| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation and Description of Business Copart, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of California in 1982. In January 2012, the Company changed the state in which it is incorporated (the “Reincorporation”) and is now incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware. All references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or “the Company” herein refer to the California corporation prior to the date of the Reincorporation, and to the Delaware corporation on and after the date of the Reincorporation. The Company provides vehicle sellers with a full range of services to process and sell vehicles over the internet through the Company’s Virtual Bidding Third Generation (VB3) internet auction-style sales technology. Sellers are primarily insurance companies but also include banks, finance companies, charities, fleet operators, dealers and vehicles sourced directly from individual owners . The Company sells principally to licensed vehicle dismantlers, rebuilders, repair licensees, used vehicle dealers and exporters; however, at certain locations, the Company sells directly to the general public. The majority of vehicles sold on behalf of insurance companies are either damaged vehicles deemed a total loss or not economically repairable by the insurance companies or are recovered stolen vehicles for which an insurance settlement with the vehicle owner has already been made. The Company offers vehicle sellers a full range of services that expedite each stage of the vehicle sales process, minimize administrative and processing costs and maximize the ultimate sales price through the online auction process. In the United States (U.S.), Canada, Brazil, the Republic of Ireland, Finland, the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.), Oman, Bahrain, and Spain, the Company sells vehicles primarily as an agent and derives revenue primarily from auction and auction related sales transaction fees charged for vehicle remarketing services as well as fees for services subsequent to the auction, such as delivery and storage. In the United Kingdom (U.K.) and Germany, the Company operates both as an agent and on a principal basis, in some cases purchasing salvage vehicles outright and reselling the vehicles for its own account. In Germany and Spain, the Company also derives revenue from listing vehicles on behalf of insurance companies and insurance experts to determine the vehicle’s residual value and/or to facilitate a sale for the insured. The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the parent company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including its foreign wholly-owned subsidiaries. The Company also had a 59.5% voting interest in a company, which was acquired as part of the Cycle Express, LLC acquisition (“majority-owned subsidiary”), which provided various repossession services for the powersports auction industry. The noncontrolling interest consisted of a 40.5% outside voting interest in the majority-owned subsidiary. Net income or loss of the majority-owned subsidiary was allocated to the members’ interests in accordance with the operating agreement. During the year ended July 31, 2018, the Company sold the majority-owned subsidiary and disposed of its related goodwill. The proceeds from the sale of the majority-owned subsidiary were $1.8 million resulting in a realized gain of $0.9 million recorded in other income. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates include, but are not limited to, vehicle pooling costs; income taxes; stock-based compensation; purchase price allocations; and contingencies. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Revenue Recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASC 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition . ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of 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. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. ASU 2014-09 was effective for annual and interim periods within those annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and was effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. ASU 2014-09 allows adoption with either retrospective application to each period presented, or modified retrospective application, with the cumulative effect recognized as of the date of initial application. The Company used the modified retrospective application with the cumulative effect as its transition method. Upon adoption, service revenue and vehicle sales revenue are recognized at the date the vehicles are sold at auction. This timing of revenue recognition under ASU 2014-09 is consistent with the Company’s previous policy under ASC 605 for most service and vehicle sales revenue. However, the adoption represents a change in the timing of revenue recognition for certain service revenues, such as inbound transportation and titling fees, which were previously recognized under ASC 605 when the services were performed, which generally occurred prior to auction. Related costs to prepare the vehicles for auction, including inbound transportation and titling, are deferred and recognized at the time of revenue recognition. This change resulted in a decrease to beginning retained earnings as of August 1, 2018, of $23.0 million as a result of the initial application of the standard and did not have a material impact to earnings. This retained earnings adjustment related to adjustments to accounts receivable, vehicle pooling costs and deferred taxes upon adoption of the standard. There were no contract liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at July 31, 2019 . The Company’s disaggregation between service revenues and vehicle sales at the segment level reflects how the nature, timing, amount and uncertainty of its revenues and cash flows are impacted by economic factors. The Company reports sales taxes on relevant transactions on a net basis in the Company’s consolidated results of operations, and therefore does not include sales taxes in revenues or costs. Service revenues The Company’s service revenue consists of auction and auction related sales transaction fees charged for vehicle remarketing services. Within this revenue category, the Company’s primary performance obligation is the auctioning of consigned vehicles through an online auction process. These auction and auction related services may include a combination of vehicle purchasing fees, vehicle listing fees, and vehicle selling fees that can be based on a predetermined percentage of the vehicle sales price, tiered vehicle sales price driven fees, or at a fixed fee based on the sale of each vehicle regardless of the selling price of the vehicle; transportation fees for the cost of transporting the vehicle to or from the Company’s facility; title processing and preparation fees; vehicle storage fees; bidding fees; and vehicle loading fees. These services are not distinct within the context of the contract. Accordingly, revenue for these services is recognized when the single performance obligation is satisfied at the completion of the auction process. The Company does not take ownership of these consigned vehicles, which are stored at the Company’s