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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Groupon, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements were prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses of all wholly-owned subsidiaries and majority-owned subsidiaries over which we exercise control and variable interest entities for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. Outside stockholders' interests in subsidiaries are shown on the consolidated financial statements as Noncontrolling interests. Investments in entities in which we do not have a controlling financial interest are accounted for at fair value, as available-for-sale securities or at cost adjusted for observable price changes and impairments, as appropriate. Adoption of New Accounting Standards We adopted the guidance in Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, on January 1, 2021. This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. We adopted the guidance in ASU 2020-03, Codification Improvements to Financial Instruments, on January 1, 2021. This ASU amends a wide variety of Topics in the Codification, including revolving-debt arrangements and allowance for credit losses related to leases. The adoption of ASU 2020-03 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. We early adopted the guidance in ASU 2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity, on January 1, 2021. The ASU removes the separation models for convertible debt with a cash conversion feature or convertible instruments with a beneficial conversion feature. Additionally, the ASU removes certain conditions for equity classification related to contracts in an entity’s own equity (e.g., warrants) and amends certain guidance related to the computation of income (loss) per share for convertible instruments and contracts in an entity’s own equity. Prior to the adoption of ASU 2020-06, we separated the convertible senior notes due 2022 (the "Atairos Notes") into their liability and equity components. Following the adoption of ASU 2020-06, the previously bifurcated equity component of the Atairos Notes was recombined with the liability component, resulting in a single liability-classified instrument. The carrying value of the Atairos Notes at transition was determined by recalculating the basis of the Atairos Notes as if the conversion option had not been bifurcated at issuance. Transaction costs related to the issuance of the Atairos Notes that were allocated to the equity component were reclassified out of Additional paid-in- capital and the amortization and the related debt discount associated with these costs were recalculated through the transition date. The transaction costs were recorded as a debt discount in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized to interest expense over the remaining term of the Atairos Notes. Together with the cash interest, this resulted in an effective interest rate of 3.76%. As a result of adopting ASU 2020-06 in the first quarter of 2021, we recorded a $67.0 million net reduction to additional paid-in capital, a $19.0 million increase to Convertible senior notes, net and a $48.0 million reduction to our opening accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2021. In the fourth quarter of 2021, we recorded an additional $2.7 million adjustment to our opening accumulated deficit and additional paid-in capital related to tax impacts of our bond hedges. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements of prior periods and the accompanying notes to conform to the current period presentation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates in our financial statements include, but are not limited to, the following: variable consideration from unredeemed vouchers; income taxes; leases; initial valuation and subsequent impairment testing of goodwill, other intangible assets and long-lived assets; investments; receivables; customer refunds and other reserves; contingent liabilities; and the useful lives of property, equipment and software and intangible assets. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. Cash, Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less from the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts receivable primarily represents the net cash due from credit card and other payment processors and from merchants and performance marketing networks for commissions earned on consumer purchases. The carrying amount of receivables is reduced by an allowance for expected credit losses that reflects management's best estimate of amounts that will not be collected. We establish an allowance for expected credit losses on accounts receivable based on identifying the following customer risk characteristics: size, type of customer, and payment terms offered in the normal course of business. Receivables with similar risk characteristics are grouped into pools. For each pool, we consider the historical credit loss experience, current economic conditions, bankruptcy filings, published or estimated credit default rates, age of the receivable and any recoveries in assessing the lifetime expected credit losses. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Generally, the useful lives are three to five years for computer hardware, office equipment, furniture and fixtures and the shorter of the term of the lease or the expected life of the underlying asset for leasehold improvements. Internal-Use Software We incur costs related to internal-use software and website development, including purchased software and internally-developed software. Costs incurred in the planning and evaluation stage of internally-developed software and website development are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred and accumulated during the application development stage are capitalized and included within Property, equipment and software, net on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of internal-use software is recorded on a straight-line basis over the two-year estimated useful life of the assets. Cloud Computing Costs We have entered into non-cancelable cloud computing hosting arrangements for which we incur implementation costs. Costs incurred in the planning and evaluation stage of the cloud computing hosting arrangement are expensed as incurred. Costs incurred during the application development stage related to implementation of the