 1.00%, plus a margin

of 3.75%, payable at the end of each interest period. Through September 30, 2017, Blucora has made prepayments of $25.0 million towards the term loan.
Blucora may borrow under the revolving credit loan in an aggregate principal amount not less than $2.0 million or any whole multiple of $1.0 million in excess thereof. Principal payments on the revolving credit loan are payable at maturity. The interest rate on the revolving credit loan is variable, with initial draws at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.00%. Subsequent draws on the revolving credit loan also have variable interest rates, based upon LIBOR plus a margin of between 2.75% and 3.00%. In each case, the applicable margin within the range depends upon Blucora's Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement for the credit facility) over the previous four quarters. Interest is payable at the end of each interest period. Blucora has not borrowed any amounts under the revolving credit loan.
Blucora has the right to permanently reduce and/or prepay, without premium or penalty (other than customary LIBOR breakage costs), the entire credit facility at any time or portions of the credit facility in an aggregate principal amount not less than $5.0 million ($2.0 million in the case of prepayments) or any whole multiple of $1.0 million in excess thereof, except for prepayments through November 22, 2017, which require a prepayment of a premium equal to 1.00% of the total principal amount prepaid. Beginning on December 31, 2018, Blucora will be required to make annual prepayments if certain levels of cash flow are achieved.
The credit facility includes financial and operating covenants, including a consolidated total net leverage ratio, which are set forth in detail in the credit agreement. As of September 30, 2017, Blucora was in compliance with all of the financial and operating covenants.their short-term natures.
As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2022, the credit facility'sTerm Loan’s principal amount approximated its fair value as it is a variable rate instrumentwas $560.9 million, and the current applicable margin approximates current market conditions.
In connection with the refinancing, the Company performed an analysis by creditor and determined that the refinancing qualified as an extinguishment. As a result, the Company recognized a loss on debt extinguishment during the three months ended June 30, 2017, which was recorded in "Other loss, net" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consisted of the following (in thousands):
Loss on debt extinguishment - TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility$9,593
Loss on debt extinguishment - Convertible Senior Notes6,715
Total loss on debt extinguishment$16,308
The amount for the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility included the write-off of the remaining unamortized discount and debt issuance costs. For the Notes, the Company allocated the cash paid first to the liability component of the Notes based on the fair value of the redeemed Notes. The fair value was based on a discounted cash flow analysis of the Notes'Term Loan’s principal and related interest payments, using a discount rate that approximated the current market rate for similar debt without conversion rights. The difference between the fair value and net carrying value of the repurchased Notes was recognized as a loss and recorded in "Other loss, net" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. No amount was allocated to$560.2 million. As of December 31, 2021, the equity component of the Notes, sinceTerm Loan’s principal amount was $561.3 million, and the fair value of the liability component exceeded the cash paid.
TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility:Term Loan’s principal amount was $559.9 million. The Company had repayment activity of $64.0 million and $105.0 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. These repayments resulted in the acceleration of a portion of the unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, which were recorded in "Other loss, net" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Convertible Senior Notes: In June 2017, the Company redeemed almost all of the outstanding Notes for cash with proceeds from the senior secured credit facility.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company repurchased $28.4 million of the Notes for cash of $20.7 million. Similar to the analysis performed for the Notes that were redeemed in June 2017, the Company allocated the cash paid first to the liability component of the Notes based on the fair value of the repurchased Notes. The difference between the fair value and net carrying value of the repurchased Notes was recognized as a gain, since the Notes were repurchased below par value, and recorded in "Other loss, net" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. NoTerm Loan’s principal amount was allocated to the equity component of the Notes, since the fair value of the liability component exceeded the cash paid.based on Level 2 inputs from a third-party market quotation.

The following table sets forth total interest expense, prior to the refinancing, related to the Notes (in thousands):
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Contractual interest expense (Cash)$
 $1,836
 $3,141
 $5,782
Amortization of debt issuance costs (Non-cash)
 231
 401
 704
Accretion of debt discount (Non-cash)
 901
 1,567
 2,749
Total interest expense$
 $2,968
 $5,109
 $9,235
Note payable, related party:  The note payable is with the former President of HD Vest and arose in connection with the acquisition of HD Vest. Certain members of HD Vest management rolled over a portion of the proceeds they would have otherwise received at the acquisition's closing into shares of the acquisition subsidiary through which the Company consummated the purchase of HD Vest. The former President of HD Vest sold a portion of his shares to the Company in exchange for the note. The note will be paid over a three-year period, with 50% paid in year one ($3.2 million was paid in December 2016), 40% paid in year two, and 10% paid in year three. The note bears interest at a rate of 5% per year, with a principal amount that approximates its fair value.
Note 8: Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
A reconciliation of redeemable noncontrolling interests is as follows (in thousands):
Balance as of December 31, 2016$15,696
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests466
Balance as of September 30, 2017$16,162
The redemption amount at September 30, 2017 was $12.4 million.

Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies

HKFS Contingent Consideration Liability
Significant events duringOn July 1, 2020, we closed the acquisition of Avantax Planning Partners, formerly “HKFS”, for an upfront cash purchase price of $104.4 million. The purchase price was subject to variable contingent consideration, or earn-out payments (the “HKFS Contingent Consideration”) totaling a maximum of $60.0 million.
The HKFS Contingent Consideration to be paid is determined based on advisory asset levels and the achievement of certain performance goals (i) for the period coveredbeginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 and (ii) for the period beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2020, by this Quarterly Reportand among the Company, HKFS, the selling stockholders named therein (the “Sellers”), and JRD Seller Representative, LLC, as the Sellers’ representative (as amended on Form 10-Q, outside ofApril 7, 2020, June 30, 2020, and June 29, 2021) (the “HKFS Purchase Agreement”), the ordinary course ofmaximum aggregate amount that we would be required to pay for each earn-out period is $30.0 million. If the Company’s business, include debt activity (as discussed further in "Note 7: Debt"),asset market values on the applicable measurement date fall below certain specified thresholds, no payment of a portion of the acquisition-related contingent consideration liability (as discussed further in "Note 6: Fair Value Measurements"), estimated sublease income of $3.8 million primarily relatedis owed to the sublease agreementSellers for such period.
Based on advisory asset levels and the achievement of performance goals for the Bellevue facility (as discussed furtherfirst earn-out period specified in "Note 5: Restructuring"), purchase commitments with a vendorthe HKFS Purchase Agreement, we paid the full $30.0 million to provide cloud computation services of $11.3 million over the next four years, and a commitment to switch to a new clearing firm provider that has been selected by the Company bySellers in the third quarter of 2018. Additional2021. The estimated fair value of the HKFS Contingent Consideration liability for the second earn-out period was $30.0 million as of March 31, 2022. For additional information on the Company’s Commitments and Contingencies can be found invaluation of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.HKFS Contingent Consideration liability, see "Note 8—Fair Value Measurements."
Litigation: Litigation
From time to time, the Company iswe are subject to various legal proceedings, regulatory matters or fines, or claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company accruesWe accrue a liability when management believes that both it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. The following is a brief description of the more significant legal proceedings. Although the Company believeswe believe that resolving such claims, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on itsour financial statements, these matters are subject to inherent uncertainties.
On December 12, 2016,
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 16


We are not currently a shareholder derivative action was filed by Jeffrey Tilden against the Company,party to any such matters for which we have recognized a material liability on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as a nominal defendant, Andrew Snyder, who was a director of the Company at that time, certain companies affiliated with Mr. Snyder, a former officer of the Company, GCA Savvian Advisors, LLC ("GCA Savvian"), and certain other current and former members of the Blucora Board of Directors, in the Superior Court of the State of California in and for the County of San Francisco. The complaint asserts claims for breaches of fiduciary duty against certain current and former directors of the Company related to the Company’s share repurchases and the Company’s acquisitions of HD Vest and Monoprice. The complaint asserts a claim against GCA Savvian, the Company’s financial advisor in connection with the HD Vest acquisition, for aiding and abetting breaches of fiduciary duty. The complaint also asserts a claim for insider trading against Mr. Snyder, a former officer of the Company, and certain companies affiliated with Mr. Snyder. The derivative action does not seek monetary damages from the Company. The complaint seeks corporate governance reforms, declaratory relief, monetary damages from the other defendants, attorney’s fees and prejudgment interest.March 31, 2022.

On March 10, 2017, the Company filed a motion to dismiss for improper venue as a result of a forum selection provision in the Company’s bylaws that required the plaintiff to file his derivative fiduciary duty claims in Delaware. Other defendants also filed motions to quash the summons due to a lack of personal jurisdiction over them. On July 25, 2017, the Court granted the Company's motion to dismiss. The case has been stayed by the Court until November 22, 2017, after which the case will be dismissed without further order of the Court.
The Company hasWe have entered into indemnification agreements in the ordinary course of business with itsour officers and directors, and the agreement entered into with GCA Savvian in connection with the acquisition of HD Vest also contained indemnification provisions.directors. Pursuant to these agreements, the Companywe may be obligated to advance payment of legal fees and costs incurred by the defendants pursuant to the Company’sour obligations under these indemnification agreements and applicable Delaware law.
Note 10: Stockholders’ EquityInterest Expense and Other, Net
Stock-based compensation: The Company included“Interest expense and other, net” on the following amounts for stock-based compensation expense, which related to stock options, restricted stock units ("RSUs"), and the Company’s employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"), in thecondensed consolidated statements of comprehensive incomeoperations consisted of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
20222021
Interest expense$7,130 $7,183 
Amortization of debt issuance costs389 363 
Amortization of debt discount292 277 
Total interest expense7,811 7,823 
Interest income and other30 60 
Interest expense and other, net$7,841 $7,883 
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Cost of revenue$412
 $52
 $546
 $117
Engineering and technology225
 434
 734
 1,167
Sales and marketing529
 661
 1,801
 1,688
General and administrative1,966
 2,217
 5,353
 7,644
Restructuring97
 
 1,078
 
Total in continuing operations3,229
 3,364
 9,512
 10,616
Discontinued operations
 (727) 
 2,014
Total$3,229
 $2,637
 $9,512
 $12,630
In the second quarter of 2017, the Company granted 350,000 non-qualified stock options to certain HD Vest financial advisors, who are considered non-employees. These stock options vest fully three years from the date of grant. The Company used the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation method to calculate stock-based compensation, using assumptions for the risk-free interest rate, expected dividend yield, expected volatility, and expected life under the same methodology that is used for employee grants. Since these are non-employee grants, stock-based compensation expense will be remeasured at the end of each quarter. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, stock-based compensation expense for these non-employees was $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and was recorded in "Cost of revenue" on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Total net shares issued for stock options exercised, RSUs vested, and shares purchased pursuant to the ESPP were as follows (in thousands):
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Stock options exercised1,243
 
 3,651
 140
RSUs vested91
 102
 442
 426
Shares purchased pursuant to ESPP62
 114
 138
 191
Total1,396
 216
 4,231
 757
Note 11: Segment InformationIncome Taxes
For 2022, our provision for income taxes in interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective tax rate. We record cumulative adjustments in the quarter in which a change in the estimated annual effective rate is determined. The Company has two reportable segments:estimated annual effective tax rate does not include the Wealth Management segmenteffects of discrete events that may occur during the year. The effect of these events, if any, is recorded in the quarter in which the event occurs.
We recorded income tax expense of $2.6 million and $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021 differed from the 21% statutory rate primarily due to the release of valuation allowances and the Tax Preparation segment.effect of state income taxes. We maintain a valuation allowance for federal net operating loss carryforwards that we have concluded it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax benefits will not be realized. This valuation allowance does not prevent us from utilizing unexpired net operating losses to offset taxable income in future periods. The former Searchmajority of these net operating losses will either be utilized or expire between 2022 and Content and E-Commerce segments are included in discontinued operations. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is its chief operating decision maker and reviews financial information presented on a disaggregated basis. This information is used for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance.2024.


Information on reportable segments currently presented to the Company’s chief operating decision maker and a reconciliation to consolidated net income are presented below (in thousands):
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Revenue:       
Wealth Management$86,809
 $80,088
 $254,772
 $233,496
Tax Preparation3,362
 3,149
 156,936
 135,614
Total revenue90,171
 83,237
 411,708
 369,110
Operating income (loss):       
Wealth Management12,425
 11,628
 36,684
 32,458
Tax Preparation(6,238) (4,382) 83,410
 72,987
Corporate-level activity(17,513) (17,754) (57,536) (54,153)
Total operating income (loss)(11,326) (10,508) 62,558
 51,292
Other loss, net(5,241) (11,453) (39,149) (29,883)
Income tax benefit (expense)(166) 8,537
 (5,952) (8,899)
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 (40,528) 
 (57,981)
Net income (loss)$(16,733) $(53,952) $17,457
 $(45,471)
Revenues by major category within each segment are presented below (in thousands):
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Wealth Management:       
Commission$39,432
 $38,962
 $117,181
 $111,070
Advisory37,588
 32,705
 107,078
 95,759
Asset-based6,526
 5,476
 19,276
 16,689
Transaction and fee3,263
 2,945
 11,237
 9,978
Total Wealth Management revenue$86,809
 $80,088
 $254,772
 $233,496
Tax Preparation:       
Consumer$3,149
 $2,950
 $143,239
 $122,678
Professional213
 199
 13,697
 12,936
Total Tax Preparation revenue$3,362
 $3,149
 $156,936
 $135,614
Note 12: Net Income (Loss) Per Share
"Basic net income (loss) per share"share” is computedcalculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the applicable period. "Diluted“Diluted net income (loss) per share"share” is computedcalculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the applicable period. Dilutive potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding stock options and the vesting of unvested RSUs.outstanding restricted stock units using the treasury stock method. Cash-settled restricted stock units are not settled in common shares and are therefore excluded from dilutive potential common shares. Dilutive potential common shares are excluded from the computationcalculation of earningsdiluted net income per share if their effect is antidilutive. Certain of our performance-based restricted stock units are considered contingently issuable shares and are excluded from the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding computation because the related performance-based criteria were not achieved as of the end of the reporting period.

Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 17


The computationcalculations of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to Blucora, Inc. iswere as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021
Numerator:
Net income$34,620 $27,646 
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding48,513 48,261 
Dilutive potential common shares (1)
1,234 836 
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding49,747 49,097 
Net income per share:
Basic$0.71 $0.57 
Diluted$0.70 $0.56 
Shares excluded (1)
910 1,289 
________________________
(1)Potential common shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share for these periods because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 18
 Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Numerator:       
Income (loss) from continuing operations$(16,733) $(13,424) $17,457
 $12,510
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(164) (167) (466) (426)
Income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to Blucora, Inc.(16,897) (13,591) 16,991
 12,084
Loss from discontinued operations attributable to Blucora, Inc.
 (40,528) 
 (57,981)
Net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc.$(16,897) $(54,119) $16,991
 $(45,897)
Denominator:       
Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic45,459
 41,635
 43,749
 41,404
Dilutive potential common shares
 
 3,064
 925
Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted45,459
 41,635
 46,813
 42,329
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Blucora, Inc. - basic:      
Continuing operations$(0.37) $(0.33) $0.39
 $0.29
Discontinued operations
 (0.97) 
 (1.40)
Basic net income (loss) per share$(0.37) $(1.30) $0.39
 $(1.11)
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Blucora, Inc. - diluted:      
Continuing operations$(0.37) $(0.33) $0.36
 $0.29
Discontinued operations
 (0.97) 
 (1.37)
Diluted net income (loss) per share$(0.37) $(1.30) $0.36
 $(1.08)
Shares excluded5,798
 10,246
 1,160
 6,317

Shares excluded primarily related to the anti-dilutive effect of a net loss (for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016), and stock options with an exercise price greater than the average price during the applicable periods.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements in this report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27Afollowing discussion provides an analysis of the Securities ActCompany’s financial condition, cash flows, and results of 1933, as amended,operations from management’s perspective and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "project," "expect," "future," "intend," "may," "will," "should," "could," "would,""estimate," "predict," "potential," "continue," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: statements regarding projections of our future financial performance; trends in our businesses; our future business plans and growth strategy, including our "Strategic Transformation;" and the sufficiency of our cash balances and cash generated from operating, investing, and financing activities for our future liquidity and capital resource needs.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause our results, levels of activity, performance, achievements, and prospects to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others, those identified under Part II Item 1A, "Risk Factors," and elsewhere in this report. You should not rely on forward-looking statements included herein, which speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or the date specified herein. We do not undertake any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement to reflect new information, events, or circumstances after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included under Part 1I, Item 1 ofand the section titled “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this report,Form 10-Q, as well as with our consolidated financial statements, accompanying notes thereto, and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsOperations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2021.

Overview
Blucora, Inc. (the “Company,” “Blucora,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a leading provider of integrated tax-focused wealth management services and software, assisting consumers, small business owners, tax professionals, financial professionals, and certified public accounting (“CPA”) firms. Our Business
Blucora (the "Company," "Blucora," or "we") operatesmission is to enable financial success by changing the way individuals and families plan and achieve their goals through tax-advantaged solutions. We conduct our operations through two primary businesses: a(1) the Wealth Management business and an online(2) the Tax PreparationSoftware business. Our common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “BCOR.”
TheWealth Management
Our Wealth Management business consists of the operations of HDV Holdings, Inc.Avantax Wealth Management and its subsidiariesAvantax Planning Partners (collectively, referred to as "HD Vest"the “Wealth Management business” or the "Wealth Management Business"segment”). HD Vest
Avantax Wealth Management provides tax-focused wealth management solutions for financial advisorsprofessionals, tax professionals, CPA firms, and their clients. Specifically, HD VestAvantax Wealth Management offers its services through its registered broker-dealer, registered investment advisor (“RIA”), and insurance agency subsidiaries and is a leading U.S. tax-focused independent broker-dealer. Avantax Wealth Management works with a nationwide network of financial professionals that operate as independent contractors. Avantax Wealth Management provides these financial professionals with an integrated platform of brokerage, investment advisorytechnical, practice, compliance, operations, sales, and insuranceproduct support tools that enable them to offer tax-advantaged planning, investing, and wealth management services to assisttheir clients.
Avantax Planning Partners is an in-house/employee-based RIA, insurance agency, and wealth management business that partners with CPA firms in making eachorder to provide their consumer and small business clients with holistic financial advisor a financial service center for his/her clients. HD Vest was foundedplanning and advisory services, as well as retirement plan solutions through Avantax Retirement Plan Services. Avantax Planning Partners formerly operated as Honkamp Krueger Financial Services, Inc. (“HKFS”). We acquired HKFS in July 2020 (the “HKFS Acquisition”) and subsequently rebranded it in order to help taxcreate tighter brand alignment through one common and accounting professionals integrate financial services into their practices. HD Vest primarily recruits independent tax professionals with established tax practices and offers specialized training and support, which allows themrecognizable brand. Any reference to join the HD Vest platform as independent financial advisors. HD Vest generates revenue primarily through commissions, quarterly investment advisory fees based on assets under management and other fees.Avantax Planning Partners in this Form 10-Q is inclusive of HKFS.
The Tax PreparationSoftware
Our Tax Software business consists of the operations of TaxAct, Inc. (collectively referred to as "TaxAct" (“TaxAct,” the “Tax Software business,”or the "Tax Preparation business"Software segment”). TaxAct and provides digital do-it-yourself ("DDIY") tax preparation solutionsservices and ancillary services for consumers, small business owners, and tax professionals. TaxAct generates revenue primarilyprofessionals through its online service at www.TaxAct.com. website www.TaxAct.com and its mobile applications.
COVID-19 Pandemic
The TaxAct websiteextended COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant negative impact on the U.S. and global economy and caused substantial disruption in the information contained therein or connected thereto is not intendedU.S. and global securities markets, and as a result, has negatively impacted both our Wealth Management and Tax Software businesses.
In our Wealth Management business, the amount of cash sweep revenue we generate continues to be incorporatedaffected by reference into this Report.the low interest rate environment. In response to the economic and market disruption associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Reserve decreased the federal funds rate in 2020 and maintained a low-interest rate environment in 2021, causing a significant decline in cash sweep revenue. The Federal Reserve has signaled adjustments to monetary policy that would increase the federal funds rates, which we expect would positively impact cash sweep revenue. If the Federal Reserve does not increase, or further decreases, the federal funds rates, cash sweep revenue would continue to be negatively impacted.
Strategic Transformation
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 19


On October 14, 2015, we announcedIn our plansTax Software segment, the typical seasonality of our Tax Software business has been affected by recent changes to acquire HD Vesttax filing deadlines. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) delayed the start of the tax year 2020 tax season and focusextended the filing and payment deadline for tax year 2020 federal tax returns from April 15, 2021 to May 17, 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the IRS extended the federal filing and payment deadline for Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma to June 15, 2021. Beyond federal filings, the majority of states also extended their filing and payment deadlines for tax year 2020 state tax returns. This extension resulted in the shifting of a significant portion of Tax Software segment revenue that would typically have been expected to be earned in the first quarter to the second quarter of 2021. This change in seasonality caused significant fluctuations in our quarterly financial results and has affected the comparability of our financial results. As a result, the results of operations for the Tax Software segment are not as comparable for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 as they would have been in previous years.
For additional information on the technology-enabled financial solutions market (the "Strategic Transformation"). The Strategic Transformation referseffects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our results of operations for the selected periods, see “Results of Operations” below. For more information related to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact to our transformation into a technology-enabled financial solutions company comprised of TaxAct and HD Vest and the divestitures of our Search and Content business that was operated through our former InfoSpace LLC subsidiary ("InfoSpace") and our E-Commerce business that consisted of the operations of Monoprice, Inc. ("Monoprice") in 2016. As part of the Strategic Transformation and our model of operating as "One Company", we announced on October 27, 2016 plans to relocate our corporate headquarters by June 2017 from Bellevue, Washington to Irving, Texas. The transformation is intended to drive efficiencies and improve operational effectiveness.
In connection with the relocation of our corporate headquarters, we have incurred restructuring costs of approximately $6.6 million. These costs are recorded within corporate-level activity for segment purposes. See "Note 5: Restructuring" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements inbusinesses, see Part I, Item 1 of this report for additional information. We also have incurred costs that do not qualify for restructuring classification, such as recruiting1A and overlap in personnel expenses as we transition positions to Texas ("Strategic Transformation Costs"). The restructuring is now substantially complete and it is expected to be completed by early 2018.
For a discussion of the associated risks, see the sections under the heading "Risks Associated With our Strategic Transformation" in Part II, Item 87 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2021.
Seasonality
Our Tax Preparation business is highly seasonal, with a significant portion of its annual revenue earned in the first four months of our fiscal year. During the third and fourth quarters, the Tax Preparation business typically reports losses in its operating income because revenue from the business is minimal while core operating expenses continue.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 20
Comparability

We reclassified certain amounts on our consolidated statements of cash flows related to excess tax benefits generated from stock-based compensation and restricted cash, both in connection with the implementation of new accounting pronouncements. See the "Recent accounting pronouncements" section of "Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report for additional information.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Summary
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Revenue:
Wealth Management$166,403 $154,491 $11,912 7.7 %
Tax Software141,150 123,892 17,258 13.9 %
Total revenue307,553 278,383 29,170 10.5 %
Operating income (loss):
Wealth Management16,421 19,396 (2,975)(15.3)%
Tax Software58,030 50,888 7,142 14.0 %
Corporate-level activity(29,408)(33,055)3,647 11.0 %
Total operating income45,043 37,229 7,814 21.0 %
Interest expense and other, net(7,841)(7,883)42 0.5 %
Income before income taxes37,202 29,346 7,856 26.8 %
Income tax expense(2,582)(1,700)(882)(51.9)%
Net income$34,620 $27,646 $6,974 25.2 %
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Percentage
Change
 2017 2016 Percentage
Change
Revenue$90,171
 $83,237
 8% $411,708
 $369,110
 12%
Operating income (loss)$(11,326) $(10,508) 8% $62,558
 $51,292
 22%
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared withFor the three months ended September 30, 2016
RevenueMarch 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, net income increased approximately $6.9$7.0 million primarily due to increases of $6.7 million and $0.2 million in revenue related to our the following factors:
Wealth Management and Tax Preparation businesses, respectively, as discussed in the following "Segment Revenue/Operating Income" section.
Operating loss increased approximately $0.8segment operating income decreased $3.0 million consisting of the $6.9 million increase in revenue and offset by an $7.8 million increase in operating expenses. Key changes in operating expenses were:
$5.9 million increase in the Wealth Management segment’s operating expenses primarily due to higher commissions paidpayout ratios to our financial advisors, which fluctuated in proportion to the change in underlying commissionprofessionals and advisory revenues earned on client accounts.incremental personnel costs.
$2.1Tax Software segment operating income increased $7.1 million increase in the Tax Preparation segment’s operating expenses primarily due to higher maintenance fees, development costs and personnel expenses resulting from overall increased headcount supporting most functions.favorable increases in revenue per unit.
$0.2Expenses within corporate-level activity decreased $3.6 million decrease in corporate-level expense activity primarily due to changes in headcount across most functions.reduced acquisition and integration costs.
NineThe Company recorded income tax expense of $2.6 million, an effective tax rate of 6.9%, for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2022, compared with nineto income tax expense of $1.7 million, an effective tax rate of 5.8%, for the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2021.
Revenue increased approximately $42.6 million due to increases of $21.3 million and $21.3 million in revenue related to our Wealth Management and Tax Preparation businesses, respectively, as discussed in the following "Segment Revenue/Operating Income" section.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 21
Operating income increased approximately $11.3 million, consisting of the $42.6 million increase in revenue and offset by a $31.3 million increase in operating expenses. Key changes in operating expenses were:


$17.1 million increase in the Wealth Management segment’s operating expenses due to higher commissions paid to our financial advisors, which fluctuated in proportion to the change in underlying commission and advisory revenues earned on client accounts, and higher net personnel expenses as we continue to standardize employee benefits across our businesses.
$10.9 million increase in the Tax Preparation segment’s operating expenses primarily due to higher spending on marketing, higher professional services fees mostly related to marketing and development projects, higher data center costs related to software support and maintenance fees, increases in growth initiative investments, and higher personnel expenses resulting from overall increased headcount supporting most functions.
$3.4 million increase in corporate-level expense activity primarily due to Strategic Transformation Costs and increased headcount supporting most functions, partially offset by lower stock-based compensation costs due to fewer grants in the current year and higher expense recognized in the prior year related to HD Vest grants in 2016, partially offset by activity within our Tax Preparation business due to prior forfeitures.

SEGMENT REVENUE/REVENUE & OPERATING INCOME
The revenue and operating income amounts in this section are presented on a basis consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.United States ("GAAP"“GAAP”) and include certain reconciling items attributable to each ofour segments. We have two reportable segments: (1) the segments.Wealth Management segment and (2) the Tax Software segment. Segment information appearing in "Note 11: Segment Information" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial

Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report is presented on a basis consistent with our current internal management financial reporting. We have two reportable segments: Wealth Management and Tax Preparation. We do not allocate certain general and administrative costs (including personnel and overhead costs), stock-based compensation, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, restructuring,or contested proxy and other loss,legal and consulting costs to the reportable segments. Such amounts are reflected under the heading “Corporate-level activity.” In addition, we do not allocate interest expense and other, net, andor income taxes to the reportable segments.
Wealth Management
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Revenue$166,403 $154,491 $11,912 7.7 %
Operating income$16,421 $19,396 $(2,975)(15.3)%
Segment margin9.9 %12.6 %
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, Wealth Management segment operating results. We analyze these separately.income decreased $3.0 million primarily due to the following factors:
Wealth Management revenue increased $11.9 million primarily due to a $16.1 million increase in advisory revenue, partially offset by a $4.9 million decrease in commission revenue. The increase in advisory revenue was primarily from increased client asset levels compared to March 31, 2021. Commission revenue was negatively impacted by unfavorable transaction activity and volatility in global markets primarily as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the measures taken in response, including sanctions imposed by governments.
Wealth Management operating expenses increased $14.9 million primarily due to a $10.8 million increase in cost of revenue resulting from increased advisory fees and commissions paid, coupled with $4.1 million of incremental personnel costs. Increased payout ratios correlate with increased asset levels, the timing of certain quarterly billings relative to the market impacts from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the exit of lower producing financial professionals who were concentrated at lower payout levels. Increased personnel costs reflect our strategic investments to drive growth through enhanced service capabilities that support our financial and tax professionals.
Segment margin compression for the three months ended March 31, 2022, was primarily due to the increase in operating expenses discussed above, coupled with the impact of market volatility on our higher margin service offerings. For the remainder of the year, we expect to incur incremental travel and conference costs associated with reduced COVID-19 travel restrictions; however, we expect for segment margin to increase as a result of the recently announced increase in the federal funds rate.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 22


