Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | B Summary of Significant Accounting Policies General The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of April 30, 2024, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed financial statements as of October 31, 2024 and 2023, have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the six months ended October 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending April 30, 2025. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2024. 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. Going Concern and Liquidity In accordance with ASC 205-40, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern Though substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern has been raised due to the upcoming maturity of the revolving credit facility, the Company maintains strong banking relationships. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, the Company entered into its first warehouse agreement and executed the 7th amendment on the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement. The 8th Amendment to the Third Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement was executed in the second quarter of this fiscal year. The Company has initiated discussions with the lending group to begin the process for the extension of the revolver. The commencement of these discussions, along with the recently executed agreements and amendments, demonstrate the Company’s strong banking relationship and indicate that refinancing before maturity is probable of being implemented. Management believes the ability to issue the asset backed non-recourse securities is sufficient to allow the Company to meet its obligations as they become due for a period of at least 12 months from the issuance of these financial statements. Additionally, management believes that the implementation of the refinancing of the revolving line of credit will strengthen the Company’s financial position. Management believes that the plans are probable and have alleviated the substantial doubt regarding the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. 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 individual dealership is 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 Reclassifications Accident protection plan (“APP”) reserves in the amount of approximately $11.7 million for the three months ended July 31, 2023 and wholesales sales of $3.0 million for the six months ended October 31, 2023 in the prior year financial statements were reclassified to conform with the current year presentation. APP reserves of $5.8 million were reclassed out of accrued liabilities to reserve against finance receivables and $5.9 million of estimated APP insurance receivables were reclassed out of finance receivables to prepaid expenses and other assets for the three months ended July 31, 2023. $1.2 million and $1.8 million of wholesales sales were reclassed out of wholesales – third party sales to cost of goods sold for the three months ended July 31, 2023 and October 31, 2023, respectively. The reclassification had no effect on the prior year net income or shareholder’s equity. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) 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 the Company’s allowance for credit losses. Change in Accounting Estimate During the second quarter of 2024, the Company refined its accounting estimate with respect to its service contracts. The Company previously recognized deferred service contract revenue over the term associated with the service contract. The service contract is completed once a customer has (a) incurred the designated mileage or (b) the contract has surpassed the designated years. Management performed an analysis to determine when its performance obligations were being met and determined that its customers are reaching the mileage limit prior to reaching the maximum time duration of the service contracts. As such, management has determined that service contract revenue should be recognized over a 9 month term for each 12,000 miles, which would effectively result in a 25% acceleration of the timing of revenue recognition prospectively. The impact to revenue recognized for service contracts in the second quarter of 2024 is $13.2 million, $7.1 million net of tax, or $0.85 increase to diluted earnings per share ($0.87 increase to basic earnings per share). 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, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas, with approximately 28% of current period revenues resulting from sales to Arkansas customers. As of October 31, 2024, and periodically throughout the period, the Company maintained cash in financial institutions in excess of the amounts insured by the federal government. The cash is held in several highly rated banking institutions. The Company regularly monitors its counterparty credit risk and mitigates exposure by limiting the amount it invests in one institution. Restrictions on Distributions / Dividends The Company’s revolving credit facilities generally restrict distributions by the Company to its shareholders. On September 16, 2024, the Company entered into an amendment to its revolving credit facilities that, among other things, restricts the Company from future repurchases of the Company’s stock. See Note F for additional information on this amendment to the revolving credit facilities. As of October 31, 2024, the Company may not repurchase shares of the Company’s stock (other than receiving shares surrendered to pay the exercise price or tax withholding in connection with equity-based awards issued under the Company’s equity incentive plans), pay dividends or make other distributions to its shareholders without the consent of the Company’s lenders. Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Restricted Cash Restricted cash is related to the financing and securitization transaction discussed below and is held by the securitization trusts. Restricted cash from collections on auto finance receivables for non-recourse notes includes collections of principal, interest, and late fee payments on auto finance receivables that are restricted for payment to holders of non-recourse notes payable pursuant to the applicable agreements. The restricted cash on deposit in reserve accounts is for the benefit of holders of non-recourse notes payable and these funds are not expected to be available to the Company or its creditors. If the cash generated by the related receivables in a given period was insufficient to pay the interest, principal, and other required payments, the balances on deposit in the reserve accounts would be used to pay those amounts. Restricted cash consisted of the following at October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024: (In thousands) October 31, 2024 April 30, 2024 Restricted cash from collections