Note 10 - Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Note 10 - Income Taxes	Mar. 31, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 10 . Income Taxes During the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, net loss attributable to Avalon Holdings Corporation shareholders was $0.8 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Avalon recorded a state income tax provision in both the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, which was related entirely to the waste management and brokerage operations. Due to the recording of a full valuation allowance against the Company’s federal net deferred tax assets, the overall effective tax rate in both periods reflects taxes owed in certain U.S state jurisdictions. Avalon’s income tax benefit on the loss before taxes was offset by a change in the valuation allowance. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets relating to certain federal and state loss carryforwards will not be realized. Avalon continues to maintain a valuation allowance against the majority of its deferred tax amounts until it is evident that the deferred tax asset will be utilized in the future. On December 22, 2017, legislation commonly known as the Tax Act was signed into law. The Tax Act changes existing U.S. tax law and includes numerous provisions that will affect Avalon, including our income tax accounting, disclosure and tax compliance. The most impactful changes within the Tax Act are those that will reduce the U.S. corporate tax rates, business-related exclusions and deductions and credits. ASC 740, “Income Taxes ,” requires the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances to be recognized in the period in which the legislation is enacted. Avalon valued all deferred tax assets and liabilities at the newly enacted Corporate U.S income tax rate. Avalon has a full valuation allowance on its federal deferred tax assets.

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.