Note 8 - Income Taxes

In response to liquidity issues that businesses are facing as a result of the recent novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") global pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") was signed into law on March 27, 2020 by the U.S. government. The CARES Act allows for Net Operating Losses (NOLs) to offset 100% of taxable income retroactive to 2019. Under prior rules, only 80% of taxable income could be offset by NOLs. As a result of the application of the CARES Act, our tax liability was positively impacted by a net benefit of $88.0 thousand. In addition, the CARES Act temporarily increases the deductible interest expense limitation for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020.

We recorded an income tax benefit of $127.0 thousand and $60.0 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Our effective tax rate was (4.3) % and 36.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. Our effective tax rates differed from the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate of 21% primarily because of the mix of pre-tax income or loss earned in certain jurisdictions.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities, at enacted income tax rates, based on the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We include any effects of changes in income tax rates or tax laws in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. When it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, we provide a corresponding valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.

As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we retained a valuation allowances of $4.7 million and $4.7 million, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we had no material changes in uncertain tax positions. We do not expect any significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits in the next year. We estimate $0.3 million and $0.3 million of the unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

We record interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within the provision for income taxes. We believe that no current tax positions that have resulted in unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within one year. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in various state and foreign jurisdictions.

Our federal income tax returns for the years subsequent to 2017 are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Our state tax returns for all years after 2017 or 2016, depending on each state's jurisdiction, are subject to examination. In addition, our Canadian tax returns and United Kingdom tax returns for all years after 2013 are subject to examination.