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LEGALZOOMCOM INC

For the period ended Dec 31, 2024. Filed Feb 26, 2025.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's yearly report to the SEC, with audited financial statements. It is the fullest account a company gives of its business, its finances and the risks it sees.

FY2024 · Filed Feb 26, 2025

LZ$5.24-12.1%Stored close · as of Nov 6, 2026

What changed in Management’s Discussion and Analysis?

Read the current filing

Previous report: 10-K

Period ended 2023-12-31; filed 2024-02-29.

0001286139-24-000031

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Current report: 10-K

Period ended 2024-12-31; filed 2025-02-26.

0001286139-25-000044

Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The baseline is this issuer’s latest earlier reporting period of the same form that was filed before the current report. A previous 10-Q is a different quarter, not a year-over-year comparison. Amendments are excluded.

Compared 221 previous paragraphs and 215 current paragraphs.

135 unchanged; 62 reworded; 15 added; 23 removed; 1 previous and 3 current paragraphs rearranged.

Tables are not compared: 24 previous and 26 current tables excluded. Dates, whitespace, punctuation and numbering changes are ignored; changes to financial figures remain significant.

A changed paragraph is not evidence that risk increased or decreased. An unchanged paragraph does not establish that risk stayed the same.

Added paragraphs (15)

Current report

LegalZoom is a leading online platform for legal services, transforming how individuals and small businesses navigate the legal system. By combining intuitive technology with access to experienced attorneys—whether through our vast independent attorney network or LegalZoom Legal Services (LZLS) law firm—we offer the tools and guidance people need to confidently manage everything from business formation and compliance to estate planning and ongoing legal support. We operate across all 50 states and in over 3,000 counties in the U.S. With over two decades of experience and millions of customers served, LegalZoom helps individuals and small businesses navigate legal needs with confidence.

Current report

•On February 10, 2025, we acquired all of the outstanding equity interests of Formation Nation, Inc., or Formation Nation, for total cash consideration of $64.8 million and 2,205,445 restricted shares of our common stock. The shares are subject to a lock-up and voting agreement, and a portion of the cash consideration is subject to a one year holdback and customary adjustments. The cash consideration was funded with cash on hand. Upon closing of the transaction, Formation Nation, Inc. and its subsidiaries – including Inc Authority and Nevada Corporate Headquarters – became wholly owned subsidiaries of LegalZoom.

Current report

•In December 2024, we announced a three-year strategic partnership with Accounting Fulfillment Services, LLC, or 1-800Accountant, pursuant to which 1-800Accountant agreed to certain minimum revenue commitments to us across the term of the agreement in exchange for us agreeing to certain obligations to market 1-800Accountant services to its customers, including agreeing to refer a minimum number of our business formation customers to 1-800Accountant in order to offer full service do-it-for-me tax and bookkeeping solutions to our customers. We expect this shift in the way we commercialize our tax offering to be a revenue headwind in 2025.

Current report

•As of the date of this filing, the nationwide preliminary injunction against enforcement of the Corporate Transparency Act’s beneficial ownership information report rule is paused and the deadline for most companies to file a beneficial ownership information report is now extended until March 21, 2025. However, given that this reporting requirement continues to face legal challenges, the future of this filing requirement remains unpredictable and we expect it to be a revenue headwind in 2025.

Current report

Average order value decreased by 8% during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in average order value was primarily driven by a higher mix of lower priced small business-related transactions, including beneficial ownership information reports, and a reduction in the fees earned from third-party providers from leads generated for such providers through our online platforms.

Current report

We achieved 14% growth in the number of subscription units from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, primarily driven by an increase in forms and e-signature and accounting solution subscriptions resulting from the bundling of these products into certain business formation offerings and an increase in compliance subscriptions. Growth in subscription units as of December 31, 2024 was partially offset by the discontinuation of new customer acquisition for our tax offering.

Current report

Stock-based compensation expense increased for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 due to time-based restricted stock units, or RSUs, RSUs with performance and market conditions, and RSUs with market conditions granted to eligible employees and members of our senior leadership teamin 2024. Refer to Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Current report

Transaction revenue decreased 1% year-over-year for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to a 17% decrease in business formations and a reduction in fees earned from third-party providers from leads generated from such providers through our online platform, partially offset by the introduction of our beneficial ownership information report and an increase in other small business related transactions, including annual reports and dissolutions.

Current report

Subscription revenue increased 6% year-over-year for the year ended December 31, 2024 primarily due to our compliance-related subscriptions and legal advisory subscriptions, partially offset by the discontinuation of new customer acquisition for our tax offerings and the exit of certain channel partner relationships in the third quarter of 2023.

