Note 17: Commitments and Contingencies
We record a liability when we believe that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Significant judgment is required to determine both probability and the estimated amount. We review these provisions at least quarterly and adjust these provisions to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and updated information.
Legal Matters
In the normal course of business, there are various claims in process, matters in litigation, and other contingencies. At this time, no claims of these types, certain of which are covered by insurance policies, have had a material effect on the Company. Certain jurisdictions in which the Company operates do not provide insurance recoveries related to punitive damages. For matters pertaining to the pre-Acquisition activities of Custom Truck LP, certain affiliates of The Blackstone Group (“Blackstone”) and other direct and indirect equity holders (collectively, “Sellers”) of Custom Truck LP have agreed to indemnify Nesco Holdings and Nesco Holdings II, Inc. for losses arising out of the breach of Sellers’ pre-closing covenants in the purchase agreement and certain indemnified tax matters, with recourse limited to a $10.0 million and $5.0 million escrow account, respectively.
From time to time, the Company is audited by state and local taxing authorities. These audits typically focus on the Company’s withholding of state-specific sales tax and rental-related taxes.
Custom Truck LP’s withholdings of federal excise taxes for each of the four quarterly periods during 2015 are currently under audit by the IRS. The IRS issued an assessment on October 28, 2020 in an aggregate amount of $2.4 million for the 2015 periods, alleging that certain types of sold equipment are not eligible for the Mobile Machinery Exemption set forth in the Internal Revenue Code (the
“Code”). An appeal was filed on January 28, 2021. Based on management’s understanding of the facts and circumstances, including the relevant provisions of the Code, and historical precedent, including previous successful appeals of similar assessments in prior years, management does not believe the likelihood of a loss resulting from the IRS assessment to be probable at this time.
While it is not possible to predict the outcome of the foregoing matters with certainty, it is the opinion of management that the final outcome of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Purchase Commitments
We enter into purchase agreements with manufacturers and suppliers of equipment for our rental fleet and inventory. All of these agreements are cancellable within a specified notification period to the supplier.