NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

 

The components of our provision for income taxes for our fiscal years 2025 and 2024 are as follows:

 

   (in thousands) 
   2025   2024 
Current:        
Federal  $267   $246 
State   277    305 
    544    551 
Deferred:          
Federal   (1)   (282)
State   79    17 
    78    (265)
   $622   $286 

 

A reconciliation of income tax computed at the statutory federal rate to income tax expense is as follows:

 

   (in thousands) 
   2025   2024 
Tax provision at the statutory rate  $1,814   $1,173 
Non-controlling interests   (627)   (408)
State income taxes, net of federal income tax   279    264 
FICA tip credit   (1,112)   (1,029)
True up adjustment   46    77 
Other permanent items, net   222    209 
   $622   $286 

 

We have deferred tax liabilities and assets which arise primarily due to depreciation recorded at different rates for tax and book purposes offset by cost basis differences in depreciable assets due to the deferral of the recognition of insurance recoveries on casualty losses for tax purposes, investments in and management fees paid by limited partnerships, accruals for potential uninsured claims, bonuses accrued for book purposes but not paid within two and a half months for tax purposes, the capitalization of certain inventory costs for tax purposes not recognized for financial reporting purposes, the recognition of revenue from gift cards and other promotional programs not redeemed within twelve months of issuance, allowances for uncollectable receivables, unfunded limited retirement commitments, book-tax differences related to operating leases, interest rate swap mark-to-market adjustments and FICA tax credit.

 

The components of our deferred tax assets (liabilities) at September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024 were as follows:

 

   (in thousands) 
   2025   2024 
Deferred tax assets:        
Reversal of aged payables  $18   $18 
Capitalized inventory costs   26    26 
Accrued bonuses   77    52 
Accruals for potential uninsured claims   45    27 
Gift cards   271    247 
Deferred revenue   92    205 
Tip credit   1,200    914 
Operating lease liabilities   3,208    3,319 
Limited partnership investments   353    446 
Accrued limited retirement   73    76 
Interest rate swaps   
    14 
Subtotal  $5,363   $5,344 
Less: Valuation allowance   
    
 
Total net deferred tax assets   5,363    5,344 
   (in thousands) 
   2025   2024 
Deferred tax liabilities:        
Limited partnership management fees  $(636)  $(680)
Book/tax differences in property and equipment and intangible assets   (2,154)   (1,901)
Operating lease right of use assets   (3,020)   (3,152)
Interest Rate Swaps   (34)   
 
Total deferred tax liabilities   (5,844)   (5,733)
           
Net deferred tax liability  $(481)  $(389)

 

As of September 27, 2025, the Company has federal general business credit carryforward of $1,200,000. General business credit carryovers can be carried back 1 year and carried forward 20 years. The Company’s general business credit carryforward will begin to expire in fiscal year 2044. The Company and its subsidiaries file a U.S. Corporation federal income tax return and a Florida Corporation income tax return. These returns are subject to examination by taxing authorities for all fiscal years after 2021.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Dec 19, 2025Showing above
2024Dec 27, 2024
2023Dec 29, 2023
2022Jan 18, 2023
2021Jan 14, 2022
2020Jan 15, 2021
2019Dec 20, 2019
2018Dec 24, 2018
2017Dec 21, 2017
2016Dec 23, 2016
2015Dec 24, 2015

About Income Taxes Disclosures

The income tax disclosure reveals how much a company actually pays in taxes versus what the statutory rate would predict. Analysts focus on the effective tax rate (ETR) reconciliation, which breaks down every item driving the gap between the 21% federal rate and the company's reported ETR — including R&D credits, foreign rate differentials, and state taxes. Deferred tax assets (DTAs) and their valuation allowances signal management's confidence in future profitability: a rising allowance suggests the company doubts it can use accumulated tax benefits. Uncertain tax benefit (UTB) reserves quantify exposure to IRS challenges on aggressive positions.

Key signals to watch: sudden ETR drops without clear operational reasons, large increases in valuation allowances, growing UTB balances, and significant unremitted foreign earnings. Post-TCJA, pay attention to GILTI and BEAT provisions that affect multinational tax structures. Compare the cash taxes paid (from the cash flow statement) against the income tax provision to gauge earnings quality.