Current report

The assumptions that were used to calculate the grant-date fair value of our RSUs with a performance and market conditions granted during the year ended December 31, 2024, using a Monte Carlo simulation model were as follows:

Current report

The assumptions that were used to calculate the grant-date fair value of the RSUs with a market vesting condition granted in July 2024 using a Monte Carlo simulation model were as follows:

Current report

The assumptions that were used to calculate the grant-date fair value of the RSUs with a market vesting condition granted in November 2024 using a Monte Carlo simulation model were as follows:
Removed paragraphs (23)

Previous report

LegalZoom is a leading online platform for business formation in the U.S. Our unique position at business inception allows us to become a trusted business advisor, supporting the evolving needs of a new business throughout its lifecycle, and we have expanded our platform to include professional expertise and other products, both legal and non-legal, to better meet the needs of small businesses. Driven by a mission to unleash entrepreneurship, we deliver comprehensive legal, tax, accounting and compliance products and expertise for small business owners through easy-to-use technology. We operate across all 50 states and in over 3,000 counties in the U.S., with over two decades of experience in simplifying the legal and compliance process for our customers and empowering entrepreneurs to make their dream a reality.

Previous report

•In November 2023, LucasZoom, LLC, or the selling stockholder, sold 15,099,993 shares of our common stock in an underwritten public offering at a price paid to the selling stockholder of $10.84 per share. We did not offer any shares of common stock in the secondary offering and did not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of common stock in the secondary offering. Upon the closing of the offering, the selling stockholder ceased to own any shares of our common stock.

Previous report

•In November 2023, we announced the launch of a new business license offering. This new offering is built on a proprietary nationwide database that matches a small business profile with the required licenses and permits at all levels of government.

Previous report

•In December 2023, we launched a new Beneficial Ownership Information Report to help customers satisfy the federally mandated beneficial ownership information reporting rule under the Corporate Transparency Act, which went into effect on January 1, 2024.

Previous report

•In 2023, we exited certain channel partnership relationships as part of our focus on profitable, customer-led growth. In the first half of 2024, we expect these exits to negatively impact business formations and, in turn, our subscription unit growth, as business formations act as an entrance point for many customers into the LegalZoom ecosystem.

Previous report

•We are continuing to scale up LZ Tax and we are learning more about our tax customers in the process. As we optimize our LZ Tax offerings to better meet the needs of our target customers, we are seeing and expect to continue to see a decrease in the number of customers purchasing and retaining an LZ Tax subscription unit. While this decrease will produce a revenue headwind throughout 2024, we expect increased retention of our LZ Tax subscription units over the long term.

Previous report

We expect our cost of revenue to increase in absolute dollars as we continue to invest in enhancing our customer experience and in new product development.

Previous report

Average order value decreased by 15% during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The decrease in average order value during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily driven by a 25% decrease in average order value related to our business formations due to the nationwide rollout of free LLC formations during the first quarter of 2023.

Previous report

We expect variability in average order value throughout 2024 as we lap our exit of certain channel partner relationships and due to changes in the mix of our non-formation transaction products.

Previous report

We achieved 7% growth in our number of subscription units from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, primarily driven by a 4% increase in our registered agent and compliance subscription units, which was dampened by the exit of certain channel partner relationships in the back half of 2023. The increase in subscription units was also driven to a lesser extent by an increase in virtual mail, forms and e-signature subscriptions.

Previous report

Stock-based compensation expense decreased for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 due to the modification of certain equity awards in connection with our IPO. Refer to Note 15 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Previous report

(1) Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2023, we no longer present partner revenue on a standalone basis and partner revenue is now included within transaction and subscription revenue. This change had no impact on total revenue. Prior period disclosures and amounts have been conformed to the current period presentation.

Previous report

Transaction revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased due to a 15% decrease in average order value compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, partially offset by a 12% increase in the number of transaction units over the same period. The decrease in average order value for the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven primarily by a 25% decrease in average order value related to our business formations due to the nationwide rollout of free LLC formations during the first quarter of 2023. The overall increase in transaction units during the year ended December 31, 2023 was due to a 23% increase in business formations due primarily to the nationwide rollout of free LLC formations. This increase was partially offset by a 12% reduction in estate planning transactions.

Previous report

Subscription revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased primarily due to a 7% increase in the number of subscription units as of December 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 and a 7% increase in ARPU compared to December 31, 2022. The increase in subscription units was driven primarily bya 4% increase in our registered agent and compliance subscription units, which was dampened by the exit of certain channel partner relationships in the back half of 2023. The increase in subscription units was also driven to a lesser extent by an increase in virtual mail, forms and e-signature subscriptions. ARPU increased 7% compared to December 31, 2022 driven primarily by a shift in the mix of our higher priced subscription offerings.

Previous report

In 2022, we recorded non-cash charges related to the impairment of certain customer relationship assets.

