10. Income Taxes

We compute income taxes using the asset and liability method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under the asset and liability method, we determine deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on the differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and measure those using currently enacted tax rates and laws. We provide a valuation allowance for the amount of deferred tax assets that, based on available evidence, are more likely than not to be realized. Realization of our net operating loss carryforward was not reasonably assured as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and we have recorded a valuation allowance of $21.4 million and $17.4 million, respectively against deferred tax assets in excess of deferred tax liabilities in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

The components of net deferred taxes are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss

 

$

1,258

 

 

$

1,531

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

9,271

 

 

 

7,336

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,637

 

 

 

4,780

 

Interest expense

 

 

6,005

 

 

 

2,952

 

Capitalized software costs

 

 

(21

)

 

 

(53

)

Bonus accrual

 

 

131

 

 

 

210

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

218

 

 

 

412

 

Other

 

 

(98

)

 

 

245

 

Total deferred tax assets, net

 

 

21,401

 

 

 

17,413

 

Less: valuation allowance

 

 

(21,401

)

 

 

(17,413

)

Net deferred taxes

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

Our statutory income tax rate is expected to be approximately 26%. We had income tax expense of $291 thousand and $387 thousand for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is attributable to state obligations for states with no net

operating loss carryforwards, the continued reserve against the benefit of the net operating losses at the federal level, and other timing differences. The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Current

 

$

291

 

 

$

387

 

Deferred

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

291

 

 

$

387

 

 

The reconciliation between the income tax expense calculated by applying statutory rates to net loss and the income tax expense reported in the accompanying consolidated financial statements is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Years Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

U.S. federal statutory rate applied to pretax loss

 

$

(3,102

)

 

$

(1,450

)

State taxes - current, net of federal benefit

 

 

291

 

 

 

387

 

State taxes - deferred

 

 

(808

)

 

 

(428

)

Permanent differences

 

 

(171

)

 

 

(306

)

Benefit of federal operating loss carryforwards

 

 

63

 

 

 

(332

)

Change in state tax rates and other

 

 

30

 

 

 

(898

)

Change in valuation allowance

 

 

3,988

 

 

 

3,414

 

 

 

$

291

 

 

$

387

 

 

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we had federal income tax net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $4.8 million and $5.9 million, respectively, which primarily expire at various dates ranging from 2036 through 2037 and $300 thousand which can be carried forward indefinitely. We are subject to limitations existing under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 (Change of Control) relating to the availability of the operating loss, therefore utilization of a portion of the Company's net operating loss may be limited in future years.

As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we did not recognize any assets or liabilities relative to uncertain tax positions, nor do we anticipate any significant unrecognized tax benefits will be recorded during 2025. It is our policy to classify interest and penalties on income taxes as interest expense or penalties expense, should any be incurred.

Tax positions are positions taken in a previously filed tax return or positions expected to be taken in a future tax return that are reflected in measuring current or deferred income tax assets and liabilities reported in the financial statements. Tax positions include the following:

an allocation or shift of income between taxing jurisdictions;
the characterization of income or a decision to exclude reportable taxable income in a tax return; or
a decision to classify a transaction, entity, or other position in a tax return as tax exempt.
We are potentially subject to tax audits for federal and state tax returns for tax years ended 2020 to 2024. Tax audits by their very nature are often complex and can require several years to complete.
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Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2024Mar 12, 2025Showing above
2018Mar 14, 2019
2016Mar 31, 2017

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.