(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 
Percentage
Change
 2017 2016 Percentage
Change
Revenue$86,809
 $80,088
 8% $254,772
 $233,496
 9%
Operating income$12,425
 $11,628
 7% $36,684
 $32,458
 13%
Segment margin14% 15%   14% 14% 

Sources of Revenue
Wealth Management revenue is derived from multiple sources. We track sources of revenue, primary drivers of each revenue source, and recurring revenue. In addition, we focus on several business and key financial metrics in evaluating the success of our business relationships, our resulting financial position, and operating performance. A summary of our sources of revenue and business and financial metrics areis as follows:
Sources of revenue
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
Sources of RevenuePrimary Drivers20222021$%
Financial professional-drivenAdvisory- Advisory asset levels$107,169 $91,119 $16,050 17.6 %
Commission- Transactions
- Asset levels
- Product mix
47,655 52,534 (4,879)(9.3)%
Other revenueAsset-based- Cash balances
- Interest rates
- Number of accounts
- Client asset levels
5,663 5,329 334 6.3 %
Transaction and fee- Account activity
- Number of financial
  professionals
- Number of clients
- Number of accounts
5,916 5,509 407 7.4 %
Total revenue$166,403 $154,491 $11,912 7.7 %
Total recurring revenue$143,737 $130,755 $12,982 9.9 %
Recurring revenue rate86.4 %84.6 %
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 Sources of RevenuePrimary Drivers2017 2016 
Percentage
Change
 2017 2016 
Percentage
Change
Advisor-driven

Commission
- Transactions
- Asset levels
$39,432
 $38,962
 1% $117,181
 $111,070
 6%
Advisory- Advisory asset levels37,588
 32,705
 15% 107,078
 95,759
 12%
Other revenueAsset-based
- Cash balances
- Interest rates
- Number of accounts
- Client asset levels
6,526
 5,476
 19% 19,276
 16,689
 16%
Transaction and fee
- Account activity
- Number of clients
- Number of advisors
- Number of accounts
3,263
 2,945
 11% 11,237
 9,978
 13%
 Total revenue$86,809
 $80,088
 8% $254,772
 $233,496
 9%
 Total recurring revenue$70,539
 $62,543
 13% $203,417
 $183,772
 11%
 Recurring revenue rate81.3% 78.1%   79.8% 78.7%  
Recurring revenue consists of advisory fees, trailing commissions, advisory fees, fees from cash sweep programs, and certain transaction and fee revenue, all as described further below in Commissionunder the headings “Advisory revenue,, Advisory” “Commission revenue,, Asset-based” “Asset-based revenue,, and Transaction“Transaction and fee revenue,, respectively. Certain recurring revenues are associated with asset balances and will fluctuate depending on market values and current interest rates. Accordingly, our recurring revenue can be negatively impacted by adverse external market conditions. However, we believe recurring revenue is meaningful despite these fluctuations because it is not dependent upon transaction volumes or other activity-based revenues, which are more difficult to predict, particularly in declining or volatile markets.
Business metricsMetrics
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
20222021$%
Client assets balances:
Total client assets (1)
$86,144,055 $84,776,191 $1,367,864 1.6 %
Brokerage assets (1)
$45,222,763 $48,001,320 $(2,778,557)(5.8)%
Advisory assets (1)
$40,921,292 $36,774,871 $4,146,421 11.3 %
Advisory assets as a percentage of total client assets47.5 %43.4 %
Number of financial professionals (in ones):
Independent financial professionals (2)
3,376 3,691 (315)(8.5)%
In-house/employee financial professionals (3)
33 27 22.2 %
Total number of financial professionals3,409 3,718 (309)(8.3)%
Advisory and commission revenue per financial professional (4)
$45.4 $38.6 $6.8 17.6 %
___________________________
(1)In connection with our ongoing integration of acquisitions, we refined the methodology by which we calculate client assets to align the methodologies within our Wealth Management segment for calculating such metrics. Specifically, such changes to the methodology include alignment to one third party data aggregator for assets not placed in custody with our clearing firm and to one consistent set of logic for all assets and transaction types. We have not recast client assets for prior periods to conform to our current presentation as we believe the changes to the calculation to be immaterial.
(2)The number of independent financial professionals includes licensed financial professionals that work with Avantax Wealth Management and operate as independent contractors, as well as licensed referring representatives at CPA firms (approximately 162) that partner with Avantax Planning Partners.
(3)The number of in-house/employee financial professionals includes licensed financial planning consultants, all of which are affiliated with Avantax Planning Partners.
(4)Calculation based on advisory and commission revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 23


(In thousands, except percentages and as otherwise indicated)September 30,
 2017 2016 
Percentage
Change
Total Assets Under Administration ("AUA")$42,696,862
 $38,482,620
 11 %
Advisory Assets Under Management ("AUM")$11,984,320
 $10,204,448
 17 %
Percentage of total AUA28.1% 26.5% 
Number of advisors (in ones)4,392
 4,568
 (4)%
Advisor-driven revenue per advisor$17.5
 $15.7
 11 %


Client Assets.Total client assets under administration ("AUA") includesinclude assets that we hold directly or indirectly on behalf of clients under a safekeeping or custody arrangement or for which we provide administrative services for clients. To the extent that we provide more than one AUA service for a client’s assets, the value of the asset is only counted once in the total amount of AUA. AUAtotal client assets. Total client assets include Advisory Assets under Management,advisory assets, non-advisory brokerage accounts, annuities, and mutual fund positions held directly with fund companies. These assets are not reported on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Advisory assets under management ("AUM") includes externalinclude client assets for which we provide investment advisory and management services typically as a fiduciary under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. Our compensation for providing such services is typically a fee basedfee-based on the value of the AUMadvisory assets for each advisory client. These assets are not reported on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.sheets.
Three months ended September 30, 2017Brokerage assets represent total client assets other than advisory assets.
Total client assets increased $1.4 billion at March 31, 2022 compared withto March 31, 2021 primarily due to $2.4 billion of favorable market change and reinvestment levels (primarily during 2021), partially offset by net client outflows of $1.0 billion. Net client outflows included net client inflows during the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2022 of $0.2 billion.
Advisory assets as a percentage of total client assets increased to 47.5% at March 31, 2022, compared to 43.4% at March 31, 2021. This increase was primarily driven by net client inflows of $3.4 billion, relating in part to our focus on converting off platform, direct to fund assets when appropriate for the client, to fee-based advisory platforms that include ongoing management and which incur higher margins.
Financial Professionals. The number of our financial professionals decreased 8.3% at March 31, 2022 compared to March 31, 2021, with the decrease primarily due to attrition related to lower revenue-producing financial professionals. This attrition led to a 17.6% increase in advisory and commission revenue per financial professional for the comparable periods. The decrease in the number of financial professionals was partially offset by our continued recruitment and onboarding of independent financial professionals.
Advisory Revenue.Advisory revenue primarily includes fees charged to clients in advisory accounts for which we are the RIA. These fees are based on the value of assets within these advisory accounts. For advisory revenues generated by Avantax Wealth Management, advisory fees are typically billed quarterly, in advance, and the related advisory revenues are deferred and recognized ratably over the period in which our performance obligations have been completed. For advisory revenue increased approximately $6.7 milliongenerated by Avantax Planning Partners, advisory fees are typically billed quarterly, in arrears, and the related advisory revenues are accrued and recognized ratably over the period in which our performance obligations were completed. Because advisory fees are based on advisory assets on the last day of each quarter, our revenues are impacted, in part, by the timing of market movements relative to when clients are billed.
Advisory asset balances were as discussedfollows (in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,Change
20222021$%
Advisory assets—independent financial professionals$34,393,359 $31,712,984 $2,680,375 8.5 %
Advisory assets—in-house/employee financial professionals5,163,741 3,794,739 1,369,002 36.1 %
Retirement advisory assets—in-house financial professionals1,364,192 1,267,148 97,044 7.7 %
Total advisory assets$40,921,292 $36,774,871 $4,146,421 11.3 %
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 24


The activity within our advisory assets was as follows (in thousands):

Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021
Balance, beginning of the period$42,179,051 $35,603,557 
Net new advisory assets1,166,673 368,863 
Market impact and other(2,424,432)802,451 
Balance, end of the period$40,921,292 $36,774,871 
Advisory revenue$107,169 $91,119 
Average advisory fee rate (1)
25 bps26 bps
_________________________
(1)For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, average advisory fee rate equals advisory revenue for the relevant quarterly period divided by each source of revenue below.
Wealth Management operating income increased approximately $0.8 million, consistingthe advisory asset balance at the beginning of the $6.7relevant quarterly period.
Compared to March 31, 2021, advisory assets increased $4.1 billion, driven by a $3.4 billion increase in net new advisory assets, and reinvestment levels of $0.7 billion. Net new advisory assets benefited from a focus on converting off platform, direct to fund assets when appropriate for the client, to fee-based advisory platforms that include ongoing management and which incur higher margins. This increase in advisory assets resulted in a $16.1 million increase in advisory revenue and offset by a $5.9 million increase in operating expenses.compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021. The increase in Wealth Management operating expenses wasaverage advisory fee rates between the two periods were relatively flat.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, advisory assets declined $1.3 billion primarily due to higher commissions paid to our financial advisors, which fluctuatedvolatility in proportion toglobal markets as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the changemeasures taken in underlying commission and advisory revenues earned on client accounts.response, including sanctions imposed by governments.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Commission Revenue. The Wealth Management revenue increased approximately $21.3 million as discussed by each source of revenue below.
Wealth Management operating income increased approximately $4.2 million, consisting of the $21.3 million increase in revenue and offset by an $17.1 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in Wealth Management operating expenses was primarily due to higher commissions paid to our financial advisors, which fluctuated in proportion to the change in underlying commission and advisory revenues earned on client accounts, and higher net personnel expenses as we continue to standardize employee benefits across our businesses.
Commission revenue:We generatesegment generates two types of commissions: (1) transaction-based sales commissions and (2) trailing commissions. Transaction-based sales commissions, which occur when clients trade securities or purchase investment products, represent gross commissions generated by our financial advisors.professionals. The level of transaction-based sales commissions can vary from period-to-period based on the overall economic environment, number of trading days in the reporting period, market volatility, interest rate fluctuations, and investment activity of our financial advisors'professionals’ clients. We earn trailing commissions (a commission or fee that is paid periodically over time) on certain mutual funds and variable annuities held by clients. Trailing commissions are recurring in nature and are based on the market value of investment holdings in trail-eligible assets.
Our commission revenue, by product category and by sales-based and trailing,type of commission revenue, was as follows:follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
By product category:
Mutual funds$19,383 $23,694 $(4,311)(18.2)%
Variable annuities16,297 18,022 (1,725)(9.6)%
Insurance3,724 5,625 (1,901)(33.8)%
General securities8,251 5,193 3,058 58.9 %
Total commission revenue$47,655 $52,534 $(4,879)(9.3)%
By type of commission:
Transaction-based$20,624 $22,367 $(1,743)(7.8)%
Trailing27,031 30,167 (3,136)(10.4)%
Total commission revenue$47,655 $52,534 $(4,879)(9.3)%
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 
Percentage
Change
 2017 2016 Percentage
Change
By product category:           
Mutual funds$21,128
 $20,196
 5 % $62,371
 $59,021
 6%
Variable annuities12,879
 12,395
 4 % 36,820
 35,725
 3%
Insurance3,037
 3,689
 (18)% 9,715
 8,836
 10%
General securities2,388
 2,682
 (11)% 8,275
 7,488
 11%
Total commission revenue$39,432
 $38,962
 1 % $117,181
 $111,070
 6%
            
By sales-based and trailing:           
Sales-based$15,590
 $16,925
 (8)% $49,190
 $47,703
 3%
Trailing23,842
 22,037
 8 % 67,991
 63,367
 7%
Total commission revenue$39,432
 $38,962
 1 % $117,181
 $111,070
 6%

Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
Sales-based commission revenue decreased approximately $1.3 million primarily due to decreased activity in mutual funds, variable annuities, insurance and general securities resulting from overall market performance and portfolio rebalancings. General securities include equities, exchange-traded funds, bonds and alternative investments.
Trailing commission revenue increased approximately $1.8 million and reflects an increase in the market value of the underlying assets and, to a lesser extent, the impact of new investments.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Sales-based commission revenue increased approximately $1.5 million primarily due to increased activity in mutual funds, insurance and general securities resulting from overall market performance, portfolio rebalancings, product availability and segment refocusing, partially offset by decreased activity in variable annuities.
Trailing commission revenue increased approximately $4.6 million and reflects an increase in the market value of the underlying assets and the impact of new investments.
Advisory revenue:Advisory revenue primarily includes fees charged to clients in advisory accounts where HD Vest is the Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA") and is based on the value of AUM. Advisory fees are typically billed to clients quarterly, in advance, and are recognized as revenue ratably during the quarter. The value of the assets in an advisory account on the billing date determines the amount billed and, accordingly, the revenues earned in the following three-month period. The majority of our accounts are billed in advance using values as of the last business day of the prior calendar quarter.
The activity within our AUM was as follows:
(In thousands)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Balance, beginning of the period$11,551,288
 $9,814,232
 $10,397,071
 $9,692,244
Net increase (decrease) in new advisory assets94,408
 131,982
 613,848
 (1,357)
Market impact and other338,624
 258,234
 973,401
 513,561
Balance, end of the period$11,984,320
 $10,204,448
 $11,984,320
 $10,204,448
Increases or decreases in advisory assets have a limited impact on advisory fee revenue in the period in which they occur. Rather, increases or decreases in advisory assets are a primary driver of future advisory fee revenue. Advisory revenue for a particular quarter is predominately driven by the prior quarter-end AUM.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
The increase in advisory revenue of approximately $4.9 million is primarily due to the increase in the beginning-of-period AUM forFor the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2022, compared withto the three months ended September 30, 2016,March 31, 2021 transaction-based commission revenue and trailing commission revenue decreased $1.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively. These decreases were primarily due to unfavorable transaction activity and volatility in global markets as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the conversion of AUA to fee-based AUM.measures taken in response, including sanctions imposed by governments.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 25


The increase in advisory revenue of approximately $11.3 million is consistent with the increase in the beginning-of-period AUM for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016, and the conversion of AUA to fee-based AUM.
Asset-based revenue:Asset-Based Revenue.Asset-based revenue primarily includes fees from financial product manufacturer sponsorship programs, and cash sweep programs.programs, asset-based retirement plan service fees, and other asset-based revenues.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared withFor the three months ended September 30, 2016
Asset-basedMarch 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, asset-based revenue increased $1.1$0.3 million, primarily a result of incremental revenue generated from higherfinancial product manufacturer sponsorship programs. Interest rates during the two comparable periods were consistent, resulting in flat cash sweep revenues following increases in interest rates. Inrevenue between the current interest rate environment, and through our current clearing provider, we will not benefit from any future interest rate increases.periods.

Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Asset-based revenue increased $2.6 million, primarily from higher cash sweep revenues following increases in interest rates. In the current interest rate environment, and through our current clearing provider, we will not benefit from any future interest rate increases.
Transaction and fee revenue:Fee Revenue.Transaction and fee revenue primarily includes support fees charged to financial professionals, fees charged for executing certain transactions in client accounts, and other fees related to services provided and other account charges as generally outlined in agreements with financial advisors,professionals, clients, financial institutions, and financial institutions.retirement plan sponsors.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared withFor the three months ended September 30, 2016
TransactionMarch 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, transaction and fee revenue increased approximately $0.3$0.4 million, primarily relateddue to advisor fee increases.incremental revenue generated from financial professional support fees.
NineTax Software
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Revenue$141,150 $123,892 $17,258 13.9 %
Operating income$58,030 $50,888 $7,142 14.0 %
Segment margin41.1 %41.1 %
For the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2022, compared with nineto the three months ended September 30, 2016March 31, 2021, Tax Software operating income increased $7.1 million due to the following factors:
Transaction and feeTax Software revenue increased approximately $1.3$17.3 million due to a $14.7 million increase in consumer revenue and a $2.6 million increase in professional revenue. Revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2022 benefited primarily from higher revenue per unit, which we expect to continue into the second quarter of 2022.
Tax Software operating expenses increased $10.1 million primarily relateddue to advisor fee increases.increased investments in seasonal customer care support and tax experts and an increase in strategic advertising and marketing spend.
Sources of Revenue
Tax Preparation
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 
Percentage
Change
 2017 2016 Percentage
Change
Revenue$3,362
 $3,149
 7% $156,936
 $135,614
 16%
Operating income (loss)$(6,238) $(4,382) 42% $83,410
 $72,987
 14%
Segment margin(186)% (139)%   53% 54%  
Tax PreparationSoftware revenue is derived primarily from salesthe sale of our consumertax preparation digital services, ancillary services, packaged tax preparation software, and onlinemultiple element arrangements that may include a combination of these items. Ancillary services primarily include refund payment transfer, audit defense, e-file concierge services, and Xpert Assist.
We classify Tax Software revenue into two different categories: consumer revenue and professional revenue. Consumer revenue is derived from products and services sold to directly customers primarily for the preparation of individual or business tax returns. Professional revenue represents Tax Software revenue derived from products sold to tax return preparers who utilize our offerings to service end-user customers.
Revenue by category was as well as other offeringsfollows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Consumer$125,261 $110,567 $14,694 13.3 %
Professional15,889 13,325 2,564 19.2 %
Total Tax Software revenue$141,150 $123,892 $17,258 13.9 %
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 26


Business Metrics
We measure the performance of our Tax Software business using three sets of non-financial metrics, which we consider to be important indicators of the performance of our Tax Software business and ancillary services to consumers and small business owners. We also generate revenueare especially relevant through the end of a completed tax season. These non-financial metrics include key performance indicators for our total Tax Software business, in addition to the consumer and professional tax preparer software that we sell toportions of the Tax Software business:
We measure our total tax software customers using the total number of accepted federal tax e-files completed by both our consumer tax software customers and our professional tax preparers who use it to prepare and file individual and business returns for their clients.software customers.
We measure our consumer tax preparationsoftware customers using the number of accepted federal tax e-files made through our software and onlinedigital services. We consider growth in the number of e-files to be an important non-financial metric in measuring the performance of the consumer side of the Tax Preparation business.
We measure our professional tax preparersoftware customers using three metrics--themetrics: (1) the number of accepted federal tax e-files made through our software, (2) the number of units sold, and (3) the number of e-files per unit sold. We consider growth in
Quantitative information on the number of consumer e-files, professional e-files, professional units sold, and professional e-files per unit sold has been excluded because we do not view the comparison of these areas to be important non-financial metrics in measuring the performance of the professional tax preparer side of the Tax Preparation business.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
Tax Preparation revenue was comparable to the prior period.
Tax Preparation operating loss increased approximately $1.9 million, consistingyear comparable period as meaningful due to the extension of the $0.2 million increase in revenuefiling and offset by a $2.1 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in Tax Preparation segment operating expenses was primarily duepayment deadline for tax year 2020 federal tax returns from April 15, 2021 to higher maintenance fees, development costs and personnel expenses resulting from overall increased headcount supporting most functions.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Tax Preparation revenue increased approximately $21.3 million primarily due to growth in revenue earned from online consumer users and, to a lesser extent, increased sales of our professional tax preparer software. Online consumer revenue grew, despite a decrease in e-files, due to growth in average revenue per user, primarily resulting from price increases. The decrease in e-files is consistent with our expectationsMay 17, 2021, as we are inwell as the early stages of a multi-year pivot toward profitable customers. Revenue derived from professional tax preparers increased primarily due to an increase in the number of professional preparer units sold.

Tax Preparation operating income increased approximately $10.4 million, consistingextension of the $21.3 million increase in revenuefederal filing and offset by a $10.9 million increase in operating expenses. The increase in Tax Preparation segment operating expenses was primarily duepayment deadlines for Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma to higher spending on marketing, higher professional services fees mostly related to marketing and development projects, higher data center costs related to software support and maintenance fees, increases in growth initiative investments, and higher personnel expenses resulting from overall increased headcount supporting most functions.June 15, 2021.
Corporate-Level Activity
(In thousands)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Operating expenses$4,587
 $4,907
 $(320) $17,823
 $14,066
 $3,757
Stock-based compensation3,132
 3,364
 (232) 8,434
 10,616
 (2,182)
Acquisition-related costs
 
 
 
 391
 (391)
Depreciation1,023
 1,137
 (114) 3,216
 3,386
 (170)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets8,665
 8,346
 319
 25,337
 25,694
 (357)
Restructuring106
 
 106
 2,726
 
 2,726
Total corporate-level activity$17,513
 $17,754
 $(241) $57,536
 $54,153
 $3,383
Certain corporate-level activity, is not allocated to our segments, including certain general and administrative costs (including(such as personnel and overhead costs), stock-based compensation, acquisition-relatedacquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, and restructuring. contested proxy and other legal and consulting costs, is not allocated to our reportable segments.
Corporate-level activity by category was as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Unallocated corporate-level general and administrative expenses$7,292 $5,694 $1,598 28.1 %
Stock-based compensation6,225 5,610 615 11.0 %
Acquisition and integration1,666 8,103 (6,437)(79.4)%
Depreciation4,674 3,243 1,431 44.1 %
Amortization of acquired intangible assets6,631 7,175 (544)(7.6)%
Contested proxy and other legal and consulting costs2,920 3,230 (310)(9.6)%
Total corporate-level activity$29,408 $33,055 $(3,647)(11.0)%
For further detail, refer to segment information appearing in "Note 11: Segment Information" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
Operating expenses, stock-based compensation, depreciation, amortization of acquired intangible assets and restructuring were comparableMarch 31, 2022, compared to the prior period.
Ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Operating expenses included inMarch 31, 2021, corporate-level activity increaseddecreased $3.6 million primarily due to Strategic Transformation Coststhe following factors:
Acquisition and costs associated with leadership changes at HD Vest.
Stock-based compensationintegration expenses decreased $6.4 million, primarily due to fewer grants in the current year and higher expense recognized in the prior year related to HD Vest grants in 2016 that were made in connection with the HD Vest acquisition, partially offset by activity within our Tax Preparation business due to prior forfeitures.
Acquisition-related costs include professional fees and other direct transaction costs and changesa $4.6 million decrease in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquired companies. The SimpleTax acquisition that was completedadjustment recorded for the HKFS Contingent Consideration liability, and a $1.8 million decrease in 2015 included contingent consideration, for which the fair value of that liability was revalued in the second quarter of 2016. The change in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability is recognized in the period in which the fair value changes.
Amortization of acquired intangible assets were comparable to the prior period.
Restructuring relates toprofessional services and other expenses incurred due to a reduction in integration activities.
Unallocated general and administrative expenses increased $1.6 million primarily due to incremental personnel costs.
Depreciation expense increased $1.4 million primarily due to capitalized software costs for our OctoberTax Software business.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 27 2016 announcement to relocate our corporate headquarters by June 2017 from Bellevue, Washington to Irving, Texas. Further detail is provided under the "Operating Expenses - Restructuring" section of the management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations below.



OPERATING EXPENSES
Cost of Revenue
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Wealth Management$119,874 $108,623 $11,251 10.4 %
Tax Software9,426 5,578 3,848 69.0 %
Total cost of revenue$129,300 $114,201 $15,099 13.2 %
Percentage of revenue42.0 %41.0 %
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Wealth management services cost of revenue$59,607
 $54,921
 $4,686
 $172,444
 $158,213
 $14,231
Tax preparation services cost of revenue1,314
 1,319
 (5) 7,543
 6,549
 994
Amortization of acquired technology50
 49
 1
 145
 765
 (620)
Total cost of revenue$60,971
 $56,289
 $4,682
 $180,132
 $165,527
 $14,605
Percentage of revenue68% 68%   44% 45%  
We record the cost of revenue for sales of services when the related revenue is recognized. Cost of revenue consists of costs related to our Wealth Management and Tax PreparationSoftware businesses, which include commissions and advisory fees paid to independent financial advisors,professionals, payments made to CPA firms under fee sharing arrangements, amortization of forgivable loans issued to our financial professionals, third-party costs, and costs associated with the technical support team and the operation of our data centers. Data center costs include personnel expenses, (salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), the cost of temporary help and contractors, professional services fees, (which include technology project consulting fees), software support and maintenance, bandwidth and hosting costs, and depreciation.depreciation (including depreciation related to software development costs in the Tax Software segment). Cost of revenue also includesdoes not include compensation paid to in-house/employee financial professionals in our Wealth Management business. The compensation of our in-house/employee financial professionals is reflected in “Sales and marketing” expense.
For the amortization of acquired technology.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
Wealth management servicesMarch 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, cost of revenue increased primarily due to higher commissions paid to our financial advisors, which fluctuated in proportion to the change in underlying commission and advisory revenues earned on client accounts, and higher stock-based compensation costs related to grants to certain HD Vest financial advisors.
Tax preparation services cost of revenue was comparable to the prior period.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Wealth management services cost of revenue increased$15.1 million, primarily due to an increase in advisory fees and commissions paid to our financial advisors, which fluctuated in proportionprofessionals associated with incremental Wealth Management revenues. Payout ratios for the same period also increased due to the changenumber of financial professionals earning higher payout levels, the exit of lower producing financial professionals who were concentrated at lower payout levels, and the alignment of our payout grids. Higher payout ratios are expected to continue in underlying commissionthe near term as we continue to grow and advisory revenues earned on client accounts,scale our business. Furthermore, the Tax Software business had increased personnel costs and higher stock-based compensation costs relateddepreciation of capitalized software during such period. Continued investments in internally developed software for the Tax Software segment are expected to grants to certain HD Vest financial advisors.result in increased depreciation in future periods.
Tax preparation services cost of revenue increased primarily due to an increase in data center costs related to software support and maintenance fees.
Amortization of acquired technology decreased due to amortization expense associated with concluding the useful life of certain TaxAct acquisition-related intangible assets during 2016.
Engineering and Technology
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Engineering and technology$8,504 $7,128 $1,376 19.3 %
Percentage of revenue2.8 %2.6 %
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Engineering and technology$5,051
 $4,588
 $463
 $14,041
 $12,842
 $1,199
Percentage of revenue6% 6%   3% 3%  
Engineering and technology expenses are associated with the research, development, support, and ongoing enhancements of our offerings, which include personnel expenses, (salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), the cost of temporary help and contractors, software support and maintenance, bandwidth and hosting, and professional services fees.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
Engineering and technology expenses were comparabledo not include the costs of computer hardware and software that are capitalized, depreciated over their useful lives, and recognized on the consolidated statements of operations as either “Cost of Revenue” or “Depreciation.” For more information, see the “Cost of Revenue” and “Depreciation and Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets” sections contained within this discussion of “Operating Expenses.”
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the prior period.

Ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
EngineeringMarch 31, 2021, engineering and technology expenses increased $1.4 million primarily due to an increaseincreases in professional services fees mostly related topersonnel expenses in our Tax Preparation development projects.Software segment.
Sales and Marketing
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30,
Nine months ended September 30,
 2017
2016
Change
2017
2016
Change
Sales and marketing$13,680

$11,965

$1,715

$84,974

$75,715

$9,259
Percentage of revenue15%
14%


21%
21%


($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Sales and marketing$84,403 $77,562 $6,841 8.8 %
Percentage of revenue27.4 %27.9 %
Sales and marketing expenses primarily consist principally of marketing expenses associated with our Tax Software business (including expenses related to marketing agencies and media companies) and our Wealth Management business, personnel expenses, (salaries, stock-based compensation benefits, and other employee-related costs) andpaid to Avantax Planning Partners in-house/employee financial professionals, the cost of temporary help and contractors, for those engaged in marketing, selling, and sales support operations activities, marketing expenses associated with our HD Vest and TaxAct businesses (which primarily include television, radio, online, text, email, and sponsorship channels), and back officeback-office processing support expenses associated withfor our HD Vest business (occupancy and general office expenses, regulatory fees, and license fees).Wealth Management business.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 28


For the three months ended September 30, 2016
SalesMarch 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, sales and marketing expenses increased $6.8 million primarily due to a $0.6 million increase in marketing expenses and a $1.0$3.6 million increase in personnel expenses. The increase in marketing expenses was driven by increased marketing and software support in our Tax Preparation business. Personnel expenses increased primarily in our Wealth Management business due to higher headcount.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Sales and marketing expenses increased primarily due to a $5.8 million increase in marketing expensescosts across both segments, and a $2.6 million increase in personnel expenses. The increase instrategic advertising and marketing expenses was driven by increased marketingcosts in our Tax PreparationSoftware business. Personnel expenses increased primarily as we continue to standardize employee benefits across our businesses, and higher headcount across our businesses.
General and Administrative
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
General and administrative$29,075 $24,685 $4,390 17.8 %
Percentage of revenue9.5 %8.9 %
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
General and administrative$12,207
 $11,638
 $569
 $39,405
 $35,899
 $3,506
Percentage of revenue14% 14%   10% 10%  
General and administrative ("G&A"&A”) expenses primarily consist primarily of personnel expenses, (salaries, stock-based compensation, benefits, and other employee-related costs), the cost of temporary help and contractors, 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.
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared withFor the three months ended September 30, 2016
March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, G&A expenses increased $4.4 million primarily due to incremental personnel costs and hardware and software support and maintenance fees.
Acquisition and Integration
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Change in the fair value of HKFS Contingent Consideration$1,700 $6,300 $(4,600)(73.0)%
Professional services and other expenses(34)1,803 (1,837)(101.9)%
Total acquisition and integration$1,666 $8,103 $(6,437)(79.4)%
Percentage of revenue0.5 %2.9 %
Acquisition and integration expenses primarily relate to costs incurred for the acquisitions of Avantax Planning Partners and 1st Global and consist of employee-related expenses, professional services fees, changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, and other expenses.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, acquisition and integration expenses decreased $6.4 million, primarily due to a $0.8$4.6 million increase in personnel expenses, mainly related to Strategic Transformation Costs, offset by lower stock-based compensation due to fewer grantsdecrease in the current yearfair value adjustment recorded for the HKFS Contingent Consideration liability, and higher expense recognizeda $1.8 million decrease in the prior year related to the timing of grants.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
G&Aprofessional services and other expenses increased primarily due to a $5.6 million net increasereduction in personnel expenses, mainly related to Strategic Transformation Costs and costs associated with leadership changes at HD Vest, offset by lower stock-based compensation due to fewer grants in the current year and higher expense recognized in the prior year related to the timing of grants.integration activities.

