Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2019

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of America’s Car-Mart, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Segment Information

Each dealership is an operating segment with its results regularly reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in an effort to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and to assess its performance. Individual dealerships meet the aggregation criteria for reporting purposes under the current accounting guidance. The Company operates in the Integrated Auto Sales and Finance segment of the used car market, also referred to as the Integrated Auto Sales and Finance industry. In this industry, the nature of the sale and the financing of the transaction, financing processes, the type of customer and the methods used to distribute the Company’s products and services, including the actual servicing of the contracts as well as the regulatory environment in which the Company operates, all have similar characteristics. Each of our individual dealerships are similar in nature and only engages in the selling and financing of used vehicles. All individual dealerships have similar operating characteristics. As such, individual dealerships have been aggregated into

one

reportable segment.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include, but are

not

limited to, the Company’s allowance for credit losses.

Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Concentration of Risk

The Company provides financing in connection with the sale of substantially all of its vehicles. These sales are made primarily to customers residing in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, with approximately

28%

of current period revenues resulting from sales to Arkansas customers.

Periodically, the Company maintains cash in financial institutions in excess of the amounts insured by the federal government. The Company’s revolving credit facilities mature in

December 2021.

Line of Credit Facility, Dividend Restrictions [Policy Text Block]

Restrictions on Distributions/Dividends

The Company’s revolving credit facilities generally restrict distributions by the Company to its shareholders. The distribution limitations under the credit facilities allow the Company to repurchase shares of its common stock up to certain limits. Under the current limits, the aggregate amount of repurchases after

October 25, 2017

cannot exceed the greater of: (a)

$50

million, net of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options (plus any repurchases made during the

first

six

months after

October 25, 2017,

in an aggregate amount up to the remaining availability under the

$40

million repurchase limit in effect immediately prior to

October 25, 2017,

net of proceeds received from the exercise of stock options), provided that the sum of the borrowing bases combined minus the principal balances of all revolver loans after giving effect to such repurchases is equal to or greater than

20%

of the sum of the borrowing bases; or (b)

75%

of the consolidated net income of the Company measured on a trailing

twelve

month basis. In addition, immediately before and after giving effect to the Company’s stock repurchases, at least

12.5%

of the aggregate funds committed under the credit facilities must remain available. Thus, the Company is limited in its ability to pay dividends or make other distributions to its shareholders without the consent of the Company’s lenders.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of

three

months or less to be cash equivalents.

Financing Receivable [Policy Text Block]

Finance Receivables, Repossessions and Charge-offs and Allowance for Credit Losses

The Company originates installment sale contracts from the sale of used vehicles at its dealerships. These installment sale contracts carry an average interest rate of approximately

16.4%

using the simple effective interest method including any deferred fees. In

May 2016,

the Company increased its retail installment sales contract interest rate from

15.0%

16.5%

in response to continued high levels of credit losses. Contract origination costs are

not

significant. The installment sale contracts are

not

pre-computed contracts whereby borrowers are obligated to pay back principal plus the full amount of interest that will accrue over the entire term of the contract. Finance receivables are collateralized by vehicles sold and consist of contractually scheduled payments from installment contracts net of unearned finance charges and an allowance for credit losses. Unearned finance charges represent the balance of interest receivable to be earned over the entire term of the related installment contract, less the earned amount (

$2.6

million at

July 31, 2019

and

$2.3

million at

April 30, 2019

on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets), and as such, have been reflected as a reduction to the gross contract amount in arriving at the principal balance in finance receivables

An account is considered delinquent when the customer is

one

day or more behind on their contractual payments. While the Company does

not

formally place contracts on nonaccrual status, the immaterial amount of interest that

may

accrue after an account becomes delinquent up until the point of resolution via repossession or write-off is reserved for against the accrued interest on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Delinquent contracts are addressed and either made current by the customer, which is the case in most situations, or the vehicle is repossessed or written off if the collateral cannot be recovered quickly. Customer payments are set to match their payday with approximately

76%

of payments due on either a weekly or bi-weekly basis. The frequency of the payment due dates combined with the declining value of collateral lead to prompt resolutions on problem accounts. At

July 31, 2019,

3.8%

of the Company’s finance receivable balances were

days or more past due, compared to

3.5%

July 31, 2018.

