Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 09, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	LendingTree, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001434621
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2014
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 186,884,728
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		11,446,513

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 167,350	$ 139,240	$ 77,443
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)	7,903	6,542	4,295
Selling and marketing expense	112,704	91,121	48,934
General and administrative expense	25,883	24,658	22,231
Product development	7,457	5,264	3,529
Depreciation	3,245	3,501	4,105
Amortization of intangibles	136	147	358
Restructuring and severance	373	159	(57)
Litigation settlements and contingencies	10,618	8,955	(3,101)
Total costs and expenses	168,319	140,347	80,294
Operating loss	(969)	(1,107)	(2,851)
Other expense:
Interest expense	(2)	(19)	(881)
Loss before income taxes	(971)	(1,126)	(3,732)
Income tax benefit	484	453	1,483
Loss from continuing operations	(487)	(673)	(2,249)
Discontinued operations:
Gain from sale of discontinued operations, net of tax	0	9,561	24,373
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax	9,849	(4,941)	24,501
Income from discontinued operations	9,849	4,620	48,874
Net income and comprehensive income	9,362	3,947	46,625
Comprehensive income	$ 9,362	$ 3,947	$ 46,625
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Weighted average basic common shares (in shares)	11,188	11,035	10,695
Weighted average diluted common shares (in shares)	11,188	11,035	10,695
Loss per share from continuing operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.21)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (0.04)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.21)
Income per share from discontinued operations:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.42	$ 4.57
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.88	$ 0.42	$ 4.57
Net income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.36	$ 4.36
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.84	$ 0.36	$ 4.36

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 86,212	$ 91,667
Restricted cash and cash equivalents	18,716	26,017
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $349 and $408, respectively	13,611	12,850
Prepaid and other current assets	931	1,689
Current assets of discontinued operations	189	521
Total current assets	119,659	132,744
Property and equipment, net	5,257	5,344
Goodwill	3,632	3,632
Intangible assets, net	11,141	10,684
Other non-current assets	102	111
Non-current assets of discontinued operations	100	129
Total assets	139,891	152,644
LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable, trade	1,060	4,881
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	25,521	23,314
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	12,055	32,004
Total current liabilities	38,636	60,199
Other non-current liabilities	0	334
Deferred income taxes	4,738	4,849
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations	151	254
Total liabilities	43,525	65,636
Commitments and contingencies
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding	0	0
Common stock $.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 12,854,517 and 12,619,835 shares issued, respectively, and 11,386,240 and 11,250,903 shares outstanding, respectively	129	126
Additional paid-in capital	909,751	907,148
Accumulated deficit	(798,171)	(807,533)
Treasury stock 1,468,277 and 1,368,932 shares, respectively	(15,343)	(12,733)
Total shareholders' equity	96,366	87,008
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 139,891	$ 152,644

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance	$ 349	$ 408
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, authorized shares	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, issued shares	0	0
Preferred stock, outstanding shares	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, authorized shares	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, issued shares	12,854,517	12,619,835
Common stock, outstanding shares	11,386,240	11,250,903
Treasury stock, shares	1,468,277	1,368,932

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Total	Comprehensive Income	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Deficit	Treasury Stock
Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 45,471		$ 118	$ 911,990	$ (858,105)	$ (8,532)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2011			11,826,000			1,123,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income and comprehensive income	46,625	46,625			46,625
Non-cash compensation	4,756			4,756
Purchase of treasury stock	(880)					(880)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	65,218					65,000
Dividends	(12,236)			(12,236)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(814)		4	(818)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes (in shares)			369,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	82,922		122	903,692	(811,480)	(9,412)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2012			12,195,000			1,188,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income and comprehensive income	3,947	3,947			3,947
Non-cash compensation	5,629			5,629
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,321)					(3,321)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	180,453					181,000
Dividends	637			637
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(2,806)		4	(2,810)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes (in shares)			425,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013	87,008		126	907,148	(807,533)	(12,733)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2013			12,620,000			1,369,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income and comprehensive income	9,362	9,362			9,362
Non-cash compensation	7,446			7,446
Purchase of treasury stock	(2,610)					(2,610)
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)	99,345					99,000
Dividends	(28)			(28)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes	(4,812)		3	(4,815)
Issuance of common stock for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, net of withholding taxes (in shares)			235,000
Balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 96,366		$ 129	$ 909,751	$ (798,171)	$ (15,343)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014			12,855,000			1,468,000