Previous report

The change in interest income was primarily due to dividend income generated from our money market investments during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Previous report

Impairment of other equity security for the year ended December 31, 2022 was due to the impairment of our investment in Mylo, LLC.

Previous report

In 2022, net cash used in investing activities was $30.6 million, resulting primarily from $22.1 million paid for property and equipment, including capitalized internal-use software, a $6.3 million payment for developed technology acquired from Revvsales Inc., and a $2.5 million payment for the acquisition of United Agency Services Corp.

Previous report

Award issuances and modifications in connection with our IPO. For retention purposes, in connection with our IPO, we amended certain vesting conditions of existing options and RSUs, and granted additional options and RSUs to our executive officers. See Note 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion.
Reworded paragraphs (62)

Previous wording

•Macroeconomic factors. Adverse changes in general macroeconomic, political, regulatory and market conditions can negatively impact consumer spending patterns, the success of existing small businesses and the formation of new small businesses. While we continue to actively monitor the impacts of the evolving macroeconomic environment on all aspects of our business, future negative or decelerating impacts from factors such as inflation, higher interest rates, regulatory obstacles or changes in laws (including changes in tax laws and regulations) remain uncertain.

Current wording

•Macroeconomic factors. Adverse changes in, or uncertainty with respect to, general macroeconomic, political, regulatory and market conditions can negatively impact consumer spending patterns, the success of existing small businesses and the formation of new small businesses. While we continue to actively monitor the impacts of the evolving macroeconomic environment on all aspects of our business, future negative or decelerating impacts from factors such as inflation, tariffs, higher interest rates, regulatory obstacles or changes in laws and regulations remain uncertain.

Previous wording

•Our share of business formations. In 2023, business formations represented the largest share of our total transaction orders. Business formations act as an entrance point for many customers to the LegalZoom ecosystem, where they then often purchase a mix of transaction and subscription offerings alongside and after the initial formation transaction. As a result, our operating results depend on the continuation of new business formations in the U.S. and even more so, on our ability to increase our share of these formations. In an effort to increase our share of new business formations in the U.S., we have introduced and may continue to introduce lower-priced products and services to target more price conscious customers.

Current wording

•Our share of business formations. In 2024, business formations represented the largest share of our total transaction orders. Business formations act as an entrance point for many customers to the LegalZoom ecosystem, where they then often purchase a mix of transaction and subscription offerings alongside and after the initial formation transaction. As a result, our operating results depend on the continuation of new business formations in the U.S. and even more so, on our ability to increase our share of these formations.

Previous wording

•Ability to enhance customer lifetime value. Our goal is for customers to grow their use of our platform post-formation to include additional transaction products and subscription services as their businesses evolve and that, in turn, customers increase their cumulative spend with us over time. As a result, our future performance depends on our ability to integrate new products and services into our LegalZoom ecosystem and to increase recurring revenue through subscription offerings. As we continue to test new and existing products and services in order to optimize our product line-up, we expect increased volatility across our key business metrics. In addition, in an effort to enhance customer lifetime value, we intend to continue to invest in improving our customer experience, which includes investments in our educational content and improving our website and mobile experience.

Current wording

•Ability to enhance customer lifetime value. Our future performance depends on our ability to integrate new products and services into our LegalZoom ecosystem and to increase recurring revenue through subscription offerings. As we continue to test new and existing products and services in order to optimize our product line-up, including testing various commercialization strategies for those offerings, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience increased volatility across our key business metrics. In addition, in an effort to enhance customer lifetime value, we intend to continue to invest in improving our customer experience, which includes investments in our educational content and improving our website and mobile experience.

Previous wording

•Ability to integrate experts. We believe that our expert offerings significantly expand our addressable market. We aim to increase the consumption of our higher-cost expert offerings through targeted cross-selling and promotion of our products, as well as by improving the platforms through which our customers and experts interact. Our ability to further integrate experts into our LegalZoom ecosystem and to increase the consumption of our expert offerings by new and existing customers is key to our future success.

Current wording

•Ability to integrate experts. We believe that our expert offerings significantly expand our addressable market. We aim to increase the consumption of our higher-cost expert offerings through targeted cross-selling and promotion of our products, as well as by improving the platforms through which our customers and experts interact. The extent to which we are able to integrate experts into our LegalZoom ecosystem and increase the consumption of our expert offerings by new and existing customers will impact our future results of operations.

Previous wording

We generate revenue from the sources identified below. Beginning in the fourth quarter of 2023, we no longer present partner revenue on a standalone basis and partner revenue is now included within transaction and subscription revenue. This change had no impact on total revenue. Prior period disclosures and amounts have been conformed to the current period presentation.

Previous wording

See the section titled “—Critical Accounting Estimates—Revenue Recognition” for a description of the accounting policies related to revenue recognition, including arrangements that contain multiple deliverables.

