NOTE E – INCOME TAXES

We calculate our interim income tax provision in accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes in interim periods. At the end of each interim period, we make our best estimate of the annual expected effective tax rate and apply that rate to our ordinary year-to-date income or loss.  In addition, we calculate a year-to-date adjustment to increase or decrease our income tax provision to take into account our current expected effective tax rate.  The tax or benefit related to significant, unusual, or extraordinary items are individually computed and recognized in the interim period in which those items occur.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider projections of future taxable income, tax planning strategies and the reversal of temporary differences in making this assessment.

During 2015, we determined that we would not meet the criteria of “more likely than not” that our federal and state net operating losses and certain other deferred tax assets would be recoverable. This determination was based on our assessment of both positive and negative evidence regarding realization of our deferred tax assets, in particular, the strong negative evidence associated with our cumulative loss over the past three years. Accordingly, we recorded a valuation allowance against these items. The deferred tax assets consist of federal net operating losses, state net operating losses, tax credits, and other deferred tax assets, most of which expire between 2017 and 2036. We will maintain the valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets until sufficient positive evidence outweighs any negative evidence to support reversal. Income tax expense recorded in the future will be reduced or increased to the extent of offsetting decreases or increases to the valuation allowance.

As a result of recording a valuation allowance, we recognized deferred tax expense of less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, representing an effective tax rate of (2.4%), for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The deferred tax expense recognized on a net loss before income taxes, and the difference in the effective tax rate from the federal statutory rate, is due primarily to the book and tax basis and accounting differences for certain long and indefinite lived intangible assets. We have also recognized a provision for income tax expense for certain state income taxes that cannot utilize offsetting net operating losses. Income tax expense recorded in the future will be reduced or increased to the extent of offsetting decreases or increases to the valuation allowance.

We file U.S., state and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitation. The 2012 through 2016 tax years generally remain subject to examination by federal and most state tax authorities. However, certain returns from earlier years in which net operating losses have arisen are still open for examination by the tax authorities.