Depreciation and Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Depreciation$867
 $968
 $(101) $2,680
 $2,906
 $(226)
Amortization of acquired intangible assets8,615
 8,297
 318
 25,192
 24,929
 263
Total$9,482
 $9,265
 $217
 $27,872
 $27,835
 $37
Percentage of revenue11% 11%   7% 8%  
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
 20222021$%
Depreciation$2,931 $2,300 $631 27.4 %
Amortization of acquired intangible assets6,631 7,175 (544)(7.6)%
Total depreciation and amortization of acquired intangible assets$9,562 $9,475 $87 0.9 %
Percentage of revenue3.1 %3.4 %
Depreciation of property, equipment, and equipmentsoftware, net includes depreciation of computer equipment and software (including internally developed software), office equipment and furniture, and leasehold improvements not recognized in cost of revenue.improvements. Amortization of acquired intangible assets primarily includes the amortization of financial professional, sponsor, and customer relationships, which are amortized over their estimated lives. Depreciation and amortization expenses were comparable to
For the prior periods.
Restructuring
(In thousands, except percentages)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Restructuring$106
 $
 $106
 $2,726
 $
 $2,726
Percentage of revenue% %   1% %  
In connection with the Strategic Transformation, including the relocation of our headquarters, we have incurred restructuring costs of approximately $6.6 million, which includes all costs associated with our non-cancelable operating lease. While the relocation and the related costs were substantially completed by June 2017, the Company expects some costs through early 2018, primarily related to employees who will continue to provide service through that time period.
See "Note 5: Restructuring" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report.
Other Loss, Net
(In thousands)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Interest income$(31) $(18) $(13) $(76) $(54) $(22)
Interest expense4,781
 7,824
 (3,043) 16,746
 25,396
 (8,650)
Amortization of debt issuance costs177
 413
 (236) 891
 1,440
 (549)
Accretion of debt discounts53
 1,099
 (1,046) 1,893
 3,599
 (1,706)
(Gain) loss on debt extinguishment183
 2,205
 (2,022) 19,764
 (641) 20,405
Other78
 (70) 148
 (69) 143
 (212)
Other loss, net$5,241
 $11,453
 $(6,212) $39,149
 $29,883
 $9,332
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
InMarch 31, 2022, compared to the second and third quarter of 2017 we had a loss on debt extinguishment related to prepayments of a portion of the credit facility entered into on May 22, 2017. In the first half of 2017, the third quarter of 2016 and the ninethree months ended September 30, 2016, we had a loss on debt extinguishment relatedMarch 31, 2021, depreciation and amortization expense did not materially change.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 29


INTEREST EXPENSE AND OTHER, NET
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,Change
20222021$%
Interest expense$7,130 $7,183 $(53)(0.7)%
Amortization of debt issuance costs389 363 26 7.2 %
Amortization of debt discount292 277 15 5.4 %
Total interest expense7,811 7,823 (12)(0.2)%
Interest income and other30 60 (30)(50.0)%
Interest expense and other, net$7,841 $7,883 $(42)(0.5)%
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the credit facility previously entered into in 2015 for the purpose of financing the HD Vest acquisition (the "TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility"). In 2016, we made prepayments on a portion of the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility, which resulted in the acceleration of a portion of the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs. In connection with the refinancing through the senior secured credit facility that was entered into in May 2017, we paid-off the remaining TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility and wrote-off the remaining unamortized debt discount and issuance costs. Consequently, the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility was terminated. For further detail, see "Note 7: Debt" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report.
The decrease inthree months ended March 31, 2021, interest expense amortization of debt issuance costs, and accretion of debt discounts primarily related to lower balances in the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility and the Convertible Senior Notes (the "Notes") due to prepaymentsother, net, did not materially change.

INCOME TAXES
on a portion of the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility in 2016 and the redemption of all of the Notes in the second quarter of 2017.
Detail on the "(gain) loss on debt extinguishment" is as follows:
(In thousands)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs on TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility (related to closure)$
 $
 $
 $9,593
 $
 $9,593
Write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs on the Notes (related to termination)
 
 
 6,715
 
 6,715
Accelerated accretion of debt discount and amortization of debt issuance costs on credit facilities (related to prepayments)183
 2,205
 (2,022) 3,456
 5,039
 (1,583)
Gain on the Notes repurchased
 
 
 
 (7,724) 7,724
Accelerated accretion of debt discount on the Notes (related to repurchase)
 
 
 
 1,628
 (1,628)
Accelerated amortization of debt issuance costs on the Notes (related to repurchase)
 
 
 
 416
 (416)
Total (gain) loss on debt extinguishment$183
 $2,205
 $(2,022) $19,764
 $(641) $20,405
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
Interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, accretion of debt discounts, and (gain) loss on debt extinguishment were affected by the same factors described above that impacted the quarterly period.
In the first quarter of 2016, we repurchased a portion of the Notes, which resulted in a net gain on debt extinguishment, consisting of a gain related to the repurchase of the Notes below par value and offset by the acceleration of a portion of the unamortized debt discount and issuance costs. In connection with the refinancing through the senior secured credit facility, we redeemed all of the Notes in the second quarter of 2017, which resulted in the write-off of the remaining unamortized debt discount and issuance costs as a loss on debt extinguishment.
Income Taxes
We recorded income tax expense of $0.2$2.6 million and $6.0$1.7 million infor the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively. IncomeThe prior period interim tax provision was prepared by applying a year-to-date effective tax rate to income before income taxes. The current period interim tax provision was prepared by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate to income before income taxes and by calculating the tax effect of discrete items recognized during the quarter (if applicable).
Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2022, and March 31, 2021 differed from taxes at the 21% statutory rates in 2017rate primarily due to the January 1, 2017 implementationrelease of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09 on stock-based compensation (see "Note 2: Summaryvaluation allowances and the effect of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report for additional information). We recorded income tax benefit of $8.5 million and income tax expense of $8.9 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Income taxes differed from taxes at the statutory rates in 2016 primarily due to the domestic manufacturing deduction, offset by non-deductible compensation and state income taxes.
Discontinued Operations, Net We maintain a valuation allowance for federal net operating loss carryforwards that we have concluded it is more likely than not that the related deferred tax benefits will not be realized. This valuation allowance does not prevent us from utilizing unexpired net operating losses to offset taxable income in future periods. The majority of Income Taxesthese net operating losses will either be utilized or expire between 2022 and 2024.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 30
(In thousands)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes$
 $(40,528) $40,528
 $
 $(57,981) $57,981

On October 14, 2015, we announced our Strategic Transformation, which included plans to divest the Search and Content and E-Commerce businesses. Our results of operations reflect the Search and Content and E-Commerce businesses as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Amounts in discontinued operations include previously unallocated


depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, income taxes, and other corporate expenses that were attributable to the Search and Content and E-Commerce businesses. We completed both divestitures in 2016--specifically, Search and Content in the third quarter of 2016 and E-Commerce in the fourth quarter of 2016. See "Note 4: Discontinued Operations" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report for additional information on discontinued operations.
NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Adjusted EBITDA:EBITDA
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc., determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the effects of stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization of acquired intangible assets, (including acquired technology), restructuring,interest expense and other, loss, net, the impact of noncontrolling interests,acquisition and integration costs, contested proxy and other legal and consulting costs, and income tax expense. Interest expense the effectsand other, net primarily consists of discontinued operations,interest expense, net. Acquisition and acquisition-related costs. Restructuringintegration costs primarily relate to the moveacquisitions of our corporate headquarters, which was announced in the fourth quarter of 2016. Acquisition-related costs include professional services feesAvantax Planning Partners and other direct transaction costs and changes in the fair value of contingent consideration liabilities related to acquired companies. The SimpleTax acquisition that was completed in 2015 included contingent consideration, for which the fair value of that liability was revalued in the second quarter of 2016. For further detail, see "Note 7: Debt" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report.1st Global.
We believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides meaningful supplemental information regarding our performance. We use this non-GAAP financial measure for internal management and compensation purposes, when publicly providing guidance on possible future results, and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is a common measure used by investors and analysts to evaluate our performance, that it provides a more complete understanding of the results of operations and trends affecting our business when viewed together with GAAP results, and that management and investors benefit from referring to this non-GAAP financial measure. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant and necessary components to the operations of our business and, therefore, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, GAAP net income (loss). Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently and, therefore, our Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
A reconciliation of our Adjusted EBITDA toGAAP net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc., which we believe to be the most comparable GAAP measure, to Adjusted EBITDA, is presented below:
Three Months Ended March 31,
($ in thousands)20222021
Net income$34,620 $27,646 
Stock-based compensation6,225 5,610 
Depreciation and amortization of acquired intangible assets11,305 10,418 
Interest expense and other, net7,841 7,883 
Acquisition and integration—Excluding change in the fair value of HKFS Contingent Consideration(34)1,803 
Acquisition and integration—Change in the fair value of HKFS Contingent Consideration1,700 6,300 
Contested proxy and other legal and consulting costs2,920 3,230 
Income tax expense2,582 1,700 
Adjusted EBITDA$67,159 $64,590 
Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) Per Share
(In thousands)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc.$(16,897) $(54,119) $16,991
 $(45,897)
Stock-based compensation3,132
 3,364
 8,434
 10,616
Depreciation and amortization of acquired intangible assets9,688
 9,483
 28,553
 29,080
Restructuring106
 
 2,726
 
Other loss, net5,241
 11,453
 39,149
 29,883
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests164
 167
 466
 426
Income tax expense (benefit)166
 (8,537) 5,952
 8,899
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 40,528
 
 57,981
Acquisition-related costs
 
 
 391
Adjusted EBITDA$1,600
 $2,339
 $102,271
 $91,379
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to an increase in segment operating loss of $1.9 million related to our Tax Preparation segment, an increase in segment operating income of $0.8 million related to our Wealth Management segment, and a $0.3 million decrease in corporate operating expenses not allocated to the segments primarily due to changes in headcount across most functions.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to increases in segment operating income of $10.4 million and $4.2 million related to our Tax Preparation and Wealth Management segments, respectively, offset by a $3.8 million increase in

corporate operating expenses not allocated to the segments primarily due to Strategic Transformation Costs and increased headcount supporting most functions, partially offset by lower stock-based compensation costs.
Non-GAAP net income (loss):We define non-GAAP net income (loss)Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) as net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc., determined in accordance with GAAP, excluding the effects of discontinued operations, stock-based compensation, amortization of acquired intangible assets, (including acquired technology), accretion of debt discountacquisition and accelerated accretion of debt discount on the Convertible Senior Notes (the "Notes"), gain on the Notes repurchased, write-off of debt discountintegration costs, contested proxy and debt issuanceother legal and consulting costs, on the Notes that were redeemed and the terminated TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility, acquisition-related costs (described further under Adjusted EBITDA above), restructuring costs (described further under Adjusted EBITDA above), the impact of noncontrolling interests, the related cash tax impact of those adjustments, and non-cash income taxes. The write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs on the terminated Notes and the closed TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility relates to the debt refinancing that occurred in the second quarter of 2017.tax (benefit) expense. We exclude the non-cash portion of income taxes because of our ability to offset a substantial portion of our cash tax liabilities by using deferred tax assets, which primarily consist of U.S. federal net operating losses. The majority of these net operating losses will expire, if unutilized,not utilized, between 20202022 and 2024.
We believe that non-GAAP net income (loss)Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss)Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) per share provide meaningful supplemental information to management, investors, and analysts regarding our performance and the valuation of our business by excluding items in the statement of operations that we do not consider part of our ongoing operations or that have not been, or are not expected to be, settled in cash. Additionally, we believe that non-GAAP net income (loss)Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and non-GAAP net income (loss)Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) per share are common measures used by investors and analysts to evaluate our performance and the valuation of our business. Non-GAAP net income (loss)Net Income (Loss) and Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) per share should be evaluated in light of our financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for or superior to, GAAP net income (loss). and GAAP net income (loss) per share. Other companies may calculate non-GAAP net incomeNon-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) per share differently, and, therefore, our non-GAAP net incomethese measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 31


A reconciliation of our non-GAAPGAAP net income to(loss) and GAAP net income attributable to Blucora, Inc.,(loss) per share, which we believe to be the most comparable GAAP measure,measures, to Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) and Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss) per share, respectively, is presented below:
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021
Net income$34,620 $27,646 
Stock-based compensation6,225 5,610 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets6,631 7,175 
Acquisition and integration—Excluding change in the fair value of HKFS Contingent Consideration(34)1,803 
Acquisition and integration—Change in the fair value of HKFS Contingent Consideration1,700 6,300 
Contested proxy and other legal and consulting costs2,920 3,230 
Cash tax impact of adjustments to GAAP net income(959)(543)
Non-cash income tax (benefit) expense1,506 (269)
Non-GAAP Net Income$52,609 $50,952 
Per diluted share:
Net income (1)
$0.70 $0.56 
Stock-based compensation0.13 0.11 
Amortization of acquired intangible assets0.13 0.15 
Acquisition and integration—Excluding change in the fair value of HKFS Contingent Consideration— 0.04 
Acquisition and integration—Change in the fair value of HKFS Contingent Consideration0.03 0.13 
Contested proxy and other legal and consulting costs0.06 0.07 
Cash tax impact of adjustments to GAAP net income(0.02)(0.01)
Non-cash income tax (benefit) expense0.03 (0.01)
Non-GAAP Net Income per share — Diluted$1.06 $1.04 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding49,747 49,097 

