Effective Income Tax Rate

We recorded income tax expense of $6.6 million, or 28.9% of income before income taxes, for the nine month period ended January 29, 2017, compared to income tax expense of $7.4 million, or 35.7% of income before income taxes, for the nine month period ended January 31, 2016. Our effective income tax rates for the nine month periods ended January 29, 2017, and January 31, 2016, were based upon the estimated effective income tax rate applicable for the full year after giving effect to any significant items related specifically to interim periods. The effective income tax rate can be affected over the fiscal year by the mix and timing of actual earnings from our U.S. operations and foreign sources versus annual projections and changes in foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar.

The following schedule summarizes the factors that are attributable to the difference between income tax expense at the federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate reflected in the consolidated financial statements:

 

Deferred Income Taxes

Valuation Allowance

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, we evaluate our deferred income taxes to determine if a valuation allowance is required. ASC Topic 740 requires that companies assess whether a valuation allowance should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more-likely-than-not” standard, with significant weight being given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Since the company operates in multiple jurisdictions, we assess the need for a valuation allowance on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, taking into account the effects of local tax law. Based on our assessment at January 29, 2017, we recorded a partial valuation allowance of $557,000, of which $473,000 pertained to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and $84,000 pertained to loss carryfowards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland.  Based on our assessment at January 31, 2016, we recorded a partial valuation allowance of $874,000, of which $498,000 pertained to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and $376,000 pertained to loss carryfowards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland.  Based on our assessment at May 1, 2016, we recorded a partial valuation allowance of $590,000, of which $518,000 pertained to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and $72,000 pertained to loss carryfowards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland.

No valuation allowance was recorded against our net deferred tax assets associated with our operations located in China and Canada at January 29, 2017, January 31, 2016, and May 1, 2016, respectively.

The recorded valuation allowance of $557,000 at January 29, 2017, has no effect on our operations, loan covenant compliance, or the possible realization of certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and our loss carryforwards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland. If it is determined that it is more-likely-than-not that we will realize any of these deferred tax assets, an income tax benefit will be recognized at that time.

Undistributed Earnings

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, we assess whether the undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries will be reinvested indefinitely or eventually distributed to our U.S. parent company. ASC Topic 740 requires that a deferred tax liability should be recorded for undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries that will not be reinvested indefinitely. Based on our assessment as of January 29, 2017, it is our intention not to permanently invest our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries. Also, we assess the recognition of U.S. foreign income tax credits associated with foreign withholding and income tax payments and whether it is more-likely-than-not that our foreign income tax credits will not be realized. If it is determined that any foreign income tax credits need to be recognized or it is more-likely-than-not our foreign income tax credits will not be realized, an adjustment to our provision for income taxes will be recognized at that time.

At January 29, 2017, we had accumulated earnings and profits from our foreign subsidiaries totaling $143.2 million. At the same date, the deferred tax liability associated with our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $405,000, which included U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes totaling $42.5 million, offset by U.S. foreign income tax credits of $42.1 million.

At January 31, 2016, we had accumulated earnings and profits from our foreign subsidiaries totaling $100.9 million. At the same date, the deferred tax liability associated with our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $3.3 million, which included U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes totaling $37.3 million, offset by U.S. foreign income tax credits of $34.0 million.

At May 1, 2016, we had accumulated earnings and profits from our foreign subsidiaries totaling $129.6 million. At the same date, the deferred tax liability associated with our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $604,000, which included U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes totaling $38.5 million, offset by U.S. foreign income tax credits of $37.9 million.

Overall

At January 29, 2017, our non-current deferred tax asset of $422,000 pertains to our operations located in China. At January 31, 2016, our non-current deferred tax asset of $4.3 million represents $3.5 million and $773,000 from our operations located in the U.S. and China, respectively. At May 1, 2016, our non-current deferred tax asset of $2.3 million represents $1.7 million and $572,000 from our operations located in the U.S. and China, respectively.

At January 29, 2017, our non-current deferred tax liability of $2.9 million represents $1.7 million and $1.2 million from our operations located in Canada and the U.S., respectively. Our non-current deferred tax liability balances of $1.2 million and $1.5 million at January 31, 2016 and May 1, 2016, respectively, pertain to our operations located in Canada.

Uncertainty In Income Taxes

At January 29, 2017, we had a $13.4 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, of which $11.6 million and $1.8 million were classified as non-current deferred income taxes and income taxes payable – long-term, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At January 31, 2016, we had a $13.2 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, of which $9.7 million and $3.5 million were classified as non-current deferred income taxes and income taxes payable – long-term, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At May 1, 2016, we had $14.9 million of total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, of which $11.1 million and $3.8 million were classified as non-current deferred income taxes and income taxes payable – long-term, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

At January 29, 2017, our $13.4 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit included $1.8 million that, if recognized, would favorably affect the income tax rate in future periods. At January 31, 2016, our $13.2 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, included $3.5 million that, if recognized, would favorably affect the income tax rate in future periods. At May 1, 2016, our $14.9 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit included $3.8 million that, if recognized, would favorably affect the income tax rate in future periods.

Our gross unrecognized income tax benefit of $13.4 million at January 29, 2017, relates to tax positions for which significant change is reasonably possible within the next year. This amount primarily relates to double taxation under applicable income tax treaties with foreign tax jurisdictions. United States federal and state income tax returns filed by us remain subject to examination for income tax years 2005 and subsequent due to loss carryforwards. Canadian federal returns filed by us remain subject to examination for income tax years 2010 and subsequent. Canadian provincial (Quebec) returns filed by us remain subject to examination for income tax years 2009 and subsequent, with the statute of limitations for the 2009 income tax year expiring in April 2017. Income tax returns associated with our operations located in China are subject to examination for income tax year 2011 and subsequent.

Currently, the Internal Revenue Service is examining our U.S. Federal income tax returns for fiscal 2014, and no adjustments have been proposed at this time. We currently expect this examination to be completed during fiscal 2018. During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, Revenue Quebec commenced an examination of our Canadian provincial (Quebec) income tax returns for fiscal years 2013 through 2015, and no adjustments have been proposed at this time. We currently expect this examination to be completed during fiscal 2018.

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, an unrecognized income tax benefit for an uncertain income tax position can be recognized in the first interim period if the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met by the reporting period, or is effectively settled through examination, negotiation, or litigation, or the statue of limitations for the relevant taxing authority to examine and challenge the tax position has expired. If it is determined that any of the above conditions occur regarding our uncertain income tax positions, an adjustment to our unrecognized income tax benefit will be recorded at that time.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, we recognized an income tax benefit of $2.1 million for the reversal of an uncertain income tax position associated with a foreign jurisdiction in which the statute of limitations expired. This income tax benefit was treated as a discrete event in which the full income tax effects of the adjustment were recorded in the three and nine month periods ending January 29, 2017.