| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include all the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of Stamps.com Inc. and the entities in which we have 100% voting and/or economic control. In August 2018, we completed our acquisition of 100% of the outstanding shares of MetaPack. Please see Note 3 - “Acquisitions” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description. References in this Report to "we" "us" "our" or "Company" are references to Stamps.com Inc. and its subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions between consolidated entities have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. There are significant estimates and judgments inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements including the fair value of assets and liabilities for allocation of the purchase price of companies acquired. Prior Period Reclassifications Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation. Accounts Receivable Our accounts receivable relate to mailing and shipping services, postage purchasing and invoicing, customized postage sales, and branded insurance provided to customers prior to billing and other receivables. Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, net of allowances for uncollectible accounts of approximately $6.9 million and $6.6 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. If we become aware of a customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, an allowance is recorded to reduce the net receivable to the amount reasonably believed to be collectible from the customer. For all other customers, we recognize allowances for doubtful accounts based on the length of time the receivables are past due, the current business environment and our historical experience. If the financial condition of our customers deteriorates, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional provisions are recorded in that period. Accounts receivable are written off against the allowance for uncollectible accounts when we determine amounts are no longer collectible. There were no material write offs against the allowance for uncollectible accounts during fiscal 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Increases in allowance for doubtful accounts totaled approximately $0.4 million and $2.6 million for 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Advertising and Trade Show Costs Advertising expense, which includes direct mail, online, radio, television, and others, is recorded in sales and marketing expense on the consolidated statements of operations. We expense the costs of producing advertisements as incurred, and expense the costs of communicating and placing the advertising in the period in which the advertising space or airtime is used. For the years ended December 31, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , advertising and trade show costs were $60.9 million , $51.6 million , and $45.0 million , respectively. Business Combinations The acquisition method of accounting is used for business combinations. The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our consolidated financial statements prospectively from the date of acquisition. The fair value of purchase consideration is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired entity and is generally based on their fair value at the acquisition date. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. Acquisition-related expenses are recognized in our consolidated financial statements as incurred. Contingencies and Litigation In the ordinary course of business, we are subject to various litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when received. We establish loss provisions for claims against us when the loss is both probable and can be reasonably estimated. If either or both of the criteria are not met, we assess whether there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss, or additional losses, may have been incurred. If there is a reasonable possibility that a loss or additional loss may have been incurred for such proceedings, we disclose the estimate of the amount of loss or possible range of loss, or disclose that an estimate of loss cannot be made, as applicable. Cash Equivalents and Investments We consider all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents consisted of money market funds at December 31, 2019 and 2018 . Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. There were no material investments at December 31, 2019 or 2018 . Realized gains and losses are reflected in interest and other income, net while unrealized gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity. Concentration of Risk Our cash and cash equivalents are potentially subject to concentration of credit risk. Cash and cash equivalents are placed with financial institutions that management believes are of high credit quality in order to mitigate this risk. From time to time, cash and cash equivalents held with financial institutions may exceed Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. Our outstanding borrowings under our Credit Agreement are subject to market risk, primarily interest rate risk. Interest rate fluctuations impact the interest expense incurred on borrowings under the Credit Agreement, as the interest rate is based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). During 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , we did not recognize revenue from any one customer that represented 10% or more of revenues. Cost of Revenue Cost of service revenue principally consists of the cost of customer service, certain promotional expenses, system operating costs, credit card processing fees, vendor costs and expenses and customer misprints that do not qualify for reimbursement from the USPS. Cost of product revenue principally consists of the cost of products sold through our supplies stores and the related costs of shipping and handling. For the periods presented prior to October 1, 2018, the cost of insurance revenue principally consists of parcel insurance offering costs through our third party insurance providers as described in the Revenue Recognition section below. Cost of customized postage revenue principally consists of the face value of postage, customer service, image review costs, and printing and fulfillment costs. Deferred Revenue Our deferred revenue relates mainly to service revenue, which generally arises due to the timing of payment versus the provision of services for certain customers billed in advance. Approximately $6.3 million of revenue recognized in the year ended December 31, 2019 was included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2018 . Approximately $2.9 million of revenue recognized in the year ended December 31, 2018 was included in the deferred revenue balance at December 31, 2017 . Fair Value of Financial Instruments Carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value due to their short maturities. The Company’s outstanding debt held by third party financial institutions is carried at cost, adjusted for debt issuance costs. The Company’s debt is not publicly traded and the carrying amount typically approximates fair value for debt that accrues interest at a variable rate for companies with similar financial characteristics as the Company, which are considered Level 2 fair value inputs as defined in Note 6 in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Foreign Currency Translation The functional currency of the Company’s major foreign subsidiaries is generally the local currency. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income as a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in foreign currency exchange gain (loss), net. All assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rate on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the average exchange rate during the period. General and Administrative General and administrative expense principally consists of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel, fees for legal and other professional services, indirect tax liabilities, depreciation of equipment and software used for general corporate purposes and amortization of intangible assets. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of the fair value of consideration given over the fair value of the tangible assets, identifiable intangible assets and liabilities assumed in a business combination. We are required to test goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying value. A reporting unit is the operating segment or a business that is one level below that operating segment. Reporting units are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually on October 1 utilizing either a qualitative assessment or a two-step process. We have an option to make a qualitative assessment of a reporting unit's goodwill for impairment. If we choose to perform a qualitative assessment and determine the fair value more likely than not exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. When we perform the two-step process, the first step requires us to compare the fair value of the reporting unit, which we primarily determine using an income approach based on the present value of discounted cash flows, to the respective carrying value, which includes goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, the goodwill is not considered impaired. If the carrying value is higher than the fair value, there is an indication that impairment may exist and the second step is required. In step two, the implied fair value of goodwill is calculated as the excess of the fair value of the reporting unit over the fair values assigned to its assets and liabilities. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill, the difference is recognized as an impairment loss. As of December 31, 2019 , we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual goodwill impairment analysis. No instances of impairment to the Company's goodwill were identified during our October 1, 2019 , October 1, 2018 , or October 1, 2017 reviews. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for impairment annually on October 1 and whenever events or circumstances indicate that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset may be below its carrying value. In assessing other intangible assets not subject to amortization for impairment, the Company also has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of such an intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then the Company is not required to perform any additional tests for assessing those intangible assets for impairment. However, if the Company concludes otherwise or elects not to perform the qualitative assessment, then it is required to perform a quantitative impairment test that involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. As of December 31, 2019 , we are not aware of any indicators of impairment that would require an impairment analysis other than our annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment analysis. The Company concluded that it was more likely than not the fair value of each of the Company’s intangible assets not subject to amortization was in excess of its respective carrying value during our October 1, 2019 , October 1, 2018 , or October 1, 2017 reviews. Long-Lived Assets and Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Long-lived assets including intangible assets with finite useful lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. We account for property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset, generally three to five years for furniture, fixtures, and equipment and ten to forty years for building and building improvements. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized over the shorter of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. We have a policy of capitalizing expenditures that materially increase assets' useful lives and charging ordinary maintenance and repairs to operations as incurred. When property or equipment is disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed, and any gain or loss is included in income from operations. Income Taxes We are subject to income taxes in the US and foreign jurisdictions. We provide for income taxes at the current and future enacted tax rate and consistent with the laws applicable in each jurisdiction. We account for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes ( Income Taxes ), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. Income Taxes also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. We record a valuation allowance to reduce our gross deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50 percent) to be realized. In order for us to realize our deferred tax assets, we must be able to generate sufficient taxable income. We evaluate the appropriateness of our deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in accordance with Income Taxes based on all available positive and negative evidence. Inventories Inventories consist of finished products sold through our supplies stores and are accounted for using the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. Inventories reported as a component of other current assets on the consolidated balance sheets were $3.9 million and $3.8 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. Leases On January 1, 2019, we adopted a new lease accounting standard (ASC Topic No. 842, Leases ) ( Leases ) that sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of leases for both lessees and lessors. For information regarding the impact of adoption, see “ Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2019 .” Under Leases , we determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-use (ROU) assets and liabilities are recognized at the present value of the future lease payments at the lease commencement date. For this purpose, we consider only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, the interest rate used to determine the present value of future lease payments is an estimated incremental borrowing rate. Many of our leases include one or more options to renew. These options are factored into the determination of the lease term and lease payments when their exercise is considered to be reasonably certain. Our lease agreements generally contain lease and non-lease components. Non-lease components primarily include payments for maintenance and utilities. We elected the practical expedient to combine fixed payments for non-lease components with our lease payments and account for them together as a single lease component which increases the amount of the ROU assets and liabilities. We also elected to recognize the associated lease payments for leases with an initial term of 12 months or less in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis without recognizing a ROU asset or liability. Operating leases are included in lease right-of-use assets, current portion of lease right-of-use liabilities, and long-term portion of lease right-of-use liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in income from operations on our consolidated statements of operations. Net Income per Share Net income per share represents net income attributable to common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during a reported period. The diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock, including stock options (commonly and hereafter referred to as “common stock equivalents”), were exercised or converted into common stock. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income during a reported period by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus common stock equivalents for the period. The following table reconciles share amounts utilized to calculate basic and diluted net income per share (in thousands, except per share data): Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Net income $ 59,229 $ 168,642 $ 150,603 Basic - weighted average common shares 17,260 17,952 17,099 Dilutive effect of common stock equivalents 535 810 1,288 Diluted - weighted average common shares 17,795 18,762 18,387 Earnings per share: Basic $ 3.43 $ 9.39 $ 8.81 Diluted $ 3.33 $ 8.99 $ 8.19 The calculation of dilutive shares excludes the effect of the following options that are considered anti-dilutive (in thousands): Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Anti-dilutive stock options 1,940 285 22 Other Current Assets Other current assets principally consist of prepayments for postage and shipping labels and inventory. Prepayments for postage and shipping labels totaled $17.4 million at December 31, 2019 and $4.8 million at December 31, 2018 . Other Liabilities Other liabilities principally consist of long-term unrecognized income tax benefits, as well as indirect tax liabilities and other liabilities. Research and Development Costs Research and development expense principally consists of compensation and related expenses for personnel involved in the development of our services, depreciation of equipment and software and expenditures for consulting services and third party software. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenues when we transfer control of promised goods or services to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. Our payment terms vary by the products and services offered. The term between billings and when payment is due is not significant. Revenues are presented on a disaggregated basis on the consolidated statements of operations. Service revenue is recognized over time for each month that customers have access to our platform or at a point in time when assets are transferred to the customer. We earn service revenue from our mailing and shipping operations in several different ways: (1) customers may pay us a monthly fee, based on a subscription plan which may be waived or refunded for certain customers, for which we provide them access to our platform, in which case revenue is earned over the period of time that the customers have access to the platform which is typically month-to-month; (2) we have been, and in the future potentially could be, compensated directly by our carriers for shipping labels printed that meet certain requirements, in which case revenue is earned over time, which is typically in the same month that the relevant labels are printed; (3) we may earn revenue from customers when they purchase postage, print shipping labels or perform other transactions using our solutions, in which case revenue is earned at the point in time we transfer an asset to the customer and have a present right of payment for the asset transferred; (4) we may earn revenue that may take the form of some or all of the spread between the rate a customer pays and the rate the carrier or integration partner receives, either charged directly or paid by our partners, in which case revenue is earned at a point in time, which is typically when the customer purchases postage or prints a shipping label; and (5) we may earn other types of revenue shares or other compensation from specific customers that have access to our platform or through integration partners, in which case revenue is recognized at a point in time, which is when we have fulfilled our performance obligations. In the case of monthly fees based on subscription plans, the Company recognizes a reduction of revenue in the period for which a waiver is granted or when a refund is processed, which is typically the same period in which the associated subscription revenue is recognized or, in the case of refunds, could be a later period. Waivers and refunds were not material to the consolidated financial statements in 2019 , 2018 or 2017 . Customers may purchase delivery services from carriers through our mailing and shipping solutions. When funds are transferred directly from customers to the carrier, these funds are not recognized as revenue. We also provide mailing and shipping services for which the cost of postage or delivery is included in the cost of the service and, therefore, is recognized as service revenue. During the second quarter of 2019, we became aware of potential adverse amendments, renegotiations, changes, or termination of certain contracts between the USPS and certain of our strategic partners who are part of the USPS’s reseller program, and through which we derive material revenues and profits. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we became aware that the USPS successfully renegotiated with certain of their reseller partners. While we no longer expect adverse amendments, renegotiations, changes, or termination of these contracts in the foreseeable future, the risk of such events remains. Product revenue consists of products sold through the mailing and shipping supplies stores which are available to our customers from within some of our mailing and shipping solutions. Products sold include mailing labels, shipping labels, thermal printers, scales, and other mailing and shipping-focused office supplies. We recognize product revenue on product purchases upon shipment of orders to customers. We provide our customers with the opportunity to purchase parcel insurance directly through our solutions. Beginning on October 1, 2018, insurance revenue represents the amount we receive from customers net of the costs paid to our insurance providers. For the periods presented prior to October 1, 2018, insurance revenue represented the gross amount charged to the customer for purchasing insurance and the insurance cost of revenues represented the amount paid to our insurance providers. We recognize insurance revenue on insurance purchases upon the ship date of the insured