facilities located throughout the U.S. and at its international locations. These fees are recognized as net revenue (not gross vehicle selling price) at the time of auction in the amount of such fees charged. The Company identified a separate performance obligation related to providing access to its online auction platform. The Company also charges members an annual registration fee for the right to participate in its online auctions and access the Company’s bidding platform. Under the new standard, this fee will continue to be recognized ratably over the term of the arrangement, generally one year, as each day of access to the online auction platform represents the best depiction of the transfer of the service. No provision for returns has been established, as all sales are final with no right of return or warranty, although the Company provides for bad debt expense in the case of non-performance by its buyers or sellers. Year Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2019 2018 2017 Service revenues United States $ 1,537,431 $ 1,385,238 $ 1,128,990 International 218,263 193,264 157,262 Total service revenues $ 1,755,694 $ 1,578,502 $ 1,286,252 Vehicle sales Certain vehicles are purchased and remarketed on the Company’s own behalf. The Company identified a single performance obligation related to the sale of these vehicles, which is the completion of the online auction process. Under the new standard, vehicle sales revenue will continue to be recognized on the auction date. As the Company acts as a principal in vehicle sales transactions, the gross sales price at auction is recorded as revenue. Year Ended July 31, (In thousands) 2019 2018 2017 Vehicle sales United States $ 119,138 $ 105,784 $ 64,198 International 167,125 121,409 97,531 Total vehicle sales $ 286,263 $ 227,193 $ 161,729 Contract assets The Company capitalizes certain contract assets related to obtaining a contract, where the amortization period for the related asset is greater than one year. These assets are amortized over the expected life of the customer relationship. Contract assets are classified as current or long-term other assets, based on the timing of when the Company expects to recognize the related revenues and are amortized as an offset to the associated revenues on a straight-line basis. The Company assesses these costs for impairment at least quarterly and as “triggering” events occur that indicate it is more likely than not that an impairment exists. The contract asset costs where the amortization period for the related asset is one year or less are expensed as incurred and recorded within general and administrative expenses in the accompanying statements of income. The change in the carrying amount of contract assets was as follows (in thousands): Balance as of July 31, 2018 $ 11,840 Capitalized contract assets during the period 4,130 Costs amortized during the period (4,875 ) Effect of foreign currency exchange rates (521 ) Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ 10,574 Vehicle Pooling Costs The Company defers costs that relate directly to the fulfillment of its contracts associated with vehicles consigned to and received by the Company, but not sold as of the end of the period. The Company quantifies the deferred costs using a calculation that includes the number of vehicles at its facilities at the beginning and end of the period, the number of vehicles sold during the period and an allocation of certain yard operation costs of the period. The primary expenses allocated and deferred are inbound transportation costs, titling fees, certain facility costs, labor, and vehicle processing. Upon the adoption of ASC 606 in fiscal 2019, the Company began deferring the inbound transportation costs and titling fees directly associated with the vehicles within its vehicle pooling costs. If the allocation factors change, then yard operation expenses could increase or decrease correspondingly in the future. These costs are expensed into yard operations expenses as vehicles are sold in subsequent periods on an average cost basis. Foreign Currency Translation The Company records foreign currency translation adjustments from the process of translating the functional currency of the financial statements of its foreign subsidiaries into the U.S. dollar reporting currency. The Canadian dollar, British pound, Brazilian real, European Union euro, U.A.E. dirham, Omani rial, Bahraini dinar, and Indian rupee are the functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, as they are the primary currencies within the economic environment in which each subsidiary operates. The original equity investment in the respective subsidiaries is translated at historical rates. Assets and liabilities of the respective subsidiary’s operations are translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates, and revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates in effect during each reporting period. Adjustments resulting from the translation of each subsidiary’s financial statements are reported in other comprehensive income. The cumulative effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations were as follows (in thousands): Cumulative loss on foreign currency translation as of July 31, 2017 $ (100,676 ) Loss on foreign currency translation (7,252 ) Cumulative loss on foreign currency translation as of July 31, 2018 $ (107,928 ) Loss on foreign currency translation (24,601 ) Cumulative loss on foreign currency translation as of July 31, 2019 $ (132,529 ) Fair Value of Financial Instruments The Company records its financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with the framework for measuring fair value in U.S. GAAP. In accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures , as amended by Accounting Standards Update 2011-04, the Company considers fair value as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants under current market conditions. This framework establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value: Level I Observable inputs that reflect unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets. Level II Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level I that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level III Inputs that are generally unobservable. These inputs may be used with internally developed methodologies that result in management’s best estimate. The amounts recorded for financial instruments in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which included cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and Revolving Loan Facility approximated their fair values as of July 31, 2019 and 2018 , due to the short-term nature of those instruments and are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy. Cash equivalents are classified within Level II of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices of the underlying investments. See Note 7 — Long-Term Debt and Note 8 – Fair Value Measures . Cost of Vehicle Sales Cost of vehicle sales includes the purchase price of vehicles sold for the Company’s own account. Yard Operations Yard operations consists primarily of operating personnel (which includes yard management, clerical and yard employees) and their related benefits, rent, vehicle