Substantially all of the Company’s automobile contracts involve contracts made to individuals with impaired or limited credit histories or higher debt-to-income ratios than permitted by traditional lenders. Contracts made with buyers who are restricted in their ability to obtain financing from traditional lenders generally entail a higher risk of delinquency, default and repossession, and higher losses than contracts made with buyers with better credit.

The Company strives to keep its delinquency percentages low, and

not

to repossess vehicles. Accounts

three

days late are contacted by telephone. Notes from each telephone contact are electronically maintained in the Company’s computer system. The Company also utilizes text messaging notifications which allow customers to elect and receive reminders on their due dates and late notifications, if applicable. The Company attempts to resolve payment delinquencies amicably prior to repossessing a vehicle. If a customer becomes severely delinquent in his or her payments, and management determines that timely collection of future payments is

not

probable, the Company will take steps to repossess the vehicle.

Periodically, the Company enters into contract modifications with its customers to extend or modify the payment terms. The Company only enters into a contract modification or extension if it believes such action will increase the amount of monies the Company will ultimately realize on the customer’s account and will increase the likelihood of the customer being able to pay off the vehicle contract. At the time of modification, the Company expects to collect amounts due including accrued interest at the contractual interest rate for the period of delay.

other concessions are granted to customers, beyond the extension of additional time, at the time of modifications. Modifications are minor and are made for payday changes, minor vehicle repairs and other reasons. For those vehicles that are repossessed, the majority are returned or surrendered by the customer on a voluntary basis. Other repossessions are performed by Company personnel or

third

-party repossession agents. Depending on the condition of a repossessed vehicle, it is either resold on a retail basis through a Company dealership or sold for cash on a wholesale basis primarily through physical or online auctions.

Accounts are charged-off after the expiration of a statutory notice period for repossessed accounts, or when management determines that the timely collection of future payments is

not

probable for accounts where the Company has been unable to repossess the vehicle. For accounts with respect to which the vehicle was repossessed, the fair value of the repossessed vehicle is charged as a reduction of the gross finance receivables balance charged-off. For the quarter ended

July 31, 2019,

on average, accounts were approximately

days past due at the time of charge-off. For previously charged-off accounts that are subsequently recovered, the amount of such recovery is credited to the allowance for credit losses.

The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at a level it considers sufficient to cover estimated losses inherent in the portfolio at the balance sheet date in the collection of its finance receivables currently outstanding. At

July 31, 2019,

the weighted average total contract term was

32.1

months with

23.1

months remaining. The reserve amount in the allowance for credit losses at

July 31, 2019,

$129.5

million, was

24.5%

of the principal balance in finance receivables of

$561.1

million, less unearned payment protection plan revenue of

$21.8

million and unearned service contract revenue of

$10.7

million.

The estimated reserve amount is the Company’s anticipated future net charge-offs for losses incurred through the balance sheet date. The allowance takes into account historical credit loss experience (both timing and severity of losses), with consideration given to recent credit loss trends and changes in contract characteristics (i.e., average amount financed, months outstanding at loss date, term and age of portfolio), delinquency levels, collateral values, economic conditions and underwriting and collection practices. The allowance for credit losses is reviewed at least quarterly by management with any changes reflected in current operations. The calculation of the allowance for credit losses uses the following primary factors:

•

The number of units repossessed or charged-off as a percentage of total units financed over specific historical periods of time from

one

year to

five

years.

