XML 29 R18.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.21.2
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
We are subject to U.S. federal and state taxes with respect to our allocable share of any taxable income or loss of MarketWise, LLC, as well as any stand-alone income or loss we generate. MarketWise, LLC is treated as a partnership for U.S. income tax purposes and for most applicable state and local income tax purposes and generally does not pay income taxes in most jurisdictions. Instead, MarketWise, LLC’s taxable income or loss is passed through to its members, including us.
The effective income tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 were (0.8)% and (0.3)%, respectively. We did not record any income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 as we were a pass-through entity for tax purposes prior to the closing of the Transactions. Our effective tax rate in 2021 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily because we generally do not record income taxes for the noncontrolling portion of pre-tax income.
As a result of the reverse capitalization, we recorded a deferred tax asset resulting from the outside basis difference in our interest in MarketWise, LLC, a portion of which related to net assets with tax basis that is ordinary in nature and a portion of which related to the residual outside basis that is capital in nature.
The residual outside basis that is capital in nature would only be recognized upon disposition of our interest in MarketWise, LLC, for which there are no foreseeable plans. The residual outside basis difference would also only offset with a capital gain, which is not expected to arise for the Company. Therefore, a valuation allowance in the amount of $28,947 was recorded, as we determined that it was more likely than not that this portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.
As part of the reverse capitalization, we are now a taxable corporation, subject to federal and state income taxes. We entered into Tax Receivable Agreements (“TRAs”) with certain shareholders that will represent approximately 85% of the calculated tax savings based on the portion of basis adjustments on future exchanges of MarketWise, LLC units and other carryforward attributes assumed that we anticipate to be able to utilize in future years. There was no exchange of MarketWise, LLC units as part of the Transactions and there has been no exchange since the closing; therefore, we have not recorded a liability under the TRAs as of September 30, 2021.
As of September 30, 2021, we had no unrecognized tax positions and believe there will be no changes to uncertain tax positions within the next 12 months.