____________________________
(In thousands, except per share amounts)Three months ended September 30, Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc.$(16,897) $(54,119) $16,991
 $(45,897)
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 40,528
 
 57,981
Stock-based compensation3,132
 3,364
 8,434
 10,616
Amortization of acquired intangible assets8,665
 8,346
 25,337
 25,694
Impairment of goodwill and intangible assets
 
 
 
Accretion of debt discount on the Notes
 901
 1,567
 2,749
Accelerated accretion of debt discount on the Notes repurchased
 
 
 1,628
Gain on the Notes repurchased
 
 
 (7,724)
Write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs on terminated Notes
 
 6,715
 
Write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs on terminated TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility
 
 9,593
 
Acquisition-related costs
 
 
 391
Restructuring106
 
 2,726
 
Impact of noncontrolling interests164
 167
 466
 426
Cash tax impact of adjustments to GAAP net income(928) (17) (3,334) 244
Non-cash income tax (benefit) expense224
 (9,312) 6,325
 6,460
Non-GAAP net income (loss)$(5,534) $(10,142) $74,820
 $52,568
Per diluted share:       
Net income (loss) attributable to Blucora, Inc.$(0.37) $(1.30) $0.36
 $(1.08)
Discontinued operations, net of income taxes
 0.97
 
 1.37
Stock-based compensation0.07
 0.08
 0.18
 0.25
Amortization of acquired intangible assets0.20
 0.21
 0.55
 0.60
Accretion of debt discount on the Notes
 0.02
 0.03
 0.06
Accelerated accretion of debt discount on the Notes repurchased
 
 
 0.04
Gain on the Notes repurchased
 
 
 (0.18)
Write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs on terminated Notes
 
 0.14
 
Write-off of debt discount and debt issuance costs on closed TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility
 
 0.20
 
Acquisition-related costs
 
 
 0.01
Restructuring
 
 0.06
 
Impact of noncontrolling interests0.00
 0.00
 0.01
 0.01
Cash tax impact of adjustments to GAAP net income(0.02) (0.00) (0.07) 0.01
Non-cash income tax (benefit) expense0.00
 (0.22) 0.14
 0.15
Non-GAAP net income (loss)$(0.12) $(0.24) $1.60
 $1.24
Weighted average shares outstanding used in computing per diluted share amounts45,459
 41,635
 46,813
 42,329
Three months ended September 30, 2017 compared with three months ended September 30, 2016
The decrease(1)Any difference in non-GAAPthe “per diluted share” amounts between this table and the condensed consolidated statements of operations is due to using different diluted weighted average shares outstanding in the event that there is GAAP net loss was primarily due to an increase in segment operating loss of $1.9 million related to our Tax Preparation segmentbut Non-GAAP Net Income and an increase in segment operating income of $0.8 million related to our Wealth Management segment. Further contributing to the decrease in non-GAAP net loss was a $3.4 million decrease in interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, and accretion of debt discounts, primarily related to lower balances in the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility and the Notes due to pay-off of the entire TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility and redemption of all of the Notes, respectively, in the second quarter of 2017, and a $2.0 million decrease in loss on debt extinguishment related to the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility. The decreases in non-GAAP net loss were offset by a $0.3 million decrease in corporate operating expenses not allocated to the segments primarily due to changes in headcount across most functions.vice versa.
Nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared with nine months ended September 30, 2016
The increase in non-GAAP net income was primarily due to increases in segment operating income of $10.4 million and $4.2 million related to our Tax Preparation and Wealth Management segments, respectively. Further contributing to the
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 32


increase in non-GAAP net income was a $9.7 million decrease in interest expense, amortization of debt issuance costs, and accretion of debt discounts, primarily related to lower balances in the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility and the Notes due to pay-off of the entire credit facility and redemption of all of the Notes, respectively, in the second quarter of 2017, and a $2.3 million decrease in loss on debt extinguishment related to the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility. The increases in non-GAAP net income were offset by a $3.8 million increase in corporate operating expenses not allocated to the segments primarily due to Strategic Transformation Costs and increased headcount supporting most functions, partially offset by lower stock-based compensation costs, and a $0.8 million increase in taxes due to an increase in non-GAAP income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
Our principal source of liquidity is our cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments.equivalents. As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2022, we had cash and marketablecash equivalents of $144.2 million. We generally invest our excess cash in money market funds that are made up of securities issued by agencies of the U.S. government. We may invest, from time-to-time, in other vehicles, such as debt instruments issued by the U.S. federal government and its agencies, international governments, municipalities, and publicly held corporations, as well as commercial paper and insured time deposits with commercial banks. Specific holdings can vary from period to period depending upon our cash requirements. Our financial instrument investments of approximately $78.6 million, consisting entirely of cashheld at March 31, 2022 had minimal default risk and cash equivalents. short-term maturities.
Our HD VestAvantax Wealth Management broker-dealer subsidiary operates in a highly regulated industry and is subject to various regulatory capital requirements. Failure to meet minimum capital requirements can initiate certain mandatory and possible additional discretionary actions by regulators that, if undertaken, could have substantial monetary and non-monetary impacts to HD Vest'son Avantax Wealth Management operations. As of September 30, 2017, HD VestMarch 31, 2022, Avantax Wealth Management met all capital adequacy requirements to which it was subject.
We generally invest our excess cash in high quality marketable investments. These investments 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 our cash requirements. Our financial instrument investments held at September 30, 2017 had minimal default risk and short-term maturities.
WeHistorically, we have financed our operations primarily from cash provided by operating activities. Accordingly, we believe that theactivities and access to credit markets. Our historical uses of cash generated fromhave been funding our operations, servicing our debt obligations, capital expenditures, acquisitions that enhance our strategic position, financial professional loans, contingent consideration associated with our acquisitions, and share repurchases under share repurchase programs. For at least the next twelve months, we plan to finance these cash needs and our regulatory capital requirements at our broker-dealer subsidiary largely through our cash and cash equivalents we have on hand will be sufficientand cash provided by operating activities. Execution of our growth strategies in our Wealth Management business through strategic asset acquisitions is expected to meet our operating, workingremain a capital and capital expenditure requirements for at leastallocation priority during the next 12twelve months. However, the underlying levels of revenues and expenses that we project may not prove to be accurate. For further discussionaccurate, and, from time to time, we may make a determination to draw on the Revolver (as defined below) or increase the principal amount of the risks to our business related to liquidity, see the Risk Factor "Existing cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and cash generated from operations may not be sufficientTerm Loan (as defined below) to meet our anticipatedcapital requirements, subject to customary terms and conditions. Our future investments in our business through capital expenditures or acquisitions, or our return of capital to stockholders through stock repurchases, will be determined after considering the best interests of our stockholders.
Since our results of operations are sensitive to various factors, including, among others, the level of competition we face, regulatory and legal impacts, and political and economic conditions, such factors could adversely affect our liquidity and capital resources. In addition, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have experienced and may continue to experience near- to mid-term volatility in our results of operations that could further increase our liquidity needs. Due to this volatility, we have taken several measures to ensure proper liquidity levels and are maintaining flexibility in our cash needs for servicing debt,flows. In July 2020, we increased the principal outstanding under our Term Loan to fund the acquisition of Avantax Planning Partners and provide additional working capital flexibility. In addition, in April 2021, we increased the amount available for borrowings under the Revolver from $65.0 million to $90.0 million. Overall, we believe these measures provide us with the capital flexibility to satisfy our obligations, fund our operations, and capital expenditures" in Part II Item 8 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Use of Cash
We may use our cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments balance in the future on investmentinvest in our current businesses, for repayment of debt, for acquiring companies or assets that complement our Wealth Management and Tax Preparation businesses, or for returning capital to shareholders.business.
OnIndebtedness
In May 22, 2017, we entered into ana credit agreement (as the same has been amended, the “Credit Agreement”) with a syndicate of lenders that provides for a new senior securedterm loan facility (the “Term Loan”) and a revolving line of credit facility for the purposes of refinancing the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility, redeeming the Notes, and providing future working capital and capital expenditure flexibility. Consequently, the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility was repaid in full and the commitments under the TaxAct - HD Vest revolving credit facility were terminated. The Blucora senior secured credit facility consists of a committed $50.0 million revolving credit loan, which includes(including a letter of credit sub-facility,sub-facility) (the “Revolver”) for working capital, capital expenditures, and general business purposes (as amended, the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”). The Term Loan has a $375.0maturity date of May 22, 2024 (the “Term Loan Maturity Date”).
On April 26, 2021, to ensure adequate liquidity and flexibility to support growth, we entered into Amendment No. 5 to the Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement Amendment”). Pursuant to the Credit Agreement Amendment, the Credit Agreement was amended to, among other things, refinance the existing $65.0 million term loanRevolver and add $25.0 million of additional revolving credit commitments, for an aggregate $425.0principal amount of $90.0 million in revolving credit facility.commitments (the “New Revolver”). The finalNew Revolver has a maturity datesdate of February 21, 2024 (the “New Revolver Maturity Date”).
As of March 31, 2022, we had $560.9 million in principal amount outstanding under the Term Loan and no amounts outstanding under the New Revolver. Based on aggregate loan commitments as of March 31, 2022, approximately $90.0 million was available for future borrowing at March 31, 2022 under the Senior Secured Credit
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 33


Facility, subject to customary terms and conditions. In addition, the Company is required to make principal amortization payments on the Term Loan quarterly on the last business day of each March, June, September, and December, in an amount equal to approximately $0.5 million (subject to reduction for prepayments), with the remaining principal amount of the revolving credit loan and term loan are May 22, 2022 and May 22, 2024, respectively. Term Loan due on the Term Loan Maturity Date.
The interest ratesrate on the revolving credit loanTerm Loan is variable at the London Interbank Offered Rate (subject to a floor of 1.0%), plus the applicable interest rate margin of 4.0% for Eurodollar Rate Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement) and term loan3.0% for ABR Loans (as defined in the Credit Agreement). As of March 31, 2022, the applicable interest rate on the Term Loan was 5.0%. Depending on the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the applicable interest rate margin on the New Revolver ranges from 2.0% to 2.5% for Eurodollar Rate Loans and 1.0% to 1.5% for ABR Loans. The Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn commitment under the New Revolver in a percentage that is dependent on the Consolidated First Lien Net Leverage Ratio that ranges from 0.35% to 0.4%. Interest is payable at the end of each interest period, typically quarterly.
By June 2023, all U.S. Dollar London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) tenors will cease to be published and floating rate instruments that used U.S. Dollar LIBOR will need to shift to a substitute base index. To minimize disruption arising from such transition, the market has begun to shift to alternative fallback rates, such as Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as a replacement benchmark for floating rate LIBOR based loans. Unless (i) such LIBOR tenors cease to be provided at an earlier date or (ii) we and the administrative agent to the Credit Agreement make an “early opt-in election” to replace the rate prior to cessation of LIBOR in accordance with the Credit Agreement, we will continue to have the option under the Credit Agreement to make drawdowns using 1-Day, 1-Month, 3-Month, and 6-Month tenor U.S. Dollar LIBOR until June 2023. The Credit Agreement Amendment provides for a process for transition to a fallback rate consistent with industry practice and permits the administrative agent to the Credit Agreement to apply certain updates to the Credit Agreement to effectuate the fallback rate, including a spread adjustment based on the historical basis between LIBOR and the fallback rate.
Obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are variable.guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries and secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries (including certain subsidiaries acquired in the acquisition of Avantax Planning Partners and certain other material subsidiaries). The credit facilitySenior Secured Credit Facility includes financial and operating covenants with respect to certain ratios, including(including a net leverage ratio,Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio), which are defined furtherset forth in detail in the credit facility agreement. We wereCredit Agreement.
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement Amendment, if the Company’s usage of the New Revolver exceeds 30% of the aggregate commitments under the New Revolver on the last day of any calendar quarter, the Company shall not permit the Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) to exceed (i) 4.75 to 1.00 for the period beginning on April 1, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2021, (ii) 4.25 to 1.00 for the period beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on September 30, 2022, (iii) 4.00 to 1.00 for the period beginning on October 1, 2022 and ending on December 31, 2022, and (iv) 3.50 to 1.00 for the period beginning on January 1, 2023 and ending on the New Revolver Maturity Date.
Except as described above, the New Revolver has substantially the same terms as the previous Revolver, including certain covenants and events of default. The Company was in compliance with thesethe debt covenants of the Senior Secured Credit Facility as of September 30, 2017. We initially borrowed $375.0March 31, 2022.
For additional information on the Term Loan, the New Revolver, and the Credit Agreement, see “Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 5.”
Stock Repurchase Plan
As of December 31, 2021, we had $100.0 million authorized under our stock repurchase plan. Pursuant to the stock repurchase plan, share repurchases may be made through a variety of methods, including open market or privately negotiated transactions. The timing and number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. Our repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any specific number of shares, may be suspended or discontinued at any time, and does not have a specified expiration date. Any repurchases of our stock pursuant to the stock repurchase plan may materially reduce the amount of cash we have available and may not materially enhance the long-term value of our business or our stock.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, we repurchased approximately 1.6 million shares of our common stock under the term loan. Through the third quarterstock repurchase plan for an aggregate purchase price of 2017, we have made prepayments of $25.0 million million towards the term loan. We have not borrowed any amountsapproximately $30.5 million. The
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 34


remaining authorized amount under the revolving credit loan.stock repurchase plan as of March 31, 2022, was approximately $69.5 million. For further detail, see "Note 7: Debt"the three months ended March 31, 2021, we did not repurchase any shares of our common stock under the Notesstock repurchase plan.
Subsequent to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1March 31, 2022, and through the date of this report.
Relatedfiling, we repurchased an additional 0.2 million shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase plan for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $4.5 million. Subject to the TaxAct - HD Vest 2015 credit facility, we had repayment activityterms of $64.0 million and $105.0 million duringour Credit Agreement, a portion of our future capital requirements over the ninenext twelve months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Related to the Notes, we repurchased $28.4 million of the Notes' for cash of $20.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016. For further detail, see "Note 7: Debt" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 ofmay encompass share repurchases under this report.


