NOTE 12—INCOME TAXES

Ramaco Resources, Inc. is organized as a corporation under the laws of Delaware. Ramaco Resources, Inc. files a consolidated U.S. federal tax return with its wholly owned subsidiaries. All our operations are wholly within the United States, but our products are sold to customers worldwide.

Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following:

Years ended December 31, 

(In thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2023

Federal

Current

$

992

$

2,018

$

2,817

Deferred

(12,221)

 

1,746

 

17,323

State

Current

 

31

 

35

 

819

Deferred

 

504

 

(71)

 

1,391

Total

$

(10,694)

$

3,728

$

22,350

The items accounting for differences between income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and the provision recorded for income taxes were as follows:

Years ended December 31, 

(In thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

  ​ ​ ​

2023

Income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate

$

(13,049)

21.0%

$

3,134

21.0%

$

21,938

21.0%

$

$

$

State taxes, net of federal benefits (a)

 

(938)

1.5%

 

214

1.4%

 

1,210

1.2%

Effect of changes in tax laws or rates

1,449

(2.3%)

(166)

(1.1%)

350

0.3%

Nontaxable or nondeductible items

Percentage depletion

 

(1,600)

2.6%

 

(2,410)

(16.1%)

 

(1,717)

(1.6%)

162(m) compensation limitation

2,126

(3.4%)

6,172

41.4%

5,716

5.5%

Stock-based compensation

 

504

(0.8%)

 

(3,299)

(22.1%)

 

(3,395)

(3.3%)

Other

 

317

(0.5%)

 

397

2.7%

 

210

0.2%

Tax credits

0.0%

(21)

(0.1%)

(170)

(0.2%)

Effect of cross-border tax laws

IRC 250 FDII

0.0%

(1,475)

(1.4%)

Other adjustments

 

497

(0.9%)

 

(293)

(2.0%)

 

(317)

(0.3%)

Total

$

(10,694)

17.2%

$

3,728

25.0%

$

22,350

21.4%

(a) State taxes in West Virginia made up the majority of the tax effect in this category.

There was a significant decrease in 2025 and 2024 compared to 2023 in the foreign-derived intangible income deduction related to our worldwide sales, which was primarily due to the decrease in taxable income and other limitations.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

December 31, 

(In thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

Deferred tax assets:

 

  ​

 

  ​

Loss carryforwards U.S. - Federal/States

$

6,693

$

1,798

Asset retirement obligations

 

8,041

 

6,879

Section 163(j) business interest limitation

340

Section 263A inventory capitalization

1,928

1,156

Accrued expenses

 

3,750

 

2,144

Stock-based compensation

 

4,685

 

3,294

Other

134

Total deferred tax assets

 

25,231

 

15,611

Deferred tax liabilities:

Depreciation & amortization

 

(69,540)

 

(71,638)

Net deferred tax liabilities

$

(44,309)

$

(56,027)

As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s federal and state net operating loss carryforward were approximately $20.5 million and $48.0 million, respectively. The majority of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards are not subject to statutory expiration. State net operating losses of $2.0 million and $3.9 million expire in 2036 and 2046, respectively.

No valuation allowance was recognized by the Company for deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2025 or December 31, 2024.

We are subject to federal, state, and local income taxes in the United States. Significant judgment is required in evaluating tax positions taken and determining the provision for income taxes. As of December 31, 2025, we do not have any significant unrecognized tax benefits. The tax years 2022 through 2024 remain subject to examination by the taxing authorities. We are not currently under examination by any taxing authorities.

The Company made tax payments and received refunds as follows:

December 31, 

(In thousands)

  ​ ​ ​

2025

  ​ ​ ​

2024

2023

U.S. Federal

 

$

2,240

$

750

$

(10,935)

State:

West Virginia

 

1

 

381

 

250

Virginia

(285)

Other

 

(67)

 

39

 

121

Total state

(351)

420

371

 

Total cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds)

$

1,889

$

1,170

$

(10,564)

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 26, 2026Showing above
2024Mar 17, 2025
2023Mar 14, 2024
2022Mar 14, 2023
2021Apr 1, 2022
2020Feb 18, 2021
2019Feb 20, 2020
2018Mar 19, 2019
2017Mar 21, 2018

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.