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Net income and comprehensive income	$ 9,362	$ 3,947	$ 46,625
Less: Income from discontinued operations, net of tax	(9,849)	(4,620)	(48,874)
Loss from continuing operations	(487)	(673)	(2,249)
Adjustments to reconcile loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities attributable to continuing operations:
Loss on disposal of fixed assets	282	165	747
Impairment of long-lived assets	805	0	0
Amortization of intangibles	136	147	358
Depreciation	3,245	3,501	4,105
Non-cash compensation expense	7,446	5,627	4,587
Deferred income taxes	106	64	(92)
Bad debt expense (benefit)	206	248	(4)
Changes in current assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(1,228)	(3,614)	(6,011)
Prepaid and other current assets	(84)	(170)	620
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(1,935)	6,157	(6,123)
Income taxes payable	740	(610)	(98)
Other, net	(157)	(604)	(562)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities attributable to continuing operations	9,075	10,238	(4,722)
Cash flows from investing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Capital expenditures	(3,856)	(2,750)	(2,632)
Acquisition of a business	(740)	0	0
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash	7,300	3,397	(1,085)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities attributable to continuing operations	2,704	647	(3,717)
Cash flows from financing activities attributable to continuing operations:
Payments related to net-share settlement of stock -based compensation, net of proceeds from exercise of stock options	(4,812)	(2,806)	(815)
Purchase of treasury stock	(2,610)	(3,321)	(879)
Dividends	(229)	144	(11,428)
Decrease in restricted cash	0	0	1,199
Net cash used in financing activities attributable to continuing operations	(7,651)	(5,983)	(11,923)
Total cash provided by (used in) continuing operations	4,128	4,902	(20,362)
Discontinued operations:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities attributable to discontinued operations	(9,583)	(3,425)	226,747
Net cash provided by investing activities attributable to discontinued operations	0	10,000	25,923
Net cash used in financing activities attributable to discontinued operations	0	0	(197,659)
Total cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations	(9,583)	6,575	55,011
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(5,455)	11,477	34,649
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	91,667	80,190	45,541
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	86,212	91,667	80,190
Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest	2	19	1,308
Income tax payments	3	654	1,238
Income tax refunds	$ (779)	$ (4)	$ (25)

ORGANIZATION	12 Months Ended
ORGANIZATION	Dec. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
ORGANIZATION	ORGANIZATION Company Overview LendingTree, Inc. ("LendingTree" or the "Company"), formerly known as Tree.com, Inc., is the parent of LendingTree, LLC and several companies owned by LendingTree, LLC. LendingTree operates what it believes to be the leading online loan marketplace for consumers seeking a broad array of loan types and other credit-based offerings. The Company offers consumers tools and resources, including free credit scores, that help them to comparison-shop for mortgage loans, home equity loans and lines of credit, reverse mortgages, personal loans, auto loans, student loans, credit cards, small business loans and other related offerings. The Company seeks to match in-market consumers with multiple lenders on its marketplace who can provide them with competing quotes for the loans or credit-based offerings they are seeking. The Company also serves as a valued partner to lenders seeking an efficient, scalable and flexible source of customer acquisition with directly measurable benefits, by matching the consumer inquiries it generates with these lenders. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of LendingTree and all its wholly-owned entities. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. Certain amounts from the prior consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year. Spin-Off On August 20, 2008, LendingTree was spun off from its parent company, IAC/InterActiveCorp ("IAC"), into a separate publicly-traded company. In connection with the spin-off, LendingTree was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in April 2008. Discontinued Operations The businesses of RealEstate.com, REALTORS® (which represent the former Real Estate segment) and LendingTree Loans are presented as discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and consolidated cash flows for all periods presented. The notes accompanying these consolidated financial statements reflect the Company's continuing operations and, unless otherwise noted, exclude information related to the discontinued operations. See Note 15 —Discontinued Operations for additional information. Basis of Presentation The accompanying consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenue primarily from match fees, which are earned through the delivery of qualified leads that originated through one of its websites or affiliates. The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is deemed to have occurred at the time a qualified lead is delivered to the customer, provided that no significant obligations remain.

The Company also derives revenues from lenders for closing fees on certain auto, business and personal loan products when a transaction is closed with the consumer. Closed loan fees and closed sale fees are recognized at the time the lender reports the closed loan or closed sale to the Company, which could be several months after the original request form is transmitted.

Prior to January 2013, the Company also derived revenue from lenders for closing fees on home equity loan products, which were recognized in the same manner as the closed loan fees on its auto loan products.

In addition, during the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized approximately $0.6 million and $1.9 million of revenue, respectively, from marketing-related services provided to Discover Bank ("Discover"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Discover Financial Services. Revenue from these services was recognized in the period the services were provided. See Note 15—Discontinued Operations for additional information.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and short-term, highly liquid money market investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Restricted Cash

Cash escrowed or contractually restricted for a specific purpose is designated as restricted cash.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts.

