Note 16 — Income taxes

The components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 were as follows:

    

2024

    

2023

Current:

Federal

$

(446)

$

272

State

 

(80)

 

7

Total current

 

(526)

 

279

Deferred:

 

 

Federal

 

61

 

(71)

State

 

 

Total deferred

 

61

 

(71)

Total income tax provision

$

(465)

$

208

    

2024

    

2023

Deferred Tax Assets:

Accruals, Others

$

46

$

107

Reserves

 

15

 

52

UNICAP & Inventoriable Costs

 

272

 

175

Inventory Impairment

1,612

1,134

Leases

31

31

Interest Carryforward

30

31

Financial Instruments

 

367

 

1,392

Intangibles

 

265

 

982

Other

 

255

 

29

Net Operating Losses

7,109

3,849

Valuation Allowance

(9,350)

(7,011)

Total deferred tax assets

$

652

 

771

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

Prepaid Expense

$

(62)

 

(162)

Book Tax Depreciation

 

(640)

 

(597)

Other

Leases

 

(30)

 

(30)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

(732)

 

(789)

Deferred tax (liabilities) assets, net

$

(80)

$

(18)

The total provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2024, and 2023 varies from the federal statutory rate as a result of the following:

    

2024

    

2023

 

Loss before income tax expense

$

(21,960)

$

(22,060)

Statutory tax rate

 

21

%

 

21

%

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(4,612)

 

(4,633)

Increase (decrease) resulting from:

 

 

Permanent Differences

 

1,681

 

2,300

State Income Tax, net of FBOS

 

 

(177)

Movement in receivables

(619)

Valuation Allowance

2,338

3,428

Deferred Adjustment

 

665

 

Other, net

 

82

 

(710)

Income tax expense (benefit)

 

(465)

 

208

Current income tax expense (benefit)

 

(526)

 

279

Deferred income tax (benefit)

 

61

 

(71)

Total

$

(465)

$

208

Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes. As a result of the Company’s evaluation of both the positive and negative evidence, the Company determined it does not believe it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be utilized in the foreseeable future and has recorded a valuation allowance. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company recognized an income tax benefit primarily driven by federal tax refunds. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized income tax expense because of a true-up on the federal tax payable and interest on late payment of the federal tax payable.

During 2024, the Company determined that it experienced an ownership change as defined under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The result of the ownership change is subjecting tax attributes to an annual limitation which includes the utilization of the Company's net operating losses. As a result of the merger with Legacy SMAP, the Company acquired a federal net operating loss tax attribute. These net operating losses are fully limited under section 382. The Company will continue to monitor ownership changes throughout future periods.

Changes in the valuation allowance are as follows:

    

2024

    

2023

Balance, beginning of the year

$

7,011

$

3,583

Additions to valuation allowance

2,339

 

3,428

Balance, end of the year

9,350

 

7,011

The Company intends to continue maintaining a valuation allowance on its deferred tax assets until there is sufficient evidence to support reversal of all or some portion of these allowances.

The Company reported U.S. net operating loss carryforwards of $30,797 and state net operating loss carryforward of $39,677.  For federal income tax purposes the $30,797 of net operating losses will not expire. For state income tax purposes, the Company has $36,298 of net operating losses which are subject to expiration. The carryforward life for the net operating losses is dependent on the rules for each jurisdiction and therefore the losses are subject to expiration with the earliest year being 2037 and the latest year being 2044. The Company experienced an ownership change on July 1, 2024, and as a result both federal and state net operating losses before that date are subject to 382 limitations.  In addition, the Company also had U.S. interest limitation carryforwards of $133 with an indefinite expiration date.

There were no unrecognized tax benefits or activity for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operation and as of December 31, 2024, and 2023. We file income tax returns in the U.S. as well as in various states and the Company notes that the earliest year open to examination is 2020. The Company is not currently under examination by any major tax jurisdiction.

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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.