Current wording

See the section titled “—Critical Accounting Estimates—Revenue Recognition” below for a description of the accounting policies related to revenue recognition, including arrangements that contain multiple deliverables.

Previous wording

Gross profit, or revenue less cost of revenue, and gross margin, or gross profit as a percentage of revenue, have been and will continue to be affected by various factors, primarily the mix between transaction and subscription revenue. Our long-term gross margin expansion is also expected to be driven by automation improvements and digitization efforts. Further, our acquisitions of other companies have negatively impacted our gross margin in the short term, and any such future acquisitions could have a similar effect.

Current wording

Gross profit, or revenue less cost of revenue, and gross margin, or gross profit as a percentage of revenue, have been and will continue to be affected by various factors, primarily the mix between transaction and subscription revenue. Our long-term gross margin expansion is also expected to be driven by automation improvements and digitization efforts. Further, our acquisitions of other companies have negatively impacted our gross margin in the past, and any such future acquisitions could have a similar effect.

Previous wording

In the short term, we expect our gross profit to increase in absolute dollars but our gross margin to be impacted by higher filing fees as a percentage of revenue due to our offering of free LLC formations, as well as our continued investment in scaling our tax and attorney-assisted legal offerings, which have lower gross margins than other products in our portfolio. However, we expect our gross margin to increase modestly over the longer term as we continue to focus on growing higher-margin subscription revenue and invest in fulfillment automation technologies. In addition, our gross margin could fluctuate from period to period due to fulfillment rates and seasonality.

Current wording

We expect our gross margin to increase modestly over the longer term as we continue to focus on growing higher-margin subscription revenue and invest in fulfillment automation technologies. In addition, our gross margin could fluctuate from period to period due to fulfillment rates and seasonality.

Previous wording

Technology and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related benefits, including stock-based compensation, expenses for outside consultants, an allocation of depreciation and amortization and allocated overhead. These expenses include costs incurred in the development and implementation of our products, websites, mobile applications, online legal platform, research and development and related infrastructure. Technology and development expenses are expensed as incurred, except to the extent that such costs are associated with internal-use software costs that qualify for capitalization.

Current wording

Technology and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related benefits, including stock-based compensation for technology and development personnel, expenses for outside consultants, an allocation of depreciation and amortization and allocated overhead. These expenses include costs incurred in the development and implementation of our products, websites, mobile applications, online legal platform, research and development and related infrastructure. Technology and development expenses are expensed as incurred, except to the extent that such costs are associated with internal-use software costs that qualify for capitalization.

Previous wording

Excluding stock-based compensation, we expect our technology and development expenses to continue to increase in absolute dollars for the foreseeable future as we invest in new products and services and in production automation technologies to enhance our customer experience. We expect our technology and development expenses to remain relatively consistent or increase as a percentage of our revenue over the long-term, although our technology and development expenses may fluctuate as a percentage of our revenue from period-to-period due to seasonality and the timing and extent of these expenses.

Current wording

Excluding stock-based compensation, we expect our technology and development expenses to remain relatively consistent as a percentage of our revenue for the foreseeable future, although our technology and development expenses may fluctuate as a percentage of our revenue from period-to-period due to seasonality and the timing and extent of these expenses.

Previous wording

We will continue to incur stock-based compensation expense related to certain modifications to equity awards that occurred in connection with our IPO through 2024; however, we expect our general and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage of our revenue over the longer term. Our general and administrative expenses may fluctuate as a percentage of our revenue from period-to-period due to seasonality and the timing and extent of these expenses.

Current wording

We expect our general and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage of our revenue over the longer term. However, our general and administrative expenses may fluctuate as a percentage of our revenue from period-to-period due to seasonality and the timing and extent of these expenses.

Previous wording

At December 31, 2023, we had federal net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards of $17.2 million, which will begin to expire in 2032. At December 31, 2023, we had state NOL carryforwards of $38.2 million, which will begin to expire in 2028 and we had foreign NOL carryforwards of $30.3 million, which can be carried forward indefinitely and are not subject to expiration. In general, under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50% change, by value, in its equity ownership by certain stockholders over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOLs and other pre-change tax attributes, such as research tax credits, to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited.

Current wording

At December 31, 2024, we had federal net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards of $16.6 million, which will begin to expire in 2036. At December 31, 2024, we had state NOL carryforwards of $28.8 million, which will begin to expire in 2025 and we had foreign NOL carryforwards of $35.1 million, which can be carried forward indefinitely and are not subject to expiration. In general, under Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, if a corporation undergoes an “ownership change,” generally defined as a greater than 50% change, by value, in its equity ownership by certain stockholders over a three-year period, the corporation’s ability to use its pre-change NOLs and other pre-change tax attributes, such as research tax credits, to offset its post-change income or taxes may be limited.