On July 2, 2015, TaxAct acquired SimpleTax, which included additional consideration of up to C$4.6 million (with C$ indicating Canadian dollars and amounting to approximately $3.7 million based on the acquisition-date exchange rate). The related payments are contingent upon product availability and revenue performance over a three-year period and are expected to occur annually over that period. The first payment was made in the first quarter of 2017, and the remaining payments of $2.7 million are expected through 2019. For further detail, see "Note 6: Fair Value Measurements" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report.

plan.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments

On July 1, 2020, we closed the acquisition of Avantax Planning Partners, formerly “HKFS”, for an upfront cash purchase price of $104.4 million. The purchase price was subject to variable contingent consideration, or earn-out payments (the “HKFS Contingent Consideration”), totaling a maximum of $60.0 million.
The material events during 2017, outsideHKFS Contingent Consideration to be paid is determined based on advisory asset levels and the achievement of certain performance goals (i) for the ordinary courseperiod beginning July 1, 2020 and ending June 30, 2021 and (ii) for the period beginning July 1, 2021 and ending June 30, 2022. Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of our business, include debt activityJanuary 6, 2020, by and among the Company, HKFS, the selling stockholders named therein (the “Sellers”), and JRD Seller Representative, LLC, as the Sellers’ representative (as discussed further in "Note 7: Debt"amended on April 7, 2020, June 30, 2020, and June 29, 2021) (the “HKFS Purchase Agreement”), the maximum aggregate amount that we would be required to pay for each earn-out period is $30.0 million. If the asset market values on the applicable measurement date fall below certain specified thresholds, no payment of a portion of the acquisition-related contingent consideration liability (as discussed further in "Note 6: Fair Value Measurements"), estimated sublease income of $3.8 million primarily relatedis owed to the sublease agreementSellers for such period.
Based on advisory asset levels and the achievement of performance goals for the Bellevue facility (as discussed furtherfirst earn-out period specified in "Note 5: Restructuring"), purchase commitments with a vendor to provide cloud computation services of $11.3the HKFS Purchase Agreement, we paid the full $30.0 million over the next four years, and a commitment to switch to a new clearing firm provider that has been selected by the Company byin the third quarter of 2018. Additional information2021. The estimated fair value of the HKFS Contingent Consideration liability for the second earn-out period was $30.0 million as of March 31, 2022 and is included within “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We expect to pay the full $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2022.
In addition, the Company has entered into several asset purchase agreements that are accounted for as asset acquisitions. These acquisitions may include up-front cash consideration, fixed deferred cash consideration, and contingent consideration arrangements. Future fixed payments are recognized as customer relationship intangible assets on the date of acquisition. Contingent consideration arrangements encompass obligations to make future payments to sellers contingent upon the achievement of future financial targets. These contingent payments are not recognized until all contingencies are resolved and the consideration is paid. As of March 31, 2022, the maximum future fixed and contingent payments associated with these asset acquisitions was $17.0 million, with specified payment dates from 2022 through 2026.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 35


Cash Flows
Our cash flows were comprised of the following (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021$ Change
Net cash provided by operating activities$47,343 $53,722 $(6,379)
Net cash used by investing activities(5,482)(9,185)3,703 
Net cash used by financing activities(32,463)(1,255)(31,208)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$9,398 $43,282 $(33,884)
Net Cash from Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities consists of net income, offset by certain non-cash adjustments, and changes in operating assets and liabilities, which were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021$ Change
Net income$34,620 $27,646 $6,974 
Non-cash adjustments to net income21,235 23,704 (2,469)
Operating cash flows before changes in operating assets and liabilities55,855 51,350 4,505 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and disposals(8,512)2,372 (10,884)
Net cash provided by operating activities$47,343 $53,722 $(6,379)
Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2022, included $55.9 million of operating cash flows before changes in operating assets and liabilities and $8.5 million of changes in operating assets and liabilities. Non-cash adjustments to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 primarily related to depreciation and amortization costs of $11.3 million, stock-based compensation of $6.2 million, and changes in the fair value of the HKFS Contingent Consideration liability of $1.7 million. As compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions, reduced operating cash flows by $10.9 million primarily due to the timing of settlement for our working capital accounts, and $3.5 million in payments made to financial professionals in support of ongoing growth programs.
Net Cash from Investing Activities
Net cash used by investing activities consists of acquisitions and purchases of property, equipment, and software, and were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021$ Change
Purchases of property, equipment, and software$(4,731)$(8,598)$3,867 
Asset acquisitions(751)(587)(164)
Net cash used by investing activities$(5,482)$(9,185)$3,703 
For the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, net cash used by investing activities decreased $3.7 million primarily due to reduced internally developed software capital expenditures.
Net Cash from Financing Activities
Net cash from financing activities primarily consists of debt issuance and repayments, common stock and stock-based awards transactions, and acquisition-related contingent consideration payments. Financing cash flows were as follows (in thousands):
Three Months Ended March 31,
 20222021$ Change
Payments on credit facilities$(453)$(453)$— 
Stock repurchases(30,537)— (30,537)
Proceeds from stock option exercises96 63 33 
Tax payments from shares withheld for equity awards(1,569)(865)(704)
Net cash used by financing activities$(32,463)$(1,255)$(31,208)
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 36


For the three months ended March 31, 2022, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2021, we used $31.2 million more cash for financing activities, primarily due to the repurchase of approximately 1.6 million shares of our common stock under the stock repurchase plan for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $30.5 million.
Critical Accounting Estimates
This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the disclosures included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and disclosure of contingencies. In some cases, we could have reasonably used different accounting policies and estimates.
We have identified certain accounting estimates which involve a significant level of estimation uncertainty and have had or are reasonably likely to have a material impact on our Commitmentsfinancial condition or results of operations. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the estimates used. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions, and Contingencies canon various other assumptions that we believe to be foundreasonable under the circumstances and, based on information available to us at that time, we make judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources, as well as identify and assess our accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions, judgments, or conditions. The critical accounting estimates which we believe to be the most critical in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements involve business combinations, goodwill impairment, and income taxes. We continually update and assess the facts, circumstances, and assumptions used in making both our critical accounting estimates and judgments related to our other significant accounting matters.
There have been no material changes in our critical accounting policies as disclosed under “Critical Accounting Estimates” in Part II, Item 7 and in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2021.
Off-balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements other than operating leases.
Cash Flows
Our cash flows were comprised of the following:
(In thousands)Nine months ended September 30,
 2017 2016
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations$79,230
 $88,537
Net cash provided by investing activities from continuing operations3,283
 2,225
Net cash used by financing activities from continuing operations(58,649) (124,571)
Net cash provided (used) by continuing operations23,864
 (33,809)
Net cash provided by discontinued operations1,028
 46,589
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash86
 (15)
Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash$24,978
 $12,765
Net cash from the operating activities of continuing operations: Net cash from the operating activities of continuing operations consists of income from continuing operations, offset by certain non-cash adjustments, and changes in our working capital.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $79.2 million and $88.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The activity in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 included a $1.2 million working capital contribution and approximately $78.0 million of income from continuing operations (offset by non-cash adjustments). The working capital contribution primarily related to the impact of TaxAct's seasonality, HD Vest 2016 prepayments, recognition of deferred revenues in our Tax Preparation segment and restructuring activities.
The activity in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 included a $43.8 million working capital contribution and approximately $44.7 million of income from continuing operations (offset by non-cash adjustments). The working capital contribution was driven by accrued expenses and the impact of excess tax benefits from stock-based activity primarily due to utilizing net operating loss carryforwards from prior years. In addition, in connection with the acquisition of HD Vest, we had placed into escrow $20.0 million of additional consideration that was contingent upon HD Vest's 2015 earnings performance, and that amount was returned to us in the first quarter of 2016 since it was not achieved (see "Note 3: Business Combinations" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report for additional information).
Net cash from the investing activities of continuing operations: Net cash from the investing activities of continuing operations primarily consists of cash outlays for business acquisitions, transactions (purchases of and proceeds from sales and

maturities) related to our investments, and purchases of property and equipment. Our investing activities can fluctuate from period-to-period primarily based upon the level of acquisition activity.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and net cash from investing activities was $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The activity in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily consisted of net cash inflows on our available-for-sale investments of $7.1 million offset by approximately $3.8 million in purchases of property and equipment. The activity in the nine months ended September 30, 2016 consisted of a $1.8 million final working capital adjustment on the HD Vest acquisition and $2.6 million in purchases of property and equipment, offset by net cash inflows on our available-for-sale investments of $6.7 million.
Net cash from the financing activities of continuing operations: Net cash from the financing activities of continuing operations primarily consists of transactions related to the issuance of debt and stock. Our financing activities can fluctuate from period-to-period based upon our financing needs and market conditions that present favorable financing opportunities.
Net cash used by financing activities was $58.6 million and $124.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily consisted of payments of $285.0 million in connection with the termination of the TaxAct - HD Vest credit facility, $172.8 million for redemption in full of the outstanding Notes, $6.7 million in tax payments from shares withheld for equity awards, and $0.9 million in contingent consideration paid related to the 2015 acquisition of SimpleTax. These cash outflows were offset by approximately $367.2 million in proceeds from the senior secured credit facility that was entered into in May 2017 and $39.7 million in combined proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to stock option exercises and the employee stock purchase plan.
The activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 primarily consisted of payments of $105.0 million on the TaxAct - HD Vest credit facility, the $20.7 million repurchase of the Notes, and $1.4 million in tax payments from shares withheld for equity awards. These cash outflows were offset by approximately $2.5 million in combined proceeds from the issuance of common stock related to stock option exercises and the employee stock purchase plan.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting policies, estimates, and methodologies for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 are consistent with those in Part II Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See "Note 2: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There have been no material changes to ourthe financial instruments for which we are exposed to market risk, as disclosed within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017, other than related to borrowingsMarch 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022, we had $560.9 million in principal amount of debt outstanding under the senior secured credit facility entered intoTerm Loan of our Senior Secured Credit Facility, which carries a degree of interest rate risk. This debt has a floating rate portion of its interest rate tied to LIBOR. For further information on May 22, 2017. We borrowed $375.0 millionour outstanding debt, see “Item 1. Financial Statements—Note 5” and the section “Liquidity and Capital Resources” of“Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” under the term loan when we entered into the senior secured credit facility, and the interest rate on the term loan is variable at the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR"), subject to a floor of 1.00%, plus a margin of 3.75%.subheading “Indebtedness.” A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in LIBOR on March 31, 2022 would result in a $3.5$12.3 million increase based upon our September 30, 2017 principal amount, in our annual interest expense until the scheduled maturity date in 2024. For additional information, see Part II, Item 7A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2021.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated (pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2022. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) were effective as of September 30, 2017.March 31, 2022.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There waswere no change inchanges to our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2017three months ended March 31, 2022 that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 37


PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
See "Note 9: Commitments and Contingencies" of the Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated“Item 1. Financial Statements in Part I Item 1 of this report.Statements—Note 9” for information regarding legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Refer toOur business and future results may be affected by a number of risks and uncertainties that should be considered carefully. In addition, this Form 10-Q also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors, including the risks described in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a discussion of risk factors relating to2021 and the Company’s business. The Company believesrisks set forth below.
We believe that there hashave been no material changechanges in itsour risk factors as previously disclosed in theour Annual Report on Form 10-K other than as follows:
Increased government regulation of our business may harm our operating results.

We are subject to federal, state, and local laws and regulations that affect our activities, including, without limitation, areas of labor, advertising, tax, financial services, data privacy and security requirements, digital content, consumer protection, real estate, billing, promotions, quality of services, intellectual property ownership and infringement, anti-corruption, foreign exchange controls and cash repatriation restrictions, anti-competition, environmental, health, and safety. There have been significant new regulations and heightened focus by the government on many of these areas, as well as in areas such as insurance and healthcare (including, for example, the Affordable Care Act). As we complete our Strategic Transformation and expand our products and services and revise our business models, we may become subject to additional government regulation or increased regulatory scrutiny. Regulators may adopt new laws or regulations or their interpretation of existing laws or regulations may differ from ours as well as the laws of other jurisdictions in which we operate. The Trump Administration has called for a broad review of, and potentially significant changes to, U.S. fiscal and tax laws and regulations. These changes may include comprehensive tax reform as well as the rolling back or repeal of various financial regulations, including the Department of Labor (the "DOL") fiduciary rule (the "Fiduciary Rule") and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the "Dodd-Frank Act"). We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be issued, nor is the impact of such changes on our Tax Preparation or Wealth Management businesses clear. It is possible that some policies adopted by the Trump administration will negatively affect us.

These regulatory requirements could impose significant limitations, require changes to our business, require notification to customers, clients, or employees of a security breach, restrict our use of personal information, or cause changes in customer purchasing behavior that may make our business more costly, less efficient, or impossible to conduct, and may require us to modify our current or future products or services, which may materially harm our future financial results.

The tax preparation industry continues to receive heightened attention from federal and state governments. New legislation, regulation, public policy considerations, changes in the cybersecurity environment, litigation by the government or private entities, or new interpretations of existing laws may result in greater oversight of the tax preparation industry, restrict the types of products and services that we can offer or the prices we can charge, or otherwise cause us to change the way we operate our Tax Preparation business or offer our tax preparation products and services. We may not be able to respond quickly to such regulatory, legislative and other developments, and these changes may in turn increase our cost of doing business and limit our revenue opportunities. In addition, if our practices are not consistent with new interpretations of existing laws, we may become subject to lawsuits, penalties, and other liabilities that did not previously apply. We are also required to comply with a variety of state revenue agency standards in order to successfully operate our tax preparation and electronic filing

services. Changes in state-imposed requirements by one or more of the states, including the required use of specific technologies or technology standards, may significantly increase the costs of providing those services to our customers and may prevent us from delivering a quality product to our customers in a timely manner and at an acceptable price.

Our Wealth Management business is subject to certain additional financial industry regulations and supervision, including by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the DOL, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, state securities and insurance regulators, and other regulatory authorities. Our failure to comply with the laws, rules, and regulations promulgated by federal regulatory bodies and the regulatory authorities in each of the states and other jurisdictions in which we do business could result in the restriction of the ongoing conduct or growth, or even liquidation of, parts of our business and otherwise materially impact our financial condition, results of operations, and liquidity. These regulatory authorities continuously review legislative and regulatory initiatives and may adopt new or revised laws, regulations, or interpretations, and there can also be no assurance that other federal or state agencies will not attempt to further regulate our business. The Dodd-Frank Act, enacted into law in 2010, called for sweeping changes in the supervision and regulations of the wealth management industry. Regulators implementing the Dodd-Frank Act have adopted, proposed to adopt, and may in the future adopt regulations that could impact the manner in which we will market HD Vest products and services, manage HD Vest operations, and interact with regulators. As noted above, the Trump Administration has called for a broad review of, and potentially significant changes to, U.S. fiscal laws and regulations which may include the rolling back or even repeal of certain financial regulations, including but not limited to the Dodd-Frank Act. If such changes are enacted, they could have a negative impact on our business.