hosting arrangement are capitalized and included within Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of implementation costs is recorded on a straight-line basis over the term of the associated hosting arrangement for each module or component of the related hosting arrangement when it is ready for its intended use. Amortization costs are recorded in Selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Goodwill Goodwill is allocated to our reporting units at acquisition. Once goodwill has been allocated to the reporting units, it no longer retains its identification with a particular acquisition and becomes identified with the reporting unit in its entirety. Accordingly, the fair value of the reporting unit as a whole is available to support the recoverability of its goodwill. We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on October 1 or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable. We have the option to assess goodwill for impairment by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is determined that the reporting unit fair value is more-likely-than-not less than its carrying value, or if we do not elect the option to perform an initial qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative assessment of the reporting unit's fair value. If the fair value of the reporting unit is in excess of its carrying value, the related goodwill is not impaired. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, we recognize an impairment equal to the difference between the carrying value of the reporting unit and its fair value, not to exceed the carrying value of goodwill. Investments Investments in equity shares without a readily determinable fair value and for which we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence are accounted for at cost adjusted for observable price changes and impairments, with changes in the measurement recognized through net income (loss). Those investments are classified within Investments on the consolidated balance sheets. We have investments in common stock or in-substance common stock for which we have the ability to exercise significant influence and we have made an irrevocable election to account for those investments at fair value. Those investments are classified within Investments on the consolidated balance sheets. We classify our debt securities as available-for-sale securities, which are classified within Investments on the consolidated balance sheets. Available-for-sale securities are recorded at fair value each reporting period. Unrealized gains and losses, net of the related tax effects, are excluded from earnings and recorded as a separate component within Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) on the consolidated balance sheets until realized. Interest income from available-for-sale securities is reported within Other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. We conduct reviews of our available-for-sale investments with unrealized losses on a quarterly basis to evaluate whether those impairments are other-than-temporary. Investments with unrealized losses that are determined to be other-than-temporary are written down to fair value with a charge to earnings. Unrealized losses that are determined to be temporary in nature are recorded, net of tax, in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for available-for-sale securities. Income Taxes We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. We regularly review deferred tax assets to assess whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized and, if necessary, establish a valuation allowance for portions of such assets to reduce the carrying value. For purposes of assessing whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will be realized, we consider the following four sources of taxable income for each tax jurisdiction: (a) future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, (b) projected future earnings, (c) taxable income in carryback years, to the extent that carrybacks are permitted under the tax laws of the applicable jurisdiction, and (d) tax planning strategies, which represent prudent and feasible actions that a company ordinarily might not take, but would take to prevent an operating loss or tax credit carryforward from expiring unused. To the extent that evidence about one or more of these sources of taxable income is sufficient to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not necessary, other sources need not be considered. Otherwise, evidence about each of the sources of taxable income is considered in arriving at a conclusion about the need for and amount of a valuation allowance. We are subject to taxation in the United States, various states and foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related income tax assets and liabilities. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. For example, our effective tax rate could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in countries where it has lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries where it has higher statutory rates, by changes in foreign currency exchange rates, by changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, by changes in the measurement of uncertain tax positions or by changes in the relevant laws, regulations, principles and interpretations. We account for uncertainty in income taxes by recognizing the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not criteria, the amount recognized in the consolidated financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. Lease Obligations We have entered into various non-cancelable operating lease agreements for our offices and data centers and non-cancelable finance lease agreements for property and equipment. Significant judgment is required when determining whether a contract is or contains a lease. We review contracts to determine whether the language conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. We classify leases at their commencement as either operating or finance leases. We recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all of our leases at the commencement of the lease, which is the date we have the right to control the asset. Lease liabilities are measured based on the present value of the minimum lease payments discounted by a rate determined as of the date of commencement. The discount rate used to calculate the present value