•

The average net repossession and charge-off loss per unit during the last

eighteen

months segregated by the number of months since the contract origination date and adjusted for the expected future average net charge-off loss per unit. About

50%

of the charge-offs that will ultimately occur in the portfolio are expected to occur within

months following the balance sheet date. The average age of an account at charge-off date for the

eighteen

-month period ended

July 31, 2019

was

12.5

months.

•

The timing of repossession and charge-off losses relative to the date of sale (i.e., how long it takes for a repossession or charge-off to occur) for repossessions and charge-offs occurring during the last

eighteen

months.

A point estimate is produced by this analysis which is then supplemented by any positive or negative subjective factors to arrive at an overall reserve amount that management considers to be a reasonable estimate of losses inherent in the portfolio at the balance sheet date that will be realized via actual charge-offs in the future. Although it is at least reasonably possible that events or circumstances could occur in the future that are

not

presently foreseen which could cause actual credit losses to be materially different from the recorded allowance for credit losses, the Company believes that it has given appropriate consideration to all relevant factors and has made reasonable assumptions in determining the allowance for credit losses. While challenging economic conditions can negatively impact credit losses, effective execution of internal policies and procedures within the collections area and the competitive environment on the funding side have historically had a more significant effect on collection results than macro-economic issues.

In most states, the Company offers retail customers who finance their vehicle the option of purchasing a payment protection plan product as an add-on to the installment sale contract. This product contractually obligates the Company to cancel the remaining principal outstanding for any contract where the retail customer has totaled the vehicle, as defined by the contract, or the vehicle has been stolen. The Company periodically evaluates anticipated losses to ensure that if anticipated losses exceed deferred payment protection plan revenues, an additional liability is recorded for such difference.

such liability was required at

July 31, 2019

April 30, 2019.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventory

Inventory consists of used vehicles and is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a specific identification basis. Vehicle reconditioning costs are capitalized as a component of inventory. Repossessed vehicles and trade-in vehicles are recorded at fair value, which approximates wholesale value. The cost of used vehicles sold is determined using the specific identification method.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

Goodwill reflects the excess of purchase price over the fair value of specifically identified net assets purchased. Goodwill and intangible assets deemed to have indefinite lives are

not

amortized but are subject to annual impairment tests at the Company’s year-end. The impairment tests are based on the comparison of the fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying value of such unit. There was

impairment of goodwill during fiscal

2019,

and to date, there has been

impairment during fiscal

2020.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for additions, remodels, and improvements are capitalized. Costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated life of the improvement or the lease period. The lease period includes the primary lease term plus any extensions that are reasonably assured. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method, generally over the following estimated useful lives:

Furniture, fixtures and equipment (years)	3	to	7
Leasehold improvements (years)	5	to	15
Buildings and improvements (years)	18	to	39

Property and equipment are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset

may

not

be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying values of the impaired assets exceed the fair value of such assets. Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Cash Overdraft [Policy Text Block]

Cash Overdraft

As checks are presented for payment from the Company’s primary disbursement bank account, monies are automatically drawn against cash collections for the day and, if necessary, are drawn against

one

of the revolving credit facilities. Any cash overdraft balance principally represents outstanding checks that as of the balance sheet date had

not

yet been presented for payment, net of any deposits in transit. Any cash overdraft balance is reflected in accrued liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Deferred Sales Tax [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Sales Tax

Deferred sales tax represents a sales tax liability of the Company for vehicles sold on an installment basis in the states of Alabama and Texas. Under Alabama and Texas law for vehicles sold on an installment basis, the related sales tax is due as the payments are collected from the customer, rather than at the time of sale. Deferred sales tax liabilities are reflected in accrued liabilities on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which these differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The quarterly provision for income taxes is determined using an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual taxable income, statutory tax rates and the Company’s best estimate of nontaxable and nondeductible items of income and expense. The effective income tax rates were

21.8%

and

17.1%

for the

three

months ended

July 31, 2019

and

July 31, 2018,

respectively. Total income tax expense for the

three

months ended

July 31, 2019

differed from amounts computed by applying the United States federal statutory tax rates to pre-tax income primarily due to state income taxes and the impact of permanent differences between book and taxable income. The Company recorded a discrete income tax benefit of approximately

$276,000

and

$943,000

for the

three

months ended

July 31, 2019

and

July 31, 2018,

respectively, related to excess tax benefits on share based compensation, which is recorded in the income tax provision pursuant to ASU

2016

09,

which was adopted on

May 1, 2017.