In April 2016, the DOL published the Fiduciary Rule and two new administrative class exemptions from the prohibited transaction exemptions, as well as amendments to previously granted exemptions under Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), which redefines the term "fiduciary" and who may be considered a fiduciary under ERISA, i.e., financial institutions and financial advisors, and specifies how such fiduciaries must provide investment advice to individual retirement accounts or other accounts, the assets of which are subject to section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code (collectively, the "Covered Accounts"). Over the past several quarters, Covered Accounts made up approximately half of HD Vest's assets under administration. The new Fiduciary Rule focuses on conflicts of interest related to investment recommendations made by financial institutions and financial advisors to clients holding Covered Accounts. The rules bring virtually all of the investment products and services HD Vest currently provides to Covered Account owners within the scope of ERISA.

On February 3, 2017, President Trump issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Labor to prepare an updated analysis of the likely impact of the Fiduciary Rule on investors’ access to retirement information and financial advice. As a result of the President’s memorandum, the DOL issued a final rule extending the applicability date of the Fiduciary Rule by 60 days, from April 10, 2017 to June 9, 2017, and requiring investment advice fiduciaries relying on certain prohibited transaction exemptions to adhere only to the Impartial Conduct Standards as conditions of those exemptions during a transition period from June 9, 2017 to January 1, 2018 (the "Transition Period").

On May 22, 2017, the DOL issued a temporary enforcement policy covering the Transition Period, during which the DOL will not pursue claims against investment advice fiduciaries who are working diligently and in good faith to comply with their fiduciary duties and to meet the conditions of the prohibited transaction exemptions, or otherwise treat investment advice fiduciaries as being in violation of their fiduciary duties. The Treasury Department and IRS confirmed a similar enforcement policy covering excise taxes and related reporting obligations with respect to transactions covered by the DOL’s enforcement policy.

On August 31, 2017, the DOL issued a proposed rule to delay the effective date of the Fiduciary Rule’s transaction exemptions to July 1, 2019. The purpose of the proposed delay is to permit the DOL to complete the analysis required by the President’s memorandum. The comment period for the proposed rule closed on September 15, 2017 but the DOL had not issued a final rule as of the date of this report. In the proposed rule, the DOL solicited comments on whether this delay should be extended beyond July 1, 2019 or made contingent upon other events, such as the conclusion of any additional substantive rulemaking affecting the Fiduciary Rule or the transaction exemptions. The proposed rule would also extend the Transition Period, and continue the DOL’s previously announced temporary enforcement policy, through the pendency of any delay. The DOL also solicited comments about whether application of the enforcement policy should be made contingent on any particular factors, such as a firm’s continued good faith efforts to comply with the Fiduciary Rule. We cannot predict what the DOL’s final rule will provide on these matters.year ended December 31, 2021.

The Fiduciary Rule, should it remain unchanged, will require HD Vest to either: (1) subject Covered Accounts to a level fee arrangement under which (a) the firm and affiliates receive a fee based on a fixed percentage of the value of assets in the account and (b) no ERISA prohibited transactions are otherwise implicated; or (2) comply with one of the DOL prohibited

transaction exemptions that impose significant new and additional compliance and disclosure requirements, and restrict the manner in which HD Vest can earn revenue and pay its financial advisors.

Accordingly, it is uncertain whether the Fiduciary Rule will become applicable, when it will be applicable, and what form any final rule might take after the required review is completed. If the Fiduciary Rule is applied in its current form, it will impact how HD Vest (i) designs investment products and services for Covered Accounts, (ii) receives fees, (iii) compensates its financial advisors, and (iv) recruits and retains financial advisors. Additionally, the Fiduciary Rule will require HD Vest to change systems and implement new compliance programs and client disclosures. In addition, if HD Vest relies on the new Best Interest Contract prohibited transaction exemption, the firm will be required to adopt new "impartial conduct" policies and procedures and make contractual representations and warranties to clients that HD Vest will comply with such policies and procedures and abide by fiduciary standards. These requirements, coupled with ambiguity inherent in the Fiduciary Rule, will likely lead to increased regulatory scrutiny and litigation related to the provision of investment advice to Covered Accounts and ERISA investors. Our management has devoted and, if the Fiduciary Rule is applied in its current form, expects to continue to devote substantial time and resources to assess the new rule, implement required policies and procedures, and develop and execute a business strategy in light of the rule, diminishing the firm’s ability to focus on other initiatives. Depending on the scope of required changes, if HD Vest is not able to complete necessary modifications to its business practices and operational systems by the applicability date, its ability to process business for Covered Accounts will be negatively impacted. As a result, the Fiduciary Rule and related litigation and regulatory scrutiny could materially and adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, investigations, claims, or other actions or proceedings by regulators or third-parties with respect to our compliance with the Fiduciary Rule may also have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and interpretations is largely dependent on our establishment and maintenance of compliance, audit, and reporting systems and procedures, as well as our ability to attract and retain qualified compliance, audit, and risk management personnel. While we have adopted systems, policies, and procedures reasonably designed to comply or facilitate compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and interpretations, these systems, policies, and procedures may not be fully effective. There can be no assurance that we will not be subject to investigations, claims, or other actions or proceedings by regulators or third-parties with respect to our past or future compliance with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, the outcome of which may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

HD Vest distributes its products and services through financial advisors who affiliate with the firm as independent contractors. There can be no assurance that legislative, judicial, or regulatory (including tax) authorities will not introduce proposals or assert interpretations of existing rules and regulations that would change, or at least challenge, the classification of our financial advisors as independent contractors. Although we believe we have properly classified our advisors as independent contractors, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service or other U.S. federal or state authorities or similar authorities may determine that we have misclassified our advisors as independent contractors for employment tax or other purposes and, as a result, seek additional taxes from us or attempt to impose fines and penalties, which could have a material adverse effect on our business model, financial condition, and results of operations.
Risks Related to our Financing Arrangements
We incurred debt in connection with the repayment of our credit facility used for the acquisition of HD Vest and the redemption of our convertible senior notes and may incur future debt, which may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and future financial results.
On May 22, 2017, we borrowed $375.0 million in the form of a term loan under a Credit Agreement to which we, and most of our direct and indirect domestic subsidiaries (in their capacity as guarantors), are parties. The final maturity date of the term loan is May 22, 2024. The proceeds of the term loan were used to repay in full the credit facility used for the acquisition of HD Vest and to redeem in full our convertible senior notes. We may also borrow an additional amount under this Credit Agreement of up to $50.0 million under a revolving credit arrangement.
This borrowing may materially and adversely affect our financial condition and future financial results by, among other things:

increasing our vulnerability to downturns in our businesses, to competitive pressures, and to adverse economic and industry conditions;

requiring the dedication of a portion of our expected cash from operations to service the indebtedness, thereby reducing the amount of expected cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures and complementary acquisitions;
increasing our interest payment obligations in the event that interest rates rise; and
limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our businesses and our industries.
Our Credit Agreement imposes restrictions on us, including restrictions on our ability to create liens, incur indebtedness and make investments. In addition, our Credit Agreement includes covenants, the breach of which may cause the outstanding indebtedness to be declared immediately due and payable. This borrowing, and our ability to repay it, may also negatively impact our ability to obtain additional financing in the future and may affect the terms of any such financing.
In addition, we or our subsidiaries, may incur additional debt in the future. Any additional debt may result in risks similar to those discussed above or in other risks specific to the credit agreements entered into for those debts.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.The Company has a stock repurchase plan pursuant to which we may repurchase our common stock through a variety of methods, including open market or privately negotiated transactions. As of March 31, 2022, the remaining authorized repurchases under the stock repurchase plan was $69.5 million.
The following table details our repurchases of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2022 (in thousands, except the average price paid per share data):
PeriodTotal Number of Shares PurchasedAverage Price Paid per ShareTotal Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or ProgramsMaximum Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased under the Plans or Programs
January 1-31, 2022190 $15.73 190 $97,007 
February 1-28, 2022524 $18.12 524 $87,510 
March 1-31, 2022931 $19.39 931 $69,463 
Total1,645 $18.56 1,645 
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
The Company moved its headquarters movedAmendment to Irving, Texas from Bellevue, WashingtonExecutive Change of Control Severance Plan
We previously adopted the Blucora, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan (the “Plan”) pursuant to which we may provide severance benefits to designated executive-level employees who experience a “Qualifying Termination” under the Plan within 24 months following a “Change of Control” (as defined in June 2017, and Eric M. Emans, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, has decided notPlan) or within two months prior to relocate with the Company. Consequently, on October 23, 2017, Mr. Emans informed the Company that he intends to resign effectivea Change of Control.
Effective as of November 1, 2017. Upon his terminationMay 2, 2022, the compensation committee of employment,our board of directors adopted the First Amendment to the Blucora, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance Plan (the “First Amendment”) and designated Christopher W. Walters, our Chief Executive Officer, as a participant in the Plan. The First Amendment amended the Plan to provide that Mr. EmansWalters’ severance multiple will be 2.5 rather than the severance multiple of 2.0 applicable to the other participants in the Plan. As a result of the First Amendment, in the event of a Qualifying Termination, Mr. Walters will receive severance compensationan amount equal to 2.5 multiplied by the sum of Mr. Walters’ (A) annual base salary and (B) target annual bonus for the calendar year in accordancewhich the Qualifying Termination occurs. The First Amendment also modified the Plan provisions with his Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, which was filed as Exhibit 10.4respect to the Company’svesting of performance-based equity awards for all participants that experience a Qualifying Termination to provide that the performance conditions will be deemed
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q on October 27, 2016.38


In connection with this announcement, on October 25, 2017satisfied at the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement with Mr. Emans that will become effective on November 2, 2017. Pursuantgreater of actual performance and target for all participants as compared to the Consulting Agreement, Mr. Emans will serve asprior Plan provisions that deemed the performance conditions to be achieved at the target level in the event of a consultant to the Company to assist with the Chief Financial Officer transition and other matters that may be requested by the Company and will receive $50,500 per month through February 28, 2018 when the Consulting Agreement terminates. In addition, Mr. Emans will receive $550,000 upon termination or expiration of the Consulting Agreement. The Consulting Agreement also contains a customary confidentiality provision and customary covenants regarding non-competition, non-recruitment, non-solicitation and non-disparagement. Qualifying Termination.
The foregoing description of Mr. Emans’ Consulting Agreement does not purport to be complete andsummary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Consulting Agreement, a copy ofFirst Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.210.1 to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and is incorporated herein by reference herein.reference.
Following Mr. Emans’ notice of resignation, on October 23, 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company appointed John Palmer, the Company's Vice President - Accounting, to serve as its Principal Accounting Officer and its Principal Financial Officer, effective as of Mr. Emans’ departure from the Company on November 1, 2017 and continuing until a new Chief Financial Officer has been hired. In connection with Mr. Palmer’s appointment as Principal Accounting and Financial Officer, Mr. Palmer will receive a cash bonus of $50,000 that will be paid upon the earlier of (i) the hiring of a new Chief Financial Officer or (ii) March 31, 2018. If a new Chief Financial Officer is not hired prior to March 31, 2018, Mr. Palmer will receive an additional $10,000 per month until the new Chief Financial Officer is hired.There is no family relationship between Mr. Palmer and any director, executive officer, or person chosen by the Company to become a director or executive officer. There are no transactions to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party and in which Mr. Palmer has a direct or indirect material interest subject to disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and there are no arrangements or understandings between Mr. Palmer and any other persons pursuant to which he was selected to serve as the Company’s Principal Accounting and Financial Officer.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 39
.



Mr. Palmer, 51, has served as the Company’s Vice President - Accounting since February 2017. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Palmer served as Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Sizmek, Inc., a global technology company that provides technology-enabled advertising services, from the time it was spun-off from Digital Generation, Inc. in February 2014 until February 2017. Mr. Palmer served as Vice President and Controller at Digital Generation, Inc. from March 2003 to February 2014. Prior to that, Mr. Palmer held a variety of controller positions for technology companies, including Entrust Technologies, Inc. and Nortel Networks, Inc. He began his career working at each of KPMG and Ernst & Young.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
Exhibit DescriptionFormDate of
First Filing
Exhibit NumberFiled
Herewith
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 18, 2019, by and among 1G Acquisitions, LLC, 1st Global, Inc., 1st Global Insurance Services, Inc., the sellers named therein and joinder sellers, SAB Representative, LLC, as the sellers’ representative, and Blucora, Inc., as guarantor8-KMarch 19, 20192.1
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 6, 2020, by and among Blucora, Inc., Honkamp Krueger Financial Services, Inc., the sellers named therein, and JRD Seller Representative, LLC, as the sellers’ representative, as amended by First Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated April 7, 2020 and Second Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 30, 20208-KJuly 1, 20202.1
Third Amendment to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated June 29, 2021, by and among Spirit Acquisitions, LLC, Honkamp Krueger Financial Services, Inc., the sellers named therein, and JRD Seller Representative, LLC, as the sellers’ representative8-KJuly 2, 20212.1
First Amendment to the Blucora, Inc. Executive Change of Control Severance PlanX
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Exchange Act rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a))X
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (Exchange Act rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a))X
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. section 1350)X
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. section 1350)X
101The following financial statements from the Company's Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2022, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity; (iv) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial StatementsX
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)X
____________________________
#Schedules and exhibits have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. Blucora, Inc. hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules and exhibits upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
*The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 are not deemed filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Blucora, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing.
Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 40
Exhibit
Number
 Exhibit Description Form Date of First Filing Exhibit Number 
Filed
Herewith
10.1  8-K September 5, 2017 10.1  
10.2        X
31.1        X
31.2        X
32.1        X
32.2        X
101 The following financial statements from the Company's 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017, formatted in XBRL: (i) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (iv) Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements       X




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

BLUCORA, INC.
BLUCORA, INC.By:/s/ Marc Mehlman
By:/s/ Eric M. Emans
Eric M. Emans
Marc Mehlman
Chief Financial Officer

(On behalf of the Registrantregistrant and as
Principal Financial Officer)
Date:October 26, 2017May 4, 2022


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Blucora, Inc. | Q1 2022 Form 10-Q 41