15. INCOME TAXES

 

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, Income Taxes, using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse or such carryforwards are expected to be utilized.

 

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are reduced, if deemed necessary, by a valuation allowance for the amount of tax benefits which are not expected to be realized.

 

The following is a summary of the components giving rise to the income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended December 31:

 

The provision (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following:

 

   2025   2024 
Currently payable:          
Federal  $-   $- 
State   -    8,000 
Foreign   -    - 
Total currently payable   -    8,000 
Deferred:          
Federal   (4,672,000)   256,000
State   

70,000

   (290,000)
Foreign   (9,000)   (4,000)
Total deferred   (4,611,000)   (38,000)
Less: increase/(decrease) in allowance   4,611,000    38,000 
Net deferred   -    - 
Total income tax provision  $-   $8,000 

 

 

Individual components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

 

 

   2025   2024 
Deferred tax assets:          
Net operating loss carry forwards  $25,672,000   $19,201,000 
Net operating loss IRC 382 limited   9,634,000    9,634,000 
Unrealized loss on securities   4,407,000    4,243,000 
Equity issued for services   197,000    194,000 
Goodwill and other intangibles   95,000    84,000 
Investment in pass-through entity   11,000    11,000 
Deferred revenue   176,000    176,000 
Operating Lease Liability   1,419,000    1,557,000 
Depreciation and amortization   1,000    1,000 
Other   2,480,000    3,094,000 
Gross deferred tax assets   44,092,000    38,195,000 
           
Deferred tax liabilities:          
Goodwill and other intangibles   3,367,000    1,567,000 
Depreciation and amortization   (61,000)   309,000 
Right to Use Asset   1,311,000    1,455,000 
Gross deferred tax liabilities   4,617,000    3,331,000 
Less: valuation allowance   (39,475,000)   (34,864,000)
           
Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)  $-   $- 

 

At December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company has approximately $154.0 million and $126.2 million in federal net operating loss carry forwards (“NOLs”), respectively, available to reduce future taxable income. Under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, the net operating losses are subject to review and possible adjustment by the Internal Revenue Service and state tax authorities. Certain tax attributes are subject to an annual limitation as a result of certain cumulative changes in ownership interest of significant shareholders which could constitute a change of ownership as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company has completed a full analysis of historical ownership changes and determined that a portion of the net operating losses have a limitation on future deductibility. Approximately $43.8 million of net operating losses incurred prior to 2020 will be unable to offset future taxable income and have been reserved via a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax asset to the expected realizable amount, leaving $2.9 million available for use which expire at various dates through 2038 and the residual which never expire. Additionally, at December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company had approximately $20.7 million and $20.7 of California and Illinois NOL carry-forwards, respectively, which expire through 2043. The NOL carry forwards may be limited in certain circumstances, including ownership change and have been fully reserved via a valuation allowance.

 

The valuation allowance for deferred tax assets decreased approximately $4.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2025 and increased approximately $2.2 for the year ended December 31, 2024, The valuation allowance for deferred tax liability increased approximately $1.3 million in the year ended December 31, 2025 and decreased approximately $2.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

The differences between the United States statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are as follows:

 

 

         2025         2024 
   2025   2024 
Statutory United States federal rate  $(5,766,000)   21.00%   (11,276,000)   21.00%
State income taxes net of federal benefit   63,000    (0.23)   (210,000)   0.39 
Permanent differences   13,000    (0.05)   5,286,000    (9.84)
Foreign Rate   1,000    (0.00)   -    0.00 
NOL DTA Write-off   36,000    (0.13)   41,000    (0.08)
other   1,042,000    (3.80)   6,142,000    (11.44)
Change in valuation reserves   4,611,000    (16.79)   25,000    (0.05)
                     
Effective tax rate  $-    0.00%  $8,000    (0.02)%

 

The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 the Company recognized no interest and penalties. The Company has taken no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Accordingly, the Company has recorded no liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of such dates, and no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions were recognized for the years then ended.

 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states. The tax years 2022-2024 generally remain open to examination by major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject.

 

 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Mar 31, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 31, 2025
2023Mar 27, 2024
2022Mar 31, 2023
2021Mar 31, 2022
2020Mar 31, 2021
2019Mar 31, 2020
2018Mar 15, 2019
2017Mar 6, 2018
2016Mar 28, 2017
2015Mar 30, 2016

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.