The Company determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, previous loss history and the specific customer's current ability to pay its obligation. Accounts receivable are considered past due when they are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms. Accounts receivable are written off when management deems them uncollectible.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Balance, beginning of the period	$	408		$	503		$	86
Charges to earnings	206			248			406
Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable	(265		)	(343		)	11
Balance, end of the period	$	349		$	408		$	503

Loan Loss Obligations (Discontinued Operations)

The Company's Home Loan Center, Inc. ("HLC") subsidiary, which during its period of active operation primarily conducted business as LendingTree Loans, sold loans it originated to investors on a servicing-released basis and the risk of loss or default by the borrower was generally transferred to the investor. However, LendingTree Loans was required by these investors to make certain representations relating to credit information, loan documentation and collateral. To the extent LendingTree Loans did not comply with such representations or there are early payment defaults, LendingTree Loans may be required to repurchase loans or indemnify the investors for any losses from borrower defaults. LendingTree Loans maintains a liability for the estimated exposure relating to such contingent obligations and changes to the estimate are recorded in income from discontinued operations in the periods they occur.

The Company estimates the liability for loan losses using a settlement discount framework. This approach estimates the lifetime losses on the population of remaining loans originated and sold by LendingTree Loans using actual defaults for loans with similar characteristics and projected future defaults. It also considers the likelihood of claims expected due to alleged breaches of representations and warranties made by LendingTree Loans and the percentage of those claims investors estimate LendingTree Loans may agree to repurchase. The Company then applies a settlement discount factor to the result of the foregoing to reflect publicly announced bulk settlements for similar loan types and vintages, the Company's own settlement experience, as well as LendingTree Loans' non-operating status, in order to estimate a range of potential liability. Changes to any one of these factors could significantly impact the estimate of the liability and could have a material impact on the Company's results of operations for any particular period. See Note 15—Discontinued Operations—LendingTree Loans—Loan Loss Obligations for additional information on the loan loss reserve.

Segment Reporting

The Company has four operating segments: lending, auto, education and home services. The lending operating segment is in the Company's core business of lead generation in the lending marketplace, matching consumers looking for lending products with marketplace lenders. Similarly, the auto, education and home services businesses match consumers with auto financing providers and dealers, prospective students with educational institutions and agencies, and homeowners with home improvement professionals, respectively.

The Company's review of these operating segments at December 31, 2014 indicates that only its lending operating segment meets the quantitative threshold to be reported as a reportable segment.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment, including internally-developed software and significant improvements, are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance and any gains or losses on dispositions are recognized as incurred in current operations.

Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis to allocate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives. The following table presents the estimated useful lives for each asset category:



Asset Category	Estimated Useful Lives
Computer equipment and capitalized software	1 to 5 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of asset life or life of lease
Furniture and other equipment	3 to 7 years

Software Development Costs

Software development costs primarily include internal and external labor expenses incurred to develop the software that powers the Company's websites. Certain costs incurred during the application development stage are capitalized based on specific activities tracked on internal time sheets and external invoices (or time sheets), while costs incurred during the preliminary project stage and post-implementation/operation stage are expensed as incurred. Capitalized software development costs are amortized over an estimated useful life of one to three years.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

Goodwill acquired in business combinations is assigned to the reporting units that are expected to benefit from the combination as of the acquisition date. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, primarily the Company's trade names and trademarks, are not amortized. Rather, these assets are tested annually for impairment as of October 1, or more frequently upon the occurrence of certain events or substantive changes in circumstances.

Goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. The first step is to compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. In performing the first step, the Company determines the fair value of its reporting units by using a market approach and a discounted cash flow ("DCF") analysis. Determining fair value using a DCF analysis requires the exercise of significant judgments, including judgments about appropriate discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is not required. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is required to be performed to measure the amount of impairment, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit's goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets involves a comparison of the estimated fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The estimates of fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets are determined using a DCF valuation analysis that employs a relief-from-royalty methodology in estimating the fair value of trade names and trademarks. Significant judgments inherent in this analysis include the determination of royalty rates, discount rates, perpetual growth rates and the amount and timing of future revenues.

For the October 1, 2014 annual impairment test of goodwill, the fair value of the lending reporting unit was estimated using a DCF analysis and a market comparable method, with each method being equally weighted in the calculation. Results of the October 1, 2014 annual impairment test for goodwill and the indefinite-lived intangible assets indicated that no impairments had occurred.

Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

Long-lived assets include property and equipment and intangible assets with definite lives. Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is recorded on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives.

Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. If the carrying amount is deemed to not be recoverable, an impairment loss is recorded as the amount by which the carrying amount of the long-lived asset exceeds its fair value.