transportation, insurance, property related taxes, fuel, and equipment maintenance and repair. General and Administrative Expenses General and administrative expenses consist primarily of executive, accounting, data processing, sales personnel, professional services, marketing expenses, and system maintenance and enhancements. Advertising All advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income. Advertising expenses were $7.5 million , $5.9 million , and $5.6 million for the years ended July 31, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Other (Expense) Income Other (expense) income consists primarily of interest expense, interest income, gains and losses from the disposal of fixed assets, rental income, earnings from unconsolidated affiliates, and currency related gains and losses. Income Taxes and Deferred Tax Assets Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities, their respective tax basis, and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The Company considers the need to maintain a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets based on an assessment of whether it is more likely than not that the Company would realize those deferred tax assets based on future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and the ability to generate sufficient taxable income within the carryforward period available under the applicable tax law. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Excess tax benefits and deficiencies related to exercises of stock options are recognized as expense or benefit in the income statement as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. The Company recognizes and measures uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC740, Income Taxes , pursuant to which the Company only recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such positions are then measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company reports a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. ASC740 further requires that a change in judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions be recognized in earnings in the quarter in which such change occurs. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company files annual income tax returns in multiple taxing jurisdictions. A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited by the relevant tax authorities and finally resolved. The Company believes that its reserves for income taxes reflect the most likely outcome. The Company adjusts these reserves, as well as the related interest, where appropriate in light of changing facts and circumstances. The Company accounted for the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, enacted on December 22, 2017, on a provisional basis in the six months ended January 31, 2018 consolidated financial statements. The Company completed its accounting as of January 31, 2019, within the one year measurement period from the enactment date. Net Income Per Share Basic net income per share amounts were computed by dividing consolidated net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share amounts were computed by dividing consolidated net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus dilutive potential common shares calculated for stock options outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include cash held in checking, domestic certificates of deposit, and money market accounts. The Company periodically invests its excess cash in money market funds and U.S. Treasury Bills. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are placed with high credit quality financial institutions. Inventory Inventories of purchased vehicles are stated at the lower of cost or estimated realizable value. Cost includes the Company’s cost of acquiring ownership of the vehicle. The cost of vehicles sold is charged to cost of vehicle sales as sold on a specific identification basis. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable, which consist primarily of advance charges receivable from the Company’s sellers and the gross sales price of the vehicle due from buyers, are recorded when billed, advanced or accrued and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash. Advance charges receivable represents amounts paid to third parties on behalf of insurance companies for which the Company will be reimbursed when the vehicle is sold. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments, which subject the Company to potential credit risk, consist of its cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company adheres to its investment policy when placing investments. The investment policy has established guidelines to limit the Company’s exposure to credit risk by placing investments with high credit quality financial institutions, diversifying its investment portfolio, limiting investments in any one issuer or pooled fund and placing investments with maturities that maintain safety and liquidity. Deposits with these financial institutions may exceed the amount of insurance provided; however, these deposits typically are redeemable upon demand and, therefore, the Company believes that the financial risks associated with these financial instruments are minimal. The Company generally does not require collateral on its accounts receivable. The Company estimates its allowances for doubtful accounts based on historical collection trends, the age of outstanding receivables and existing economic conditions. If events or changes in circumstances indicate that specific receivable balances may be impaired, further consideration is given to the collectability of those balances and the allowance is adjusted accordingly. Past-due account balances are written off when the Company’s internal collection efforts have been unsuccessful in collecting the amounts due. The Company does not have off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers and to date, the Company has not experienced significant credit-related losses. No single customer accounted for more than 10 % of the Company’s consolidated revenues for the years ended July 31, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 . As of July 31, 2019 and 2018, n o customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated accounts receivable. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the respective improvements, which is between seven and ten years . Significant improvements which substantially extend the useful lives of assets are capitalized. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives: three to seven years for internally developed or purchased software; three to twenty years for transportation and other equipment; three to five years for office furniture and equipment; and 7 to 40 years or the lease term, whichever is shorter , for buildings and improvements. Amortization of equipment under capital leases is included in depreciation expense. Goodwill In accordance with ASC 350-30-35, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other , goodwill is not amortized but is tested for potential impairment, at a minimum on an annual basis, or when indications of potential impairment exist. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below an operating segment, referred to as a reporting unit. The Company has identified two reporting units, which are consistent with its two operating and reportable segments, U.S. and International. The Company has historically evaluated goodwill for impairment annually as of the beginning of the fourth quarter, or when an indicator of impairment exists. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis, which was performed qualitatively during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2019 and 2018 , did not result in an impairment charge. This qualitative analysis, which is referred to as step zero under ASC 350, considered all relevant factors specific to the reporting units, including macroeconomic conditions; industry and market considerations; overall financial performance and relevant entity-specific events. Segments and Other Geographic Reporting The Company’s U.S. and International regions are considered two separate operating segments and are disclosed as two reportable segments. The segments represent geographic areas and reflect how the chief operating decision maker allocates resources and measures results, including total revenues and operating income. Capitalized Software Costs The Company capitalizes system development costs and website development costs related to the enterprise computing services during the application development stage. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post implementation activities are expensed as incurred. Internal-use software is amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, generally three to seven years. The Company evaluates the useful lives of these assets on an annual basis and tests for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances occur that impact the recoverability of these assets. Total gross capitalized software as of July 31, 2019 and 2018 was $39.4 million and $30.7 million , respectively. Accumulated amortization expense related to software as of July 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled $23.6 million and $16.0 million , respectively. During the year ended July 31, 2018, the Company retired fully amortized capitalized software of $15.5 million , which were no longer being utilized. Additionally, during the year ended July 31, 2017, the Company recognized a $19.4 million charge primarily related to fully impairing costs previously capitalized in connection with the development of business operating software. Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based awards to employees and non-employees using the fair value method as required by ASC 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation (ASC 718), which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation expense for all stock-based awards made to employees, consultants and directors based on estimated fair value. ASC 718 requires companies to estimate the fair value of stock-based awards on the measurement date using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized in expense over the requisite service periods. ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The fair value of each option was estimated on the measurement date using the Black-Scholes Merton (BSM) option-pricing model utilizing the following assumptions: July 31, 2019 2018 2017 Expected life (in years) 5.3 – 6.6 5.3 – 6.9 5.5 – 7.4 Risk-free interest rate 1.80 – 2.69 1.88 – 2.62 1.20 – 2.07 Estimated volatility 21.6 – 22.1 19.7 – 20.7 20.0 – 22.7 Expected dividends — % — % — % Weighted average fair value at measurement date $ 15.47 $ 8.88 $ 7.05 Expected life—The Company’s expected life represents the period that the Company’s stock-based awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms of the stock-based awards, vesting schedules and expectations of future employee behavior as influenced by changes to the terms of its stock-based awards. Risk-free interest rate—The Company bases the risk-free interest rate used in the BSM option-pricing model on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with the same or substantially equivalent expected life. Estimated volatility—The Company uses the trading history of its common stock in determining an estimated volatility factor when using the BSM option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. Expected dividend—The Company has not declared dividends. Therefore, the Company uses a zero value for the expected dividend value factor when using the BSM option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. Estimated forfeitures—When estimating forfeitures, the Company considers voluntary and involuntary termination behavior as well as analysis of actual option forfeitures. Net cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options were $34.4 million , $44.5 million and $31.2 million for the years ended July 31, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , respectively. Comprehensive Income Comprehensive income includes all changes in stockholders’ equity during a period from non-stockholder sources. For the years ended July 31, 2019 , 2018 and 2017 , accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) was the effect of foreign currency translation adjustments. Deferred taxes are not provided on cumulative translation adjustments where the Company expects earnings of a foreign subsidiary to be indefinitely reinvested. Acquisitions The Company recognizes and measures identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in acquired entities in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations . The allocation of the purchase consideration for acquisitions can require extensive use of accounting estimates and judgments to allocate the purchase consideration to the identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values. The excess of the fair value of purchase consideration over the values of the identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill. Critical estimates in valuing certain identifiable assets include but are not limited to expected long-term revenues; future expected operating expenses; cost of capital; appropriate attrition; and discount rates. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASC 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition . ASU 2014-09 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of 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. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. On August 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method for all contracts. Results for reporting periods beginning August 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with the Company’s historic accounting under Topic 605, Revenue Recognition . Pending In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income . The current standard, ASC Topic 740 - Income Taxes , requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be adjusted for the effect of a change in tax laws or rates with the effect included in income from continuing operations in the reporting period that includes the enactment date. This includes the tax effects of items in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") that were originally recognized in other comprehensive income, subsequently creating stranded tax effects. ASU 2018-02 allows a reclas |