Previous wording

We define the number of business formations in a given period as the number of limited liability company, or LLC, incorporation, not-for-profit and doing business as, or DBA, orders placed on our platform in such period, excluding such orders from our operations in the United Kingdom, or U.K. We consider the number of business formations to be an important metric considering that it is typically the first product small business customers purchase on our platform, creating the foundation for additional purchases of transaction and subscription offerings throughout the lifecycle of their business, deepening our relationship with our customers.

Current wording

We define the number of business formations in a given period as the number of limited liability company, or LLC, incorporation, not-for-profit and doing business as, or DBA, orders placed on our platform in such period. We consider the number of business formations to be an important metric considering that it is typically the first product or service small business customers purchase on our platform, creating the foundation for additional products and subsequent subscription revenue as customers adopt additional products and services throughout the lifecycle of their business.

Previous wording

Furthermore, we believe our definition of the number of business formations is most closely aligned with U.S. Census reporting of new applications for EINs, which we believe to be the most relevant source of publicly available U.S. market data.

Current wording

Furthermore, we believe our definition of the number of business formations is most closely aligned with U.S. Census reporting of new applications for Employer Identification Numbers, or EINs, which we believe to be the most relevant source of publicly available U.S. market data.

Previous wording

We experienced a 23% increase in business formation transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. Our business formation transactions increased during the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to an increase in LLC formations driven by our nationwide roll-out of free LLC formations beginning in the first quarter of 2023. This increase in business formation transactions was partially offset by the exit of certain channel partner relationships in the third quarter of 2023. Our business formation transactions outpaced the 8% increase in overall U.S. business formations during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, based on a review of U.S. Census data revealing new applications for EINs.

Current wording

We experienced a 17% decrease in business formation transactions during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to a challenging macroeconomic environment and the exit of certain partner channel relationships in the third quarter of 2023. Overall U.S. business formations declined 5% during the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, based on a review of U.S. Census data revealing new applications for EINs.

Previous wording

We define the number of transactions in a given period as gross transaction order volume, prior to refunds, on our platform during such period. Transactions may include one or more services purchased at the same time. For example, a customer of our business formation services may choose to form an LLC and purchase an operating agreement and business licenses at the same time. This constitutes a single transaction. Refunds, or partial refunds, may be issued under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of our customer satisfaction guarantee. We consider the number of transactions to be an important metric considering that our customers generally begin their LegalZoom journey with a transaction, creating the foundation for generating subsequent subscription and partner revenue.

Current wording

We define the number of transactions in a given period as gross transaction order volume, prior to refunds, on our platform during such period. Transactions may include one or more services purchased at the same time. For example, a customer of our business formation services may choose to form an LLC and purchase an operating agreement and business licenses at the same time. This constitutes a single transaction. Refunds, or partial refunds, may be issued under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of our customer satisfaction guarantee. We consider the number of transactions to be an important metric considering that our customers generally begin their LegalZoom journey with a transaction, creating the foundation for generating subsequent subscription revenue.

Previous wording

We experienced a 12% increase in the number of transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The increase in the number of transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023 resulted primarily from the increase in business formations discussed above, as well as an increase in the number of compliance-related transactions. These increases were partially offset by a 12% reduction in estate planning transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Current wording

We experienced an 8% increase in the number of transactions during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily from the introduction of our beneficial ownership information report in December 2023 and to a lesser extent an increase in other small business related transactions, including annual reports and corporate dissolutions. These increases were partially offset by the decrease in business formations discussed above.

Previous wording

We define average order value for a given period as total transaction revenue divided by total number of transactions in such period. We consider average order value to be an important metric given it indicates how much customers are spending on our platform per transaction.

Current wording

We define average order value for a given period as total transaction revenue divided by total number of transactions in such period. We consider average order value to be an important metric given that it indicates how much customers are spending on average on our platform per transaction.

Previous wording

We define the number of subscription units in a given period as the paid subscriptions at the end of such period, including those that are not yet 60 days past their subscription order dates. Refunds, or partial refunds, may be issued under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of our customer satisfaction guarantee.

Current wording

We define the number of subscription units in a given period as the number of paid subscriptions at the end of such period, including those that are not yet 60 days past their subscription order dates. Refunds, or partial refunds, may be issued under certain circumstances pursuant to the terms of our customer satisfaction guarantee.

Previous wording

We consider the number of subscription units to be an important metric since subscriptions enable us to increase the lifetime value of a customer through deeper, longer-term relationships. In addition, as we innovate our product line-up and make a free business formation a foundational element of our business model, we believe the number of subscription units, when viewed together with the number of business formations during a particular period, provides insight into the effectiveness of our “freemium” strategy and its ability to drive growth in our subscription business.