December 22, 2017,

President Trump signed into law the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (the "Tax Act"). The Tax Act includes significant changes to the U.S. tax code that affected our fiscal year ending

April 30, 2018,

and future periods. Changes in the tax laws from the Tax Act had a material impact on our financial statements in fiscal

2018.

Under generally accepted accounting principles, ("U.S. GAAP") specifically ASC Topic

740,

Income Taxes, the tax effects of changes in tax laws must be recognized in the period in which the law is enacted, or

December 22, 2017,

for the Tax Act. ASC

740

also requires deferred tax assets and liabilities to be measured at the enacted tax rate expected to apply when temporary differences are to be realized or settled. Thus, at the date of enactment, the Company’s deferred taxes were re-measured based upon the new tax rates. The change in deferred taxes was recorded as an adjustment to our deferred tax provision. The Tax Act reduced the corporate tax rate from

35%

21%,

effective

January 1, 2018.

Occasionally, the Company is audited by taxing authorities. These audits could result in proposed assessments of additional taxes. The Company believes that its tax positions comply in all material respects with applicable tax law. However, tax law is subject to interpretation, and interpretations by taxing authorities could be different from those of the Company, which could result in the imposition of additional taxes.

The Company recognizes 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

threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than

percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company applies this methodology to all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remains open.

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, the Company is

longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before fiscal

2016.

The Company’s policy is to recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses. The Company had

accrued penalties or interest as of

July 31, 2019

April 30, 2019.

Revenue [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are generated principally from the sale of used vehicles, which in most cases includes a service contract and a payment protection plan product, interest income and late fees earned on finance receivables. Revenues are net of taxes collected from customers and remitted to government agencies. Cost of vehicle sales include costs incurred by the Company to prepare the vehicle for sale including license and title costs, gasoline, transport services, and repairs.

Revenues from the sale of used vehicles are recognized when the sales contract is signed, the customer has taken possession of the vehicle and, if applicable, financing has been approved. Revenues from the sale of vehicles sold at wholesale are recognized at the time the proceeds are received. Revenues from the sale of service contracts are recognized ratably over the expected duration of the product. Service contract revenues are included in sales and the related expenses are included in cost of sales. Payment protection plan revenues are initially deferred and then recognized to income using the “Rule of

78’s”

interest method over the life of the contract so that revenues are recognized in proportion to the amount of cancellation protection provided. Payment protection plan revenues are included in sales and related losses are included in cost of sales as incurred. Interest income is recognized on all active finance receivables accounts using the simple effective interest method. Active accounts include all accounts except those that have been paid-off or charged-off.

Sales consist of the following:

	Three Months Ended July 31,
(In thousands)	2019		2018

Sales – used autos	$	129,454	$	125,224
Wholesales – third party		7,181		6,052
Service contract sales		7,470		7,328
Payment protection plan revenue		5,969		5,497

Total	$	150,074	$	144,101

July 31, 2019

and

2018,

finance receivables more than

days past due were approximately

$2.0

million and

$1.6

million, respectively. Late fee revenues totaled approximately

$485,000

and

$446,000

for the

three

months ended

July 31, 2019

and

2018,

respectively. Late fees are recognized when collected and are reflected in interest and other income on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The amount of revenue recognized for the

three

months ended

July 31, 2019

that was included in the

April 30, 2019

deferred service contract revenue was

$5.3

million.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive common stock equivalents. The calculation of diluted earnings per share takes into consideration the potentially dilutive effect of common stock equivalents, such as outstanding stock options and non-vested restricted stock, which if exercised or converted into common stock would then share in the earnings of the Company. In computing diluted earnings per share, the Company utilizes the treasury stock method and anti-dilutive securities are excluded.