During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company lost key customers and experienced a decline in revenue for a certain product included within the Education business. Accordingly, in early 2015, the Company amended its strategic course for this product, resulting in a reduction in anticipated future cash flows. At December 31, 2014, the Company reviewed the long-lived assets associated with this product for recoverability, resulting in an impairment charge to customer lists and internally developed software of approximately $0.8 million. The fair value of the long-lived assets was determined using a discounted cash flow model. The impairment charge is included in general and administrative expense on the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income and the "Other" category in the reconciliation of segment information in Note 16—Segment Information.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company categorizes its assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the assumptions used in pricing the asset or liability into the following three levels:


•	Level 1: Observable inputs, such as quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets obtained from independent sources.


•	Level 2: Other inputs that are observable directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data.


•	Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data and which require the Company to develop its own assumptions, based on the best information available under the circumstances, about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The Company's non-financial assets, such as goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment are measured at fair value when there is an indicator of impairment and recorded at fair value only when an impairment charge is recognized. Such fair value measurements are based predominantly on Level 3 inputs. As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the carrying value of all of the Company's financial instruments are equal to the fair value.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue consists primarily of expenses associated with compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) related to customer call centers, credit scoring fees and website network hosting and server fees.

Product Development

Product development expense consists primarily of compensation and other employee-related costs (including stock-based compensation) for personnel engaged in the design, development, testing and enhancement of technology that are not capitalized.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed in the period incurred (except for production costs which are initially capitalized and then recognized as expense when the advertisement first runs) and principally represent offline costs, including television, print and radio advertising, and online advertising costs, including fees paid to search engines and distribution partners. Advertising expense was $102.2 million, $80.7 million and $40.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in selling and marketing expense on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method, and deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events are considered. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Interest is recorded on potential tax contingencies as a component of income tax expense and recorded net of any applicable related income tax benefit. During 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company reported losses from continuing operations and income from discontinued operations. As a result, the Company followed the accounting guidance prescribed in ASC 740-20-45-7, which provides an exception to the "with" and "without" approach to intraperiod tax allocation for determination of the amount of tax benefit to allocate to continuing operations in such circumstances.

In accordance with the accounting standard for uncertainty in income taxes, liabilities for uncertain tax positions are recognized based on the two-step process prescribed by the accounting standards. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Stock-Based Compensation

The forms of stock-based awards granted to LendingTree employees are principally restricted stock units ("RSUs"), stock options and restricted stock. RSUs are awards in the form of units, denominated in a hypothetical equivalent number of shares of LendingTree common stock and with the value of each award equal to the fair value of LendingTree common stock at the date of grant. RSUs may be settled in cash, stock or both, as determined by the Company's Compensation Committee at the time of grant. The Company does not have a history of settling these awards in cash. Each stock-based award is subject to service-based vesting, where a specific period of continued employment must pass before an award vests. The Compensation Committee can modify the vesting provisions of an award. Certain restricted stock awards also include performance-based vesting, where certain performance targets set at the time of grant must be achieved before an award vests.

LendingTree recognizes as expense non-cash compensation for all stock-based awards for which vesting is considered probable. The amount of non-cash compensation is reduced by estimated forfeitures, as the amount recorded to the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income is based on awards ultimately expected to vest. The forfeiture rate is estimated at the grant date, based on historical experience and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if the actual forfeiture rate differs from the estimated rate.

For service-based awards, non-cash compensation is measured at fair value on the grant date and expensed ratably over the vesting term. The fair value of each stock option award is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, while the fair value of an RSU or restricted stock award is measured as the closing common stock price at the time of grant. For certain performance-based awards, the fair value is measured on the grant date as the fair value of the Company's common stock awarded and recognized as non-cash compensation, using a graded vesting attribution model that considers the probability of the targets being achieved.

Tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the non-cash compensation recognized in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income are reported as a component of financing cash flows. In 2014, 2013 and 2012, while there were excess tax benefits from non-cash compensation, the tax benefits are not reflected in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income because of the utilization of net operating losses ("NOLs").

Litigation Settlements and Contingencies

Litigation settlements and contingencies consists of expenses related to actual or anticipated litigation settlements, in addition to legal fees incurred in connection with various patent litigation claims the Company pursues against others.

The Company is involved in legal proceedings on an ongoing basis. If the Company believes that a loss arising from such matters is probable and can be reasonably estimated, the estimated liability is accrued in the consolidated financial statements. If only a range of estimated losses can be determined, an amount within the range is accrued that, in the Company's judgment, reflects the most likely outcome; if none of the estimates within that range is a better estimate than any other amount, the low end of the range is accrued. For those proceedings in which an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible but not probable, an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of losses or a conclusion that an estimate of the reasonably possible loss or range of losses arising directly from the proceeding (i.e., monetary damages or amounts paid in judgment or settlement) are not material is disclosed. Legal expenses associated with these matters are recognized as incurred.

