Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Income Taxes

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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

Note 7 - Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense was $21.0 thousand and $10.0 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 8.7% and 1.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Our effective tax rates differed from the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate of 35.0% primarily because of the mix of pre-tax income or loss earned in certain jurisdictions and the change in our valuation allowance.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2016, we determined that valuation allowances against U.S. and U.K. (Rich Dad Education Limited only) deferred taxes were no longer required. Release of these valuation allowances resulted in a $2.4 million tax benefit, partially offset by tax on current period book income and other permanent and timing differences resulting in an income tax benefit. Release of the valuation allowances decreased our effective tax rate by 83.1%.

 

We record a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, valuation allowances of $4.5 million have been provided against net operating loss carryforwards and other deferred tax assets. Our valuation allowance decreased by $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016. There was no change in valuation allowance during the three months ended March 31, 2017.

 

As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had total unrecognized tax benefits of $1.7 million, related to foreign and domestic tax positions. Of this amount, the Company estimates that $0.6 million, of the unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. A substantial portion of our liability for uncertain tax benefits is recorded as a reduction of net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, we had no material changes in uncertain tax positions. 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.

 

The company was notified by the Internal Revenue Service that its federal income tax returns for the years 2013-2015 were selected for examination. The company believes its provision for income taxes is adequate; however any assessment would affect the company’s results of operations and possibly cash flows.

 

We were also notified by the Canadian Revenue Agency that our 2014-2016 goods and services tax (GST) and harmonized sales tax (HST) returns are being audited.