Current wording

We consider the number of subscription units to be an important metric since subscriptions enable us to increase the lifetime value of a customer through deeper, longer-term relationships. In addition, as we continue to innovate our product line-up, including by testing varying price points for our products and evaluating our commercialization strategy, we believe the number of subscription units, when viewed together with the number of business formations during a particular period, provides insight into the effectiveness of our efforts to drive growth in our subscription business.

Previous wording

Subscriptions typically range from 30 days to one year in duration and the vast majority of our new subscriptions originate from business formation orders. Our customers can have multiple subscriptions at the end of a period. For example, a popular combination for a new small business owner is attorney advice and registered agent subscriptions.

Current wording

Subscriptions typically range from 30 days to one year in duration and the vast majority of our new subscriptions originate from business formation orders and have an annual term. Our customers can have multiple subscriptions at the end of a period.

Previous wording

On a sequential basis, the number of subscription units as of December 31, 2023 decreased 1% from 1,568 thousand subscription units as of September 30, 2023.

Current wording

On a sequential basis, the number of subscription units as of December 31, 2024 increased 3% from 1,717 thousand subscription units as of September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

ARPU increased 7% as of December 31, 2023 as compared to December 31, 2022 driven primarily by a shift in mix of our higher priced subscription offerings. ARPU as of December 31, 2023 was up 4% sequentially compared to September 30, 2023.

Current wording

ARPU declined 5% as of December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023 driven primarily by pricing changes to our compliance related subscriptions and virtual mail subscriptions. ARPU as of December 31, 2024 was flat sequentially compared to September 30, 2024.

Previous wording

We define annual small business retention rate as the percentage of small business subscription units active as of the last day of the quarter one year ago that were still active subscriptions 12 months later. Small business subscription units represent our subscriptions targeted at our small business customers and include subscriptions for our registered agent and compliance services, LZ Tax, our small business legal advisory plan and subscriptions acquired through our purchase of Earth Class Mail and Revvsales, and exclude subscriptions from our enterprise customers, our operations in the U.K. and our consumer legal advisory plan. Annual small business retention rate includes both monthly and annual subscription units and reflects all subscription unit attrition, including as a result of actual business failures of certain of our customers. Our annual small business retention rate as of December 31, 2023 was approximately 63%.

Current wording

We define annual small business retention rate as the percentage of small business subscription units active as of the last day of the quarter one year ago that were still active subscriptions 12 months later. Small business subscription units represent our subscriptions targeted at our small business customers and include subscriptions for our registered agent and compliance services, our tax solutions, our small business legal advisory plan and subscriptions acquired through our purchase of Earth Class Mail Inc. and Revvsales Inc., and exclude subscriptions from our enterprise customers, our operations in the U.K. and our consumer legal advisory plan. Annual small business retention rate includes both monthly and annual subscription units and reflects all subscription unit attrition, including as a result of actual business failures of certain of our customers. Our annual small business retention rate as of December 31, 2024 was approximately 63%.

Previous wording

We expect annual retention rate to fluctuate as we continue to test new products, subscription term lengths and price points and seek to optimize our product offerings across our lineup in connection with our “freemium” strategy. While there may be a general correlation between annual small business retention rate and our ability to increase customer lifetime value and the growth of our customer base, we do not view it as a predictor of future revenue given the varying needs of a small business during its lifecycle and the varying use cases of the products underlying our subscription units.

Current wording

We expect annual retention rate to fluctuate as we continue to test new products, subscription term lengths and price points and seek to optimize our product offerings across our lineup. While there may be a general correlation between annual small business retention rate and our ability to increase customer lifetime value and the growth of our customer base, we do not view it as a predictor of future revenue given the varying needs of a small business during its lifecycle and the varying use cases of the products underlying our subscription units.

Previous wording

The increase in total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 was driven by an increase in subscription revenue. Subscription revenue was 62% and 58% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, and transaction revenue was 38% and 42% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively.

Current wording

The 3% increase in total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 was driven by an increase in subscription revenue. Subscription revenue was 64% and 62% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and transaction revenue was 36% and 38% of total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Previous wording

Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased by $28.2 million mainly due to a $14.0 million increase in filing fees, a $4.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, a $2.8 million increase in third-party staffing fees, a $2.1 million increase in payroll and related benefits expense, and$1.4 million increase in stock-based compensation. The increase in filing fees was primarily driven by the increase in business formations during the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022.

Current wording

Cost of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased by $0.8 million mainly due to a $6.1 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense primarily resulting from higher capitalization of internal-use software development costs and a$1.5 million increase in stock-based compensation expense, partially offset by a $4.8 million decrease in filing fees anda $3.3 million decrease in third party staffing fees. The decrease in filing fees was primarily driven by the decrease in business formations during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

The increase in gross profit was driven by a $40.7 million increase in revenue partially offset by a $28.2 million increase in cost of revenue as discussed above.

