Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

The Company leases office space under non-cancelable leases. These leases expire at various dates through 2024 and include discounted rental periods and fixed escalation clauses, which are amortized straight-line over the terms of the lease. Rent expense under operating leases was $3.8 million and $2.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $12.3 million and $8.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company has issued letters of credit for approximately $4.7 million as security for these lease agreements as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Collection of Sales or Other Similar Taxes

Based on the location of the Company’s current operations, it collects and remits sales tax in Kentucky, Massachusetts, New York and Utah. The Company does not currently collect sales or other similar taxes for the sale of goods in states where no obligation to collect these taxes is required under applicable law. Several states have presented the Company with assessments, alleging that it is required to collect and remit sales or other similar taxes. The aggregate amount of claims from these states, not including taxes allegedly owed for periods subsequent to such assessments or interest and penalties after the date the Company last received such assessments, is approximately $12.9 million. The Company does not believe that it was obligated to collect and remit such taxes, and intends to vigorously defend its position. At this time, the Company believes a loss is not probable and therefore has not recorded a liability; however, no assurance can be given as to the outcome of these assessments.

Legal Matters

On September 2, 2015, a putative class action complaint was filed against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York (Dingee v. Wayfair Inc., et al., Case No. 1:15-cv-06941) by an individual on behalf of himself and on behalf of all other similarly situated individuals, or collectively, the Plaintiffs, under sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act related to a drop in stock price that had followed a report issued by Citron Research. On September 3, a second putative class action complaint was filed, asserting nearly identical claims (Jenkins v. Wayfair Inc., et al., Case No. 1:15-cv-06985). On November 2, 2015, the plaintiff in the Dingee action moved to consolidate the two lawsuits, and to designate himself as lead plaintiff in the class action and his attorney as lead counsel for the class. On November 3, plaintiff in the Jenkins action voluntarily dismissed his complaint. As a result, only the Dingee action remains pending. The Plaintiff’s complaint seeks class certification, damages in an unspecified amount, and attorney’s fees and costs. The company intends to defend the lawsuit vigorously.

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of business. However, the Company is not currently aware of any legal proceedings or claims that it believes will have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.