on auto finance receivables for non-recourse notes payable $ 63,993 $ 43,956 Restricted cash on deposit in reserve accounts for non-recourse notes payable 57,685 44,969 Restricted Cash $ 121,678 $ 88,925 Financing, Securitization, and Warehouse Transactions The Company utilizes term securitizations to provide long-term funding for a portion of the auto finance receivables initially funded through the debt facilities. In these transactions, a pool of auto finance receivables is sold to a special purpose entity that, in turn, transfers the receivables to a special purpose trust. The trust issues asset-backed securities, secured by the transferred receivables, and the proceeds from the sale of the asset-backed securities are used to purchase the receivables. The Company recognizes transfers of auto finance receivables into the term securitization as secured borrowings, recording the auto finance receivables and the related non-recourse notes payable on our consolidated balance sheet. These auto finance receivables can only be used as collateral to settle obligations of the related non-recourse notes payable until the issued notes are repaid in full. The term securitization investors have no recourse to the Company’s assets beyond the related auto finance receivables, the amounts on deposit in the reserve account, and the cash from collections on auto finance receivables. The Company’s principal operating subsidiary and a newly formed affiliate also entered into a loan and security agreement in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 under which the Company’s affiliate borrowed $150 million through an amortizing warehouse loan facility collateralized by certain additional auto finance receivables originated by the Company’s operating subsidiaries. Under the loan and security agreement, the warehouse lender had recourse against the Company for up to 10% of the aggregate amount borrowed under the facility. The Company paid off the warehouse facility in October 2024. No debt was outstanding under the warehouse loan facility as of October 31, 2024. See Notes C and F for additional information on auto finance receivables, non-recourse notes payable and warehouse loan facility. The Company carries the debt from the term securitization trusts on its balance sheet in recognition of the Company’s residual economic interest in the receivable pools for each transaction. The Company or one of its subsidiaries serves as the servicer for each securitization, managing collection activities in the same manner as it does with its overall portfolio of receivables. The overcollateralization in each financing serves to absorb credit losses (subject to limitations) and the Company receives remaining assets of the trust upon repayment in full of the related indebtedness. 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 a weighted average interest rate of approximately 17.5% using the simple effective interest method including any deferred fees. During the third quarter of the 2024 fiscal year, the Company increased the interest rate on new originations of installment sale contracts to 18.25% (from 18.0%) in all states except Arkansas (which originate at 16.75%), Illinois (which originate at 19.5% - 21.5%) and acquired dealerships in Tennessee (which originate at up to 23.0%). Contract origination costs are not significant. The installment sale contracts are structured to have variable payments 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 to be collected represent the balance of interest receivable to be earned over the remaining term of the related installment contract, 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 78% 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. On October 31, 2024, 3.5% of the Company’s finance receivable balances were 30 days or more past due, compared to 3.1% at April 30, 2024. Substantially all of the Company’s installment sale 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. At the time of originating an installment sale contract, the Company requires customers to meet certain criteria that demonstrate their intent and ability to pay for the financed principal and interest on the vehicle they are purchasing. However, the Company recognizes that their customer base is at a higher risk of default given their impaired or limited credit histories. The Company strives to keep its delinquency percentages low, and not to repossess vehicles. Accounts one to three days late are contacted by telephone or text messaging notifications. Notes from each contact are electronically maintained in the Company’s computer system. The Company also utilizes text messaging notifications that allow customers the option to receive due date reminders 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 money the Company will ultimately realize on the customer’s account and will increase the likelihood of the customer being able to pay off the installment sale 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. No 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. The Company takes steps to repossess a vehicle when the customer becomes delinquent in his or her payments and management determines that timely collection of future payments is not probable. 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. On average, accounts are approximately 69 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 amount of the net repossession and charge-off loss is also reduced by any deferred service contract and accident protection plan revenue at the time of charge-off. The quantitative portion of the Company’s allowance for credit losses is measured using an undiscounted cash flow (“CF”) model whereby the undiscounted cash flows are adjusted by a prepayment rate and then the loss rate is applied and compared to the amortized cost basis of finance receivables to reflect management’s estimate of expected credit losses. The CF model is based on installment sale contract level characteristics of the Company’s finance receivables, such as the contractual payment structure, maturity date, payment frequency for recurring payments, and interest rates, as well as the following assumptions: ● a historical loss period, which represents a full economic credit cycle utilizing loss experience, to calculate the historical loss rate; and ● static annualized historical rate based on average time of charge-off; and ● expected prepayment rates based on our historical experience, which also incorporates non-standard contractual payments such as down payments made during the first ninety-days or annual seasonal payments. The Company’s allowance for credit losses also considers qualitative factors not captured within the CF modeled results such as changes in underwriting and collection practices, economic trends, changes in volume and terms of installment sales contracts, credit quality trends, installment sale contract review results, collateral trends, and concentrations of credit. The Company’s qualitative factors incorporate a macroeconomic variable forecast of inflation over a reasonable and supportable forecast period of one year that affects its customers’ non-discretionary income and ability to repay. The reasonable and supportable forecast period of one year is based on management’s current review of the reliability of extended forecasts and is applied as an adjustment to the historical loss rate. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses on an aggregate basis at an amount it considers sufficient to cover net credit losses expected over the remaining life of the installment sales contracts in the portfolio at the measurement date. At October 31, 2024, the weighted average total contract term was 48.2 months, with 35.9 months remaining. The allowance for credit losses at October 31, 2024, $336.7 million, was 24.72% of the principal balance in finance receivables of $1.5 billion, less deferred APP revenue of $51.0 million and deferred service contract revenue of $55.6 million, less pending APP claims of $5.3 million. The allowance for credit losses is periodically reviewed by management with any changes reflected in current operations. In most states, the Company offers retail customers who finance their vehicle the option of purchasing an accident 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’s vehicle is totaled, as defined by the product, or the vehicle has been stolen. The Company periodically evaluates anticipated losses to ensure that if anticipated losses exceed deferred accident protection plan revenues, an additional liability is recorded for such difference. At October 31, 2024, anticipated losses did not exceed deferred accident protection plan revenues. 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 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 qualitative 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. The implied goodwill is compared to the carrying value of the goodwill to determine the impairment, if any. During the six months ended October 31, 2024, the Company evaluated goodwill and recorded an immaterial impairment of $83,000 due to the closure of an acquired dealership location in the first quarter of fiscal year 2024. The Company also recorded an $8.5 million increase to goodwill due to the acquisition of Texas Auto Center in the first quarter of fiscal year 2025. Goodwill totaled $22.9 million at October 31, 2024 and $14.4 million at April 30, 2024. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. 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 principally using the straight-line method generally over the following estimated useful lives: Furniture, fixtures and equipment 3 to 7 years Leasehold improvements 5 to 15 years Buildings and improvements 18 to 39 years Long-Lived Assets Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, capitalized internal-use software and operating lease right-of-use assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset or asset group be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by that asset or asset group to its carrying value. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, such assets are considered to be impaired, and the impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment charges recognized during any of the periods presented. Cloud Computing Implementation Costs The Company enters into cloud computing service contracts to support its sales, inventory management, and administrative activities. The Company capitalizes certain implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements that meet the definition of a service contract. The Company includes these capitalized implementation costs within prepaid expenses and other assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Once placed in service, the Company amortizes these costs over the remaining subscription term to the same caption on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations as the related cloud subscription. Capitalized implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements accounted for as service contracts were $19.7 million and $16.7 million as of October 31, 2024 and April 30, 2024, respectively. Accumulated amortization of capitalized implementation costs for these arrangements was $1.1 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024 and $48,000 for the same period in the prior year. 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, net of any deposits in transit 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 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 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 basis 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 30.3% and 23.4% for the six months ended October 31, 2024 and October 31, 2023, respectively. Total income tax expense for the six months ended October 31, 2024 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 did not 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 50 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 no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before fiscal 2021. 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 no Revenue Recognition Revenues are generated principally from the sale of used vehicles, which in most cases includes a service contract and an accident protection plan product, as well as 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. As discussed in Change in Accounting Estimate, beginning in the quarter ended October 31, 2024, revenues from the sale of service contracts are recognized ratably over a nine Sales for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended (In thousands) 2024 2023 2024 2023 Sales – used autos $ 237,787 $ 261,335 $ 489,092 $ 534,803 Wholesales – third party 9,674 11,787 19,370 22,992 Service contract sales 29,548 17,649 46,620 33,996 Accident protection plan revenue 8,765 9,629 17,940 18,946 Total $ 285,774 $ 300,400 $ 573,022 $ 610,737 At October 31, 2024 and 2023, finance receivables more than 90 days past due were approximately $6.3 million and $7.4 million, respectively. Late fee revenues totaled approximately $1.3 million and $2.5 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2024, respectively. Late fee revenues totaled approximately $1.2 million and $2.4 million for the three and six months ended October 31, 2023, 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 six months ended October 31, 2024 that was included in the April 30, 2024 deferred service contract revenue was $22.6 million. Earnings (Loss) per Share Basic earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share are computed by dividing net income (loss) 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. 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 |