package, which is the point in time when we have fulfilled our performance obligations. Customized postage revenue, which includes the face value of postage, from the sale of customized postage sheets and rolls is recognized upon transfer of control of the product to the customer, which occurs upon our delivery to the carrier. On a limited basis, we allow third parties to offer products and promotions to our customer base. These arrangements generally provide payment in the form of a flat fee or revenue sharing arrangements where we receive payment upon customers accessing third party products and services. Total revenue from such advertising arrangements was not significant during 2019 , 2018 or 2017 . Sales and Marketing Sales and marketing expense principally consists of spending to acquire new customers and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in sales, marketing, and business development activities. Ongoing marketing programs include the following: traditional advertising, partnerships, customer referral programs, customer re-marketing efforts, telemarketing, direct sales, direct mail, and online advertising. Segment Information Our operations consist of two segments: Stamps.com and MetaPack. Please see Note 13 - “Segment and Geographical Information” in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further description. Short-Term Financing Obligations We utilize short-term financing, which is separate from our debt as described in Note – 7 “Debt,” to fund certain Company operations. Short-term financing obligations are included in accounts payable and other current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2019 , we had $1.0 million in short-term financing obligations and $69.5 million of unused credit. As of December 31, 2018 , we had $23.8 million in short-term financing obligations and $96.7 million of unused credit. Stock-Based Compensation We account for share-based employee compensation plans under the fair value recognition and measurement provisions in accordance with applicable accounting standards, which require all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs), to be measured based on the grant date fair value of the awards, with the resulting expense generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which the employee is required to perform service in exchange for the award. We account for forfeitures as they occur. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model to estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant, which requires us to use a number of estimates and subjective assumptions, including stock price volatility, expected term, and risk-free interest rates. In the case of options we grant, our assumption of expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our stock price over the term equal to the expected life of the options. We base the risk-free interest rate on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the options assumed at the date of grant. The estimated expected life represents the weighted average period the stock options are expected to remain outstanding, determined based on an analysis of historical exercise behavior. In 2017 and 2018, our stock-based compensation expense included performance-based inducement equity awards relating to the ShippingEasy acquisition . Starting in the third quarter of fiscal 2018, our stock-based compensation expense included inducement equity awards relating to the MetaPack acquisition as described in Note 3 - “Acquisitions.” The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense that we recognized for the periods indicated (in thousands): 2019 2018 2017 Stock-based compensation expense relating to: Stock options $ 40,936 $ 34,773 $ 39,781 Employee stock purchases 2,004 1,576 1,048 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 42,940 $ 36,349 $ 40,829 Stock-based compensation expense relating to: Cost of revenues $ 3,083 $ 2,955 $ 1,773 Sales and marketing 9,716 6,892 7,289 Research and development 10,521 8,120 9,035 General and administrative 19,620 18,382 22,732 Total stock-based compensation expense $ 42,940 $ 36,349 $ 40,829 The following are the weighted average assumptions used in the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model for the periods indicated: 2019 2018 2017 Risk-free interest rate 1.9 % 2.6 % 1.6 % Expected volatility 73.6 % 50.2 % 47.3 % Expected life (in years) 3.3 3.3 3.4 Trademarks, Trade Names, and Other Intangible Assets (excluding Goodwill) Acquired trademarks, trade names, and other intangibles (excluding goodwill) include both amortizable and non-amortizable assets and are included in intangible assets, net in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Cost associated with internally developed intangible assets is typically expensed as incurred as research and development costs. Amortization of amortizable intangible assets is calculated on a straight-line basis, which is consistent with the expected future cash flows. Treasury Stock During 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , we repurchased approximately 720,000 , 755,000 , and 988,000 shares for $64.9 million , $136.8 million , and $133.8 million , respectively. Also, in the first quarters of 2019 , 2018 , and 2017 , we withheld 1,039 , 21,076 and 6,670 of shares, respectively, to satisfy income tax obligations related to performance-based inducement equity awards issued to the General Manager and the then Chief Technology Officer of ShippingEasy. Website Development Costs We develop and maintain our websites. Costs associated with the operation of our websites consist primarily of software and hardware purchased from third parties and administrative costs relating to the maintenance and development of the respective website. Costs related to the purchase of software and hardware are capitalized based on our property and equipment capitalization policy. These capitalized costs are amortized based on their estimated useful life. Administrative costs related to the maintenance and development of our Company websites are expensed as incurred. Accounting Guidance Adopted in 2019 Disclosure Update and Simplification In August 2018, the SEC adopted the final rule under SEC Release No. 33-10532, Disclosure Update and Simplification, amending certain disclosure requirements that were redundant, duplicative, overlapping, outdated or superseded. In addition, the amendments expanded the disclosure requirements on the analysis of stockholders' equity for interim financial statements. Under the amendments, an analysis of changes in each caption of stockholders' equity presented in the balance sheet must be provided in a note or separate statement. The analysis should present a reconciliation of the beginning balance to the ending balance of each period for which a statement of comprehensive income is required to be filed. The Company adopted the new presentation for its consolidated statements of stockholders' equity in the first quarter of 2019. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases , a new accounting standard for leases. The new standard generally requires the recognition of financing and operating lease liabilities and corresponding ROU assets on the |