Current wording

The increase in gross profit was driven by a $21.2 million increase in revenue partially offset by a $0.8 million increase in cost of revenue as discussed above.

Previous wording

Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased primarily due to a $29.3 million reduction in customer acquisition media spend, an $18.1 million reduction in payroll and related benefits, a $5.8 million reduction in media production spend, a $4.0 million reduction in stock-based compensation expense, and a $1.7 million reduction in depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by a $9.0 million increase in consulting fees. The decrease in stock-based compensation expense and payroll and related benefits was largely due to decreased sales and marketing headcount. Customer acquisition media spend was $145.3 million and $174.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, as we reduced our marketing spend in 2023 to align with our freemium strategy.

Current wording

Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 decreased by$3.2 million primarily due to a $15.4 million reduction in payroll and related benefits, partially offset by a $12.2 million increase in customer acquisition media spend. The decrease in payroll and related benefits was largely due to decreased sales and marketing headcount. Customer acquisition media spend was $157.6 million and $145.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, as we continued to invest in expanding our customer base and building our digital brand leadership and awareness.

Previous wording

Technology and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 increased primarily due to an increase in payroll and related benefits largely due to increased technology and development headcount.

Current wording

Technology and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased primarily due to an increase in payroll and related benefits largely due to increased technology and development headcount duringthe year ended December 31, 2024.

Previous wording

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 decreased primarily due to a $14.1 million decrease in stock-based compensation, partially offset by a $2.7 million increase inseverance and related termination benefits costs primarily related to a reduction in headcount in our U.S. workforce.

Current wording

General and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 increased primarily due to a $1.4 million increase inseverance and related termination benefits costs primarily related to the reduction of our global workforce duringthe year ended December 31, 2024, and a$1.3 million increase in stock-based compensation.

Previous wording

The change in other (expense) income, net, between 2023 and 2022 was primarily due to changes in foreign currency movements related to our intercompany loans which were denominated in British pound sterling.

Current wording

The change in other income (expense), net, between 2024 and 2023 was primarily due to changes in foreign currency movements related to our intercompany loans which were denominated in British Pound Sterling, or GBP.

Previous wording

The $16.5 million unfavorable change in tax provision in 2023 as compared to 2022 was primarily due to pre-tax book income and non-deductible stock-based compensationas well as timing differences for IRC section 174 research and development costs which resulted in higher taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to a pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2022.

Current wording

The $4.4 million favorable change in our provision for income taxes in 2024 as compared to 2023 was primarily due to lower non-deductible stock-based compensation, lower shortfalls on stock-based compensation and a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.

Previous wording

We fund our operations and capital expenditures from cash flows from operating activities. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital are to finance working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2023, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents of $225.7 million, which consisted of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds, of which approximately $2.0 million related to our foreign subsidiaries. Our cash and cash equivalents increased by $36.6 million from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023, primarily as a result of cash provided by operating activities, partially offset by purchases of property and equipment and stock repurchases during the year.

Current wording

We fund our operations and capital expenditures from cash flows from operating activities. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital are to finance working capital, capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. At December 31, 2024, our principal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents of $142.1 million, which consisted of cash on deposit with banks and money market funds, of which approximately $3.3 million related to our foreign subsidiaries. Our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $83.7 million from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024, primarily as a result of purchases of property and equipment and stock repurchases, partially offset by cash provided by operating activities during the year. Subsequent to year end, we used $50.1 million of cash in connection with our acquisition of all of the outstanding equity interests of Formation Nation.

Previous wording

We currently anticipate that our available cash, cash equivalents and cash provided by operating activities will be sufficient to meet our operational cash needs for at least the next twelve months and in the foreseeable future. We have the ability to supplement our liquidity needs with borrowings under our 2021 Revolving Facility. In addition, we previously announced our intention to sell our operating headquarters in Austin, Texas, which is discussed in more detail in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Current wording

We currently anticipate that our available cash, cash equivalents and cash provided by operating activities will be sufficient to meet our operational cash needs for at least the next twelve months and in the foreseeable future. We have the ability to supplement our liquidity needs with borrowings under our 2021 Revolving Facility. In addition, we previously announced our intention to sell our operating headquarters in Austin, Texas, which is discussed in more detail in Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. During the fourth quarter of 2024, we entered into a purchase and sale agreement for the sale of this property for a purchase price of$37.8 million, which is expected to close on March 31, 2025.