Accounting Estimates

Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions during the preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These estimates and assumptions impact the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. They also impact the reported amount of net earnings during any period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant estimates underlying the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including discontinued operations, include: loan loss obligations; the recoverability of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets; the determination of income taxes payable and deferred income taxes, including related valuation allowances; restructuring reserves; contingent consideration related to business combinations; various other allowances, reserves and accruals; and assumptions related to the determination of stock-based compensation.

Certain Risks and Concentrations

LendingTree's business is subject to certain risks and concentrations including dependence on third-party technology providers, exposure to risks associated with online commerce security and credit card fraud.

Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk at December 31, 2014, consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable, as disclosed in the consolidated balance sheet. Cash and cash equivalents are in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits, but are maintained with quality financial institutions of high credit. The Company generally requires certain marketplace lenders to maintain security deposits with the Company, which in the event of non-payment, would be applied against any accounts receivable outstanding.

Due to the nature of the mortgage lending industry, interest rate increases may negatively impact future revenue from the Company's lender marketplace.

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, one marketplace lender accounted for revenue representing 13%, 12% and 14% of total revenue, respectively, and another marketplace lender accounted for 11%, 12% and 11% of total revenue, respectively.

Lenders participating on the Company's marketplace can offer their products directly to consumers through brokers, mass marketing campaigns or through other traditional methods of credit distribution. These lenders can also offer their products online, either directly to prospective borrowers, through one or more online competitors, or both. If a significant number of potential consumers are able to obtain loans from participating lenders without utilizing the Company's service, its ability to generate revenue may be limited. Because the Company does not have exclusive relationships with the lenders whose loan offerings are offered on its online marketplace, consumers may obtain offers and loans from these lenders without using its service.

The Company maintains operations solely in the United States.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09 related to revenue recognition. This ASU was initiated as a joint project between the FASB and International Accounting Standards board ("IASB") to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and to develop a common revenue standard for GAAP and IFRS. This guidance will supersede the existing revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 605, Revenue Recognition and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted and the ASU can be applied (i) retrospectively to each prior period presented or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially adopting the ASU recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is evaluating the impact this ASU will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2013, the FASB issued new accounting guidance that requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of these obligations, as well as other information about them. The new accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity.

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RESTRICTED CASH

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract]

RESTRICTED CASH

Restricted cash and cash equivalents consists of the following (in thousands):



	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013
Cash in escrow for surety bonds ^(a)	$	2,453	$	2,453
Cash in escrow for corporate purchasing card program	100		400
Cash in escrow from sale of LendingTree Loans ^(b)	16,106		18,117
Cash in escrow for earnout related to an acquisition ^(c)	—		1,956
Cash restricted for loan loss obligations ^(d)	—		3,051
Other	57		40
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents	$	18,716	$	26,017


(a)	See Note 10—Commitments for a discussion of surety bonds.

(b)

HLC, a subsidiary of the Company, continues to be liable for certain indemnification obligations, repurchase obligations and premium repayment obligations following the sale of substantially all of the operating assets of its LendingTree Loans business in the second quarter of 2012. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company reached and executed a settlement with one of its secondary market purchasers related to these contingent liabilities, upon which $2.0 million of cash previously held in escrow was released to the Company. This settlement had no impact on the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company completed a settlement agreement with the largest investor to which it had sold loans. As a result of this settlement agreement, $12.1 million of cash held in escrow is expected to be released in December 2015.

(c)

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company reached and executed a settlement with the disputing party on the earnout related to an acquisition completed prior to the spinoff from IAC in August 2008, upon which $2.0 million of cash previously held in escrow was released, of which $1.0 million was paid out to the disputing party. This settlement had no impact on the results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.


(d)	During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company reached and executed a settlement with the disputing party on certain loan loss obligations, upon which $3.1 million of cash previously held in escrow was paid out to the disputing party.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The balance of property and equipment, net is as follows (in thousands):



	December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
Computer equipment and capitalized software	$	16,080		$	18,130
Leasehold improvements	2,096			2,096
Furniture and other equipment	1,030			981
Projects in progress	861			2,145
Total gross property and equipment	20,067			23,352
Accumulated depreciation	(14,810		)	(18,008		)
Total property and equipment, net	$	5,257		$	5,344

Unamortized capitalized software development costs, in service or under development, are $4.5 million and $4.3 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Capitalized software development depreciation expense was $2.8 million, $3.0 million and $3.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

During 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge in its Education business of approximately $0.4 million to internally developed software. See Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the impairment.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for long-lived, physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Includes, but is not limited to, accounting policies and methodology, roll forwards, depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, including composite depreciation, accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization expense, useful lives and method used, income statement disclosures, assets held for sale and public utility disclosures.