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments, such as stock options and restricted stock, based on the fair value of those awards at the date of grant over the requisite service period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards. The Company

may

issue either new shares or treasury shares upon exercise of these awards. Stock-based compensation plans, related expenses, and assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option pricing model are more fully described in Note I. If an award contains a performance condition, expense is recognized only for those shares for which it is considered reasonably probable as of the current period end that the performance condition will be met. In

March 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

2016

09,

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

, to simplify the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The Company adopted the guidance prospectively on

May 1, 2017.

The Company recorded a discrete income tax benefit of approximately

$276,000

and

$943,000

for the

three

months ended

July 31, 2019

and

July 31, 2018,

respectively. In connection with the adoption, we elected to account for forfeitures as they occur; previously, we were required to record stock compensation expense based on awards that were expected to vest, which had required us to apply an estimated forfeiture rate. The differential between the amount of compensation previously recorded and the amount that would have been recorded, if we did

not

assume a forfeiture rate, was

not

material to our consolidated financial statements. Also, in connection with the adoption, the Company now records any excess tax benefits or deficiencies from its equity awards in its Consolidated Statements of Operations in the reporting period in which the exercise occurs. As a result, going forward, the Company’s income tax expenses and associated effective tax rate will be impacted by fluctuations in stock price between the grant dates and exercise dates of equity awards.

Treasury Stock [Policy Text Block]

Treasury Stock

Treasury stock

may

be used for issuances under the Company’s stock-based compensation plans or for other general corporate purposes. The Company has a reserve account of

10,000

shares of treasury stock to secure outstanding service contracts issued in Iowa in accordance with the regulatory requirements of that state and another reserve account of

14,000

shares of treasury stock for its subsidiary, ACM Insurance Company, in accordance with the requirements of the Arkansas Department of Insurance.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Occasionally, new accounting pronouncements are issued by the FASB or other standard setting bodies which the Company will adopt as of the specified effective date. Unless otherwise discussed, the Company believes the implementation of recently issued standards which are

not

yet effective will

not

have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

Leases

. In

February 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

2016

02,

Leases

. The new guidance requires that lessees recognize all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than

months on-balance sheet and also requires disclosure of key information about leasing transactions. The guidance in ASU

2016

is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after

December 15, 2018,

and interim reporting periods within those years. The Company adopted this ASU and related amendments for its fiscal year beginning

May 1, 2019

and elected certain practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, including to retain the historical lease classification as well as relief from reviewing expired or existing contracts to determine if they contain leases. The adoption of this ASU and related amendments resulted in total assets and liabilities increasing

$34.5

million. The Company’s Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows were

not

materially impacted.

Credit Losses

. In

June 2016,

the FASB issued ASU

2016

13,

Financial Instruments

—

Credit Losses

(Topic

326

). ASU

2016

requires financial assets such as loans to be presented net of an allowance for credit losses that reduces the cost basis to the amount expected to be collected over the estimated life. Expected credit losses will be measured based on historical experience and current conditions, as well as forecasts of future conditions that affect the collectability of the reported amount. ASU

2016

is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after

December 15, 2019,

and interim reporting periods within those years using a modified retrospective approach. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effects of the adoption of this guidance on the consolidated financial statements but does

not

expect such impact to be material.

Cloud Computing Arrangement

. In

August 2018,

the FASB issued ASU

2018

15,

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software

(Subtopic

350

). ASU

2018

aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in a cloud computing arrangement with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU

2018

is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after

December 15, 2019,

and interim reporting periods within those years. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effects of the adoption of this guidance on the consolidated financial statements but does

not

expect such impact to be material.