Note 11 — Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:

 

             
   For The Years Ended 
   December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Current - Federal  $1,576   $249 
Current - State   856    345 
Deferred - Federal   (71)   (369)
Deferred - State   14    (58)
Income tax provision  $2,375   $167 

  

 

For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the expected tax expense based on the statutory rate is reconciled with the actual tax expense as follows:

 

             
   For The Years Ended 
   December 31, 
   2024   2023 
U.S. federal statutory rate   21.0%   21.0%
State taxes, net of federal benefit   8.0%   9.7%
Permanent differences   (0.4%)   6.3%
Change in tax rates   (0.4%)   9.0%
Return-to-provision adjustments   (0.5%)   1.9%
Tax credits   (1.5%)   (22.3%)
Income tax provision   26.2%   25.6%

 

As of December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s net deferred tax asset consisted of the effects of temporary differences attributable to the following:

 

             
   As of December 31, 
(in thousands)  2024   2023 
Deferred tax assets:   -      
Net operating losses  $647   $814 
Stock-based compensation   115    103 
Depreciation and amortization   942    762 
Accrued expenses and reserves   243    257 
Inventory capitalization   165       
Customer deposits   18    37 
Tax credits   267    367 
Lease accounting, net   6    2 
Gross deferred tax assets   2,403    2,342 
Valuation allowance   (185)   (185)
Total deferred tax assets   2,218    2,157 
Deferred tax liabilities   -      
Prepaid expenses   (21)   (17)
Total deferred tax liabilities   (21)   (17)
Net deferred tax assets  $2,197   $2,140 

 

The Company has state net operating loss carryforwards (each, an “NOL”) spread across various jurisdictions with a combined total of approximately $6.3 million as of December 31, 2024. A majority of the state NOL’s are attributed to the State of Illinois which begin to expire in 2037. Additionally, the Company also has federal and state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $0.3 million as of December 31, 2024. These credit carryforwards do not expire.

 

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the future generation of taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the ability to carryback taxable income, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, tax-planning strategies, and future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards in making this assessment. As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. As of December 31, 2024, management determined there continues to be sufficient positive evidence that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets (other than foreign net operating losses) are realizable.

 

 

Management has evaluated and concluded that there were no material uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company does not expect any significant changes in its unrecognized tax benefits within 12 months of the reporting date. The Company has U.S. federal and certain state tax returns subject to examination by tax authorities beginning with those filed for the year ended December 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.