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GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The balance of goodwill and intangible assets, net is as follows (in thousands):



	December 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
Goodwill	$	486,720		$	486,720
Accumulated impairment losses	(483,088		)	(483,088		)
Net goodwill	$	3,632		$	3,632

Intangible assets with indefinite lives	$	10,142		$	10,142
Intangible assets with definite lives, net	999			542
Total intangible assets, net	$	11,141		$	10,684

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

The Company's goodwill is associated with its one reportable segment, lending. There were no changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Results of the annual impairment test as of October 1, 2014 indicated that no impairment had occurred.

Intangible assets with indefinite lives relate to the Company's trademarks. Results of the annual impairment test as of October 1, 2014 indicated that no impairment had occurred.

Intangible Assets with Definite Lives

Intangible assets with definite lives relate to the following (dollars in thousands):



	Weighted Average Amortization Life	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Customer lists	10.0 years	$	1,049	$	(50	)	$	999
Other	2.2 years	1,087		(1,087		)	—
Balance at December 31, 2014		$	2,136	$	(1,137	)	$	999



	Weighted Average Amortization Life	Cost		Accumulated Amortization			Net
Purchase agreements	5.0 years	$	236	$	(212	)	$	24
Technology	3.0 years	25,194		(25,194		)	—
Customer lists	4.2 years	6,682		(6,166		)	516
Other	2.5 years	1,517		(1,515		)	2
Balance at December 31, 2013		$	33,629	$	(33,087	)	$	542

Amortization of intangible assets with definite lives is computed on a straight-line basis and, based on balances as of December 31, 2014, future amortization is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):



	Amortization Expense
Year ending December 31, 2015	$	149
Year ending December 31, 2016	100
Year ending December 31, 2017	100
Year ending December 31, 2018	100
Year ending December 31, 2019	100
Thereafter	450
Total intangible assets with definite lives, net	$	999

On June 30, 2014, the Company acquired certain intangible assets to be used in its home services business for $0.6 million paid on the acquisition date, plus contingent consideration of $0 to $0.8 million. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the Company finalized the purchase price of $1.0 million, which includes an estimated contingent consideration of $0.4 million. The entire purchase price was allocated to the customer lists acquired, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a useful life of 10 years.

During 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge in its Education business of approximately $0.4 million to customer lists. See Note 2—Significant Accounting Policies for a discussion of the impairment.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the aggregate amount of goodwill and a description of intangible assets, which may include (a) for amortizable intangible assets (also referred to as finite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, the amount of any significant residual value, and the weighted-average amortization period, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization (also referred to as indefinite-lived intangible assets), the carrying amount, and (c) the amount of research and development assets acquired and written off in the period, including the line item in the income statement in which the amounts written off are aggregated, if not readily apparent from the income statement. Also discloses (a) for amortizable intangibles assets in total and by major class, the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization, the total amortization expense for the period, and the estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years, (b) for intangible assets not subject to amortization the carrying amount in total and by major class, and (c) for goodwill, in total and for each reportable segment, the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill during the period (including the aggregate amount of goodwill acquired, the aggregate amount of impairment losses recognized, and the amount of goodwill included in the gain (loss) on disposal of a reporting unit). If any part of goodwill has not been allocated to a reportable segment, discloses the unallocated amount and the reasons for not allocating. For each impairment loss recognized related to an intangible asset (excluding goodwill), discloses: (a) a description of the impaired intangible asset and the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method for determining fair value, (c) the caption in the income statement or the statement of activities in which the impairment loss is aggregated, and (d) the segment in which the impaired intangible asset is reported. For each goodwill impairment loss recognized, discloses: (a) a description of the facts and circumstances leading to the impairment, (b) the amount of the impairment loss and the method of determining the fair value of the associated reporting unit, and (c) if a recognized impairment loss is an estimate not finalized and the reasons why the estimate is not final. May also disclose the nature and amount of any significant adjustments made to a previous estimate of an impairment loss.

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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share was determined based on the following share data (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2013	2012
Weighted average basic common shares	11,188	11,035	10,695
Effect of stock options	—	—	—
Effect of dilutive share awards	—	—	—
Weighted average diluted common shares	11,188	11,035	10,695

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company had losses from continuing operations and, as a result, no potentially dilutive securities were included in the denominator for computing diluted loss per share, because the impact would have been anti-dilutive. Accordingly, the weighted average basic shares outstanding were used to compute loss per share amounts for these periods. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, approximately 0.7 million, 0.7 million, and 0.6 million shares, respectively, related to potentially dilutive securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted loss per share, because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

See Note 8—Stock-Based Compensation for a full description of outstanding equity awards.

