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

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Schedule of Merger and Other Acquisition Expenses

The table below summarizes the major components of merger and other acquisition expenses (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Merger and other acquisition expenses:
Transaction ⁽¹⁾	$	6,658	$	—	$	18,702
Severance and retention ⁽²⁾	137		3,897		15,229
Other ⁽³⁾	848		5,165		2,739
Total merger and other acquisition expenses	$	7,643	$	9,062	$	36,670


⁽¹⁾	For the year ended December 31, 2016, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $3.9 million related to Merger transaction expenses; a significant portion of these expenses were not deductible for income tax purposes.

⁽²⁾

For the year ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company made severance and retention payments of $1.4 million, $7.4 million and $10.4 million, respectively, and as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, had $0.0 million, $1.3 million and $4.8 million, respectively, accrued for future payments. Accrued severance and retention is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.


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