for lease payments is the rate implicit in the lease, unless that rate cannot be readily determined. For leases in which the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the discount rate is our incremental borrowing rate, which is determined based on information available at lease commencement and is equal to the rate of interest that we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term as the lease. Right-of-use assets are measured based on the lease liability adjusted for any initial direct costs, prepaid rent, or lease incentives. Minimum lease payments made under operating and finance leases are apportioned between interest expense and a reduction of the related operating and finance lease obligations. Operating lease costs, including interest expense on operating leases, are presented within Selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations and the related operating lease obligation is presented within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Operating lease obligations on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization and interest expense on finance leases are presented within Selling, general and administrative expense and Other income (expense), net, respectively, on the consolidated statements of operations and the related finance lease obligation is presented within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities and Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Short term leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet and are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. We may receive renewal or expansion options, rent holidays, leasehold improvements or other incentives on certain lease agreements. We assess whether it is reasonably certain that we will exercise an option to renew or terminate a lease by considering factors that create an economic incentive or disincentive. Certain lease agreements include variable lease costs which are primarily related to costs that are dependent on our usage of the underlying asset or lease payments that are dependent on an index when that index has changed since lease commencement. Those costs are expenses in the period in which they are incurred. We have also subleased certain office facilities under operating lease agreements, for which we recognize sublease income on a straight-line basis over their respective lease terms. Sublease income is generally presented within Selling, general and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of operations. Revenue Recognition We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring a promised good or service to a customer. Substantially all of our performance obligations are satisfied at a point in time rather than over time. We offer goods and services through our online marketplaces in three primary categories: Local, Goods and Travel. Service revenue Service revenue primarily represents the net commissions earned from selling goods or services on behalf of third-party merchants. Those transactions generally involve a customer's purchase of a voucher through one of our online marketplaces that can be redeemed by the customer with a third-party merchant for goods or services (or for discounts on goods or services). Service revenue from those transactions is reported on a net basis as the purchase price collected from the customer less the portion of the purchase price that is payable to the third-party merchant. We recognize revenue from those transactions when our commission has been earned, which occurs when a sale through one of our online marketplaces is completed and the related voucher has been made available to the customer. We believe that our remaining obligations to remit payment to the merchant and to provide information about vouchers sold are administrative activities that are immaterial in the context of the contract with the merchant. Revenue from hotel reservation offerings is recognized at the time the reservation is made, net of an allowance for estimated cancellations. We also earn commissions when customers make purchases with retailers using digital coupons accessed through our websites and mobile applications. We recognize those commissions as revenue in the period in which the underlying transactions between the customer and the third-party merchant are completed. Additionally, we earn advertising revenue when the advertiser's logo or website link has been included on our websites or in specified email distributions for the requisite period of time as set forth in the agreement with the advertiser. Product revenue We generate product revenue from our sales of first-party Goods transactions, which are direct sales of merchandise inventory. For product revenue transactions, we are the primary party responsible for providing the good to the customer, we have inventory risk and we have discretion in establishing prices. As such, product revenue is reported on a gross basis as the purchase price received from the customer. Product revenue, including associated shipping revenue, is recognized when title passes to the customer upon delivery of the product. We fully transitioned to a third-party marketplace in North America in 2020 and in International in the fourth quarter of 2021. In a third-party marketplace model, our merchants generally assume inventory and refund risk and for those transactions we record revenue on a net basis within service revenue. Variable Consideration for Unredeemed Vouchers For merchant agreements with redemption payment terms, the merchant is not paid its share of the sale price for a voucher sold through one of our online marketplaces until the customer redeems the related voucher. If the customer does not redeem a voucher with such merchant payment terms, we retain all of the gross billings for that voucher, rather than retaining only our net commission. We estimate the variable consideration from vouchers that will not ultimately be redeemed using our historical voucher redemption experience and recognize that amount as revenue at the time of sale. We apply a constraint to ensure it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur in future periods. If actual redemptions differ from our estimates, the effects could be material to the consolidated financial statements. Refunds Refunds are recorded as a reduction of revenue. The liability for estimated refunds is included within Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. We estimate our refund reserve using historical refund experience by category. We assess the trends that could affect our estimates on an ongoing basis and make adjustments to the refund reserve calculations if it appears that changes in circumstances, including changes to our refund policies or general economic conditions, may cause future refunds to differ from our initial estimates. If actual refunds differ from our estimates, the effects could be material to the consolidated financial statements. Discounts, Customer Credits and Other Consideration Payable to Customers We provide discount offers to encourage purchases of goods and services through our online marketplaces. We record discounts as a reduction of revenue. Additionally, we issue credits to customers that can be applied to future purchases through our online marketplaces. Credits are primarily issued as consideration for refunds. To a lesser extent, credits are issued for customer relationship purposes. Credits issued to satisfy refund requests are applied as a reduction to the refund reserve and customer credits issued for relationship purposes are classified as a reduction of revenue. Breakage income from customer credits that are not expected to be used is estimated and recognized as revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption for customer credits that are used. Customer credits can be redeemed through our online marketplaces for goods or services provided by a third-party merchant or for merchandise inventory sold by us. When customer credits are redeemed for goods or services provided by a third-party merchant, service revenue is recognized on a net basis as the difference between the carrying amount of the customer credit liability derecognized and the amount due to the merchant for the related transaction. When customer credits are redeemed for merchandise inventory sold by us, product revenue is recognized on a gross basis equal to the amount of the customer credit liability derecognized. Sales and Related Taxes Sales, use, value-added and related taxes that are imposed on specific revenue-generating transactions are presented on a net basis and excluded from revenue. Costs of Obtaining Contracts Incremental costs to obtain contracts with third-party merchants, such as sales commissions, are deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected period of the merchant arrangement, generally from 12 to 18 months. Those costs are classified within Selling, general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Cost of Revenue Cost of revenue is comprised of direct and certain indirect costs incurred to generate revenue. Costs incurred to generate revenue, which include credit card processing fees, editorial costs, compensation expense for technology support personnel who are responsible for maintaining the infrastructure of our websites, amortization of internal-use software relating to customer-facing applications, web hosting and other processing fees are attributed to the cost of service and product revenue in proportion to gross billings during the period. For product revenue transactions, cost of revenue also includes the cost of inventory, shipping and fulfillment costs and inventory markdowns. Fulfillment costs are comprised of third-party logistics provider and other costs and, prior to fully impairing our fulfillment center in 2020, rent, depreciation, personnel costs and other costs of operating our fulfillment center. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets We review our long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and software, intangible assets and right-of-use assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable. If circumstances require that a long-lived asset or asset group to be held and used be tested for possible impairment, we first compare the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that long-lived asset or asset group to its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, an impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. Long-lived assets or disposal groups classified as held for sale are recorded at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value less estimated selling costs. Long-lived assets are not depreciated or amortized while classified as held for sale. Stock-Based Compensation We measure stock-based compensation cost at fair value. Expense is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the service period during which awards are expected to vest, except for awards with both performance conditions and a graded vesting schedule, which are recognized using the accelerated method. We present stock-based compensation expense within the consolidated statements of operations based on the classification of the respective employees' cash compensation. Foreign Currency Balance sheet accounts of our operations outside of the United States are translated from foreign currencies into U.S. dollars at exchange rates as of the consolidated balance sheet dates. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments and foreign currency gains and losses on intercompany balances that are of a long-term investment nature are included within Accumulated other comprehensive income on the consolidated balance sheets. Foreign currency gains and losses resulting from transactions that are denominated in currencies other than the entity's functional currency, including foreign currency gains and losses on intercompany balances that are not of a long-term investment nature, are included within Other income (expense), net on the consolidated statements of operations. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In October 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-10, Codification Improvements. This ASU amends a variety of Topics, including presentation and disclosures of financial statements, interim reporting, accounting changes and error corrections. This ASU will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021 and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022 and early adoption is permitted. We believe that the adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. There are no other accounting standards that have been issued but not yet adopted that we believe could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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