Common Stock Repurchases

In January 2010, the board of directors authorized and the Company announced the repurchase of up to $10.0 million of LendingTree's common stock. In May 2014, the board of directors authorized and the Company announced the repurchase of up to an additional $10.0 million of LendingTree's common stock. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company purchased 99,345, 180,453 and 65,218 shares, respectively, of its common stock for aggregate consideration of $2.6 million, $3.3 million and $0.9 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, approximately $7.5 million remains authorized for share repurchase.

Special Dividend

On December 6, 2012, the Company announced a special cash dividend of $1.00 per share. The dividend was paid on December 26, 2012 to shareholders of record on December 17, 2012. The total amount of the dividend was approximately $11.6 million, giving effect to a 2013 correction to the overpayment of dividends totaling $0.4 million, and has been presented as a reduction of additional paid-in capital in the consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for earnings per share.

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STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

The Company currently has one active plan, the Fourth Amended and Restated LendingTree 2008 Stock and Annual Incentive Plan (the "Equity Award Plan"), under which future awards may be granted, which currently covers outstanding stock options to acquire shares of the Company's common stock, restricted stock and RSUs, and provides for the future grants of these and other equity awards. Under the Equity Award Plan, the Company is authorized to grant stock options, restricted stock, RSUs and other equity-based awards for up to 4.35 million shares of LendingTree common stock to employees, officers and directors. This Equity Award Plan also governs certain equity awards of IAC that were converted into equity awards of LendingTree in connection with the spin-off.

The Equity Award Plan has a stated term of ten years and provides that the exercise price of stock options granted will not be less than the market price of the common stock on the grant date. The Equity Award Plan itself does not specify grant dates or vesting schedules, as those determinations are delegated to the Compensation Committee of the board of directors. Each grant agreement reflects the vesting schedule for that particular grant, as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has the authority to modify the vesting provisions of an award.

Prior to the 2008 spin-off from IAC, employees received equity awards that were granted under various IAC stock and annual incentive plans. Upon spin-off, these IAC awards were converted into awards of both LendingTree and other former IAC companies, which vested in 2012.

Non-cash compensation related to equity awards is included in the following line items in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Cost of revenue	$	32	$	13	$	6
Selling and marketing expense	901		931		750
General and administrative expense	5,148		3,841		3,205
Product development	1,196		842		626
Restructuring and severance	169		—		—
Total non-cash compensation	$	7,446	$	5,627	$	4,587

For the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company recognized no income tax benefit related to non-cash compensation due to its net operating losses and valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2014, there was approximately $10.9 million, $5.8 million and $2.2 million of unrecognized compensation cost, net of estimated forfeitures, related to stock options, RSUs and restricted stock, respectively. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.0 years for stock options, 1.7 years for RSUs and 1.9 years for restricted stock.

Stock Options

A summary of the changes in outstanding stock options is as follows:



	Number of Options		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value^(a)
			(per option)		(in years)	(in thousands)
Outstanding at December 31, 2013	1,038,999		$	8.98
Granted	1,106,791		26.73
Exercised	(8,361	)	13.58
Forfeited	—		—
Expired	(750	)	13.04
Outstanding at December 31, 2014	2,136,679		$	18.16	6.43	$	64,492
Options exercisable	983,107		$	9.07	3.63	$	38,602

(a)

The aggregate intrinsic value represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company's closing stock price of $48.34 on the last trading day of 2014 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares covered by in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2014. The intrinsic value changes based on the market value of the Company's common stock.

Upon exercise, the intrinsic value represents the pre-tax difference between the Company's closing stock price on the exercise date and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of stock options exercised. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the total intrinsic value of stock options that were exercised was $0.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively. Cash received from stock option exercises and the related actual tax benefit realized were $0.1 million and $0.1 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2014.

During the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012, the Company granted stock options with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $11.22 and $3.63, respectively, of which the vesting periods include (a) three years from the grant date, (b) 25% and 75% over a period of 2.5 years and 3.5 years, respectively, and (c) two years from the grant date.