Previous wording

On March 1, 2022, our board of directors approved the 2022 stock repurchase program, which authorized management to repurchase up to$150.0 million of our common stock from time to time. The 2022 stock repurchase program was exhausted in September 2023. In October 2023, our board of directors approved the new 2023 stock repurchase program, which authorizes management to repurchase up to$100.0 million of our common stock from time to time. At December 31, 2023,$100.0 million remained available for repurchases of our common stock under the 2023 stock repurchase program. For additional information regarding our stock repurchase programs, refer to Note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Current wording

In October 2023, our board of directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which our management is authorized to repurchase up to$100.0 million of shares of our common stock from time to time. In May 2024, our board of directors approved a$75.0 million increase in the stock repurchase program and in November 2024, our board of directors approved an additional$40.0 million increase in the stock repurchase program. At December 31, 2024, approximately$50.0 million remained available for future repurchases of our common stock under the stock repurchase program. For additional information regarding our stock repurchase programs, refer to Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Previous wording

We are required to pay a commitment fee in respect of unutilized commitments under the 2021 Revolving Facility. The commitment fee is, initially, 0.35% per annum. The commitment fee is subject to a reduction of 0.10% if the total net first lien leverage ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00. We are also required to pay customary letter of credit fees and agency fees. At December 31, 2023, the interest rate applicable to the 2021 Revolving Facility was subject to a 1.0% floor and was at a rate equal tothe greatest of: (i) the administrative agent’s prime rate; (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1.0%; and (iii)the secured overnight financing rate, or SOFR, plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment to the SOFR benchmark, or Adjusted Term SOFR, plus 1.0%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR is less than zero, the Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be zero. The interest rate margins under the 2021 Revolving Facility are subject to a reduction of 0.25% and a further reduction of 0.25% if the total net first lien leverage ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 and 2.50 to 1.00, respectively.

Current wording

We are required to pay a commitment fee in respect of unutilized commitments under the 2021 Revolving Facility. The commitment fee is, initially, 0.35% per annum. The commitment fee is subject to a reduction of 0.10% if the total net first lien leverage ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00. We are also required to pay customary letter of credit fees and agency fees. At December 31, 2024, the interest rate applicable to the 2021 Revolving Facility was subject to a 1.0% floor and was at a rate equal tothe greatest of: (i) the administrative agent’s prime rate; (ii) the federal funds effective rate plus 1/2 of 1.0%; and (iii)the secured overnight financing rate, or SOFR, plus a 0.10% credit spread adjustment to the SOFR benchmark, or Adjusted Term SOFR, plus 1.00%; provided that if the Adjusted Term SOFR is less than zero, the Adjusted Term SOFR shall be deemed to be zero. The interest rate margins under the 2021 Revolving Facility are subject to a reduction of 0.25% and a further reduction of 0.25% if the total net first lien leverage ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00 and 2.50 to 1.00, respectively.

Previous wording

We have the option to voluntarily repay outstanding loans at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to SOFR loans. There is no scheduled amortization under the 2021 Revolving Facility. The principal amount outstanding is due and payable in full on July 1, 2026.

Current wording

We have the option to voluntarily repay outstanding loans at any time without premium or penalty, other than customary “breakage” costs with respect to SOFR loans. There is no scheduled amortization under the 2021 Revolving Facility. The principal amount outstanding is due and payable in full at maturity on July 1, 2026.

Previous wording

The 2021 Revolving Facility requires compliance with a total net first lien leverage ratio of 4.50 to 1.00, or the Financial Covenant. The Financial Covenant will be tested at quarter-end only if the total principal amount of all revolving loans, swingline loans and drawn letters of credit that have not been reimbursed exceeds 35% of the total commitments under the 2021 Revolving Facility on the last day of such fiscal quarter.

Current wording

The 2021 Revolving Facility requires compliance with a total net first lien leverage ratio not to exceed 4.50 to 1.00, or the Financial Covenant. The Financial Covenant will be tested at quarter-end only if the total principal amount of all revolving loans, swingline loans and drawn letters of credit that have not been reimbursed exceeds 35% of the total commitments under the 2021 Revolving Facility on the last day of such fiscal quarter.

Previous wording

For a discussion of our cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021, refer to Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 1, 2023.

Current wording

For a discussion of our cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2022, refer to Part II, Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which was filed with the SEC on February 29, 2024.

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Rearranged current paragraphs (3)

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

Interest income consists of interest income generated from our money market investments.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

In 2024, net cash used in investing activities was $35.7 million, resulting primarily from purchase of property and equipment, including capitalized internal-use software.

Current report — wording carried from elsewhere

For these arrangements, we recognize revenue on a net basis as an agent. For other services provided by third parties, including deed transfer, accounting, business data protection, revenue is recognized net of fees payable to third-parties. For partner revenue, we receive a fee for the referral of our customer to the partner or we retain a portion of the fee paid by the customer and share the remainder with the partner. Our partner controls the service to the customer and the partner is responsible for fulfilling the referred service to the customer, accordingly, we recognize revenue for these arrangements on a net basis.
Rearranged previous paragraphs (1)

Previous report — wording carried elsewhere

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes