Note 8. Income taxes

Income taxes are included in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income at December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are summarized as follows:

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

2025

2024

2023

Current income tax expense (benefit)

U.S. Federal

$

(96)

$

1,401

$

State

 

314

 

1,258

 

191

Total

 

218

 

2,659

 

191

Deferred income tax expense (benefit)

 

  ​

 

  ​

 

  ​

U.S. Federal

 

(5,006)

 

4,141

 

808

State

 

(1,161)

 

796

 

40

Total

 

(6,167)

 

4,937

 

848

Total income tax expense (benefit)

$

(5,949)

$

7,596

$

1,039

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax provision to the income tax provision from continuing operations provided for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 is as follows:

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

2025

2024

2023

% of Pre-Tax

% of Pre-Tax

% of Pre-Tax

  ​ ​ ​

Amount

  ​ ​ ​

Income

  ​ ​ ​

Amount

  ​ ​ ​

Income

  ​ ​ ​

Amount

  ​ ​ ​

Income

  ​ ​ ​

U.S. federal statutory income tax rate

$

(2,950)

21.0

%  

$

7,048

21.0

%  

$

1,865

21.0

%  

State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect (1)

(849)

6.0

%  

1,843

5.5

%  

162

1.8

%  

Effect of changes in tax laws or rates enacted in the current period

%  

%  

182

2.1

%  

Nontaxable or nondeductible items

 

 

Executive compensation

 

331

 

(2.4)

%  

473

 

1.4

%  

90

 

1.0

%  

Stock compensation

 

674

 

(4.8)

%  

(1,057)

 

(3.2)

%  

(162)

 

(1.8)

%  

Other

69

(0.5)

%  

(56)

(0.2)

%  

250

2.8

%  

Tax credits

 

 

Research and development tax credits

 

(2,444)

 

17.4

%  

(766)

 

(2.3)

%  

(1,800)

 

(20.3)

%  

Changes in unrecognized tax benefits

 

509

 

(3.6)

%  

111

 

0.3

%  

478

 

5.4

%  

Other adjustments

Automation & technology infrastructure

(1,327)

9.4

%  

%  

%  

Other

 

38

 

(0.3)

%  

 

%  

(26)

 

(0.3)

%  

Effective tax rate

$

(5,949)

 

42.2

%  

$

7,596

 

22.6

%  

$

1,039

 

11.7

%  

(1)For the year ended December 31, 2025, the net state income tax benefit includes deferred tax effects from temporary differences primarily in Iowa, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, offset by current state income tax expense in Pennsylvania and Texas. These jurisdictions collectively represent more than 50% of the net state and local income tax effect.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and liabilities are presented below:

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

2025

2024

Deferred tax assets:

Deferred compensation

$

2,854

$

2,990

Inventory reserves

635

575

Non-inventory uniform capitalization

869

831

Accrued expenses

624

555

Right of use lease liabilities

7,837

7,380

Credits

2,327

Net operating loss

4,528

741

Interest expense

7

1,695

Other

379

302

Total deferred tax assets

20,060

15,069

Deferred tax liabilities:

Property, plant and equipment

19,639

20,948

Intangible assets

4,322

3,980

Right of use assets

7,393

6,964

Other

4

8

Total deferred tax liabilities

31,358

31,900

Valuation allowance

Net deferred tax liability

$

(11,298)

$

(16,831)

The Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $3,686 and state net operating carryforwards of $842. The federal net operating loss is indefinite in nature and the state federal net operating loss begins to expire in 2038.

Uncertain Tax Positions

Based on the Company’s evaluation, there is one unrecognized tax benefit requiring recognition in its financial statements as of December 31, 2025. Any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are recorded in income tax expense. The entire balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2025, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in various state and local jurisdictions. Federal tax returns for tax years beginning January 1, 2022, and state tax returns beginning January 1, 2021 are open for examination.

Details of Unrecognized Tax Benefits

The following is a reconciliation of beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits:

Balance as of December 31, 2022

$

384

Increase from current year tax positions

1,099

Increase from prior year tax positions

217

Decrease from expiration of statute of limitations

(25)

Balance as of December 31, 2023

1,675

Increase from current year tax positions

199

Decrease from prior year tax positions

(958)

Decrease from expiration of statute of limitations

(33)

Balance as of December 31, 2024

  ​ ​ ​

883

Increase from current year tax positions

286

Increase from prior year tax positions

223

Balance as of December 31, 2025

$

1,392

Total income taxes paid for the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 are presented below:

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 

2025

2024

2023

U.S. Federal

$

634

$

261

$

63

State and local taxes

 

 

Illinois

42

42

Michigan

104

Mississippi

27

42

Ohio

(60)

389

145

Pennsylvania

156

92

(54)

South Carolina

(123)

10

Texas

343

75

74

Virginia

10

135

60

Wisconsin

238

(566)

Other

28

11

Total income taxes paid

$

1,363

$

464

$

351

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Mar 4, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 6, 2025
2023Mar 6, 2024
2022Mar 1, 2023
2021Mar 2, 2022
2020Mar 5, 2021
2019Mar 2, 2020

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.