For purposes of determining stock-based compensation expense, the weighted average grant date fair value per share of the stock options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which requires the use of various key assumptions. The weighted average assumptions used are as follows:



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014	2012
Expected term ⁽¹⁾	5.75 - 6.63 years	7.0 years
Expected dividend ⁽²⁾	—	—
Expected volatility ⁽³⁾	36% - 64%	45	%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽⁴⁾	1.81% - 2.13%	2.0	%

(1)

For the year ended December 31, 2014, the expected term of stock options granted was calculated using the 'Simplified Method', which utilizes the midpoint between the weighted average time of vesting and the end of the contractual term. This method was utilized for the stock options due to a lack of historical exercise behavior by the Company's employees. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the expected term of stock options granted was based on analyses of historical employee termination rates and option exercise patterns, giving consideration to expectations of future employee behavior.


(2)	For all stock options granted during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2012, no dividends are expected to be paid over the contractual term of the stock options, resulting in a zero expected dividend rate.


(3)	The expected volatility rate is based on the historical volatility of the Company's common stock or a blended rate which includes the historical volatility of the Company's common stock and that of a peer group.


(4)	The risk-free interest rate is specific to the date of grant. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury yields for notes with comparable expected terms as the awards, in effect at the grant date.

As of December 31, 2014, the non-vested options are expected to vest over a weighted-average period of approximately 3.0 years. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, the total fair value of options vested was $0.4 million, $3.2 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Restricted Stock Units

A summary of the changes in outstanding nonvested RSUs is as follows:



	RSUs				RSUs Performance Condition
	Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Number of Units		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per unit)				(per unit)
Nonvested at December 31, 2013	599,122		$	14.15	—		$	—
Granted ^(a)	135,607		32.33		500		33.59
Vested	(328,681	)	12.08		(500	)	33.59
Forfeited	(54,247	)	16.31		—		—
Nonvested at December 31, 2014	351,801		$	22.83	—		$	—


(a)	The grant date fair value per share of the RSUs is calculated as the closing market price of LendingTree's common stock at the time of the grant.

The total fair value of RSUs that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $11.0 million, $7.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively. The total fair value of RSUs with a performance condition that vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $22,000.

Restricted Stock

A summary of the changes in outstanding nonvested restricted stock is as follows:



	Restricted Stock				Restricted Stock Market Condition
	Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value		Number of Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
			(per share)				(per share)
Nonvested at December 31, 2013	119,500		$	22.47	62,500		$	13.93
Granted ^(a)(b)	43,389		25.14		—		—
Vested	(39,832	)	22.47		(62,500	)	13.93
Forfeited	—		—		—		—
Nonvested at December 31, 2014	123,057		$	23.41	—		$	—


(a)	The grant date fair value per share of the restricted stock is calculated as the closing market price of LendingTree's common stock at the time of grant.


(b)	The grant date fair value per share of the restricted stock with an underlying market condition was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation model. These shares vest based on the achievement of a market-based performance target within three years, but not earlier than one year from the grant date. The fair value on grant date is recognized over the requisite service period.

The total fair value of restricted stock that vested during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.5 million, $3.2 million and $0.8 million, respectively. The total fair value of restricted stock with a market condition that vested during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $2.1 million.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for compensation-related costs for equity-based compensation, which may include disclosure of policies, compensation plan details, allocation of equity compensation, incentive distributions, equity-based arrangements to obtain goods and services, deferred compensation arrangements, employee stock ownership plan details and employee stock purchase plan details.

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INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

Income Tax Provision

The components of the income tax benefit are as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Current income tax benefit:
Federal	$	(371	)	$	(425	)	$	(1,358	)
State	(219		)	(92		)	(33		)
Current income tax benefit	(590		)	(517		)	(1,391		)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit):
Federal	63			63			147
State	43			1			(239		)
Deferred income tax provision (benefit)	106			64			(92		)
Income tax benefit	$	(484	)	$	(453	)	$	(1,483	)

A reconciliation of the income tax benefit to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to loss from continuing operations before income taxes is shown as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Income tax benefit at the federal statutory rate of 35%	$	(340	)	$	(394	)	$	(1,306	)
State income taxes, net of effect of federal tax benefit	(143		)	(60		)	(177		)
Other, net	(1		)	1			—
Income tax benefit	$	(484	)	$	(453	)	$	(1,483	)

Deferred Income Taxes

The tax effects of cumulative temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows (in thousands):



	December 31,
	2014			2013
Deferred tax assets:
Provision for accrued expenses	$	7,265		$	13,009
Net operating loss carryforwards ^(a)	23,370			26,365
Non-cash compensation expense	3,010			2,753
Goodwill, intangible and other assets	567			1,874
Other	1,296			1,125
Total gross deferred tax assets	35,508			45,126
Less: valuation allowance ^(b)	(40,121		)	(49,674		)
Total deferred tax assets, net of the valuation allowance	(4,613		)	(4,548		)
Deferred tax liabilities:
Other	(237		)	(194		)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(237		)