17. INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

17. INCOME TAXES

There was no Federal income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 due to the Company’s net losses. Income tax expense represents minimum state taxes due.

The blended Federal and State tax rate of 27.98% applies to loss before taxes. The Company’s tax expense differs from the “expected” tax expense for Federal income tax purposes, (computed by applying the United States Federal tax rate of 21% to loss before taxes), as follows:

	Year ended December 31,
	2019			2018
Computed “expected” tax expense (benefit)	$	(826,124	)	$	(755,744	)
State taxes, net of federal benefit		(271,629	)		(251,217	)
Non-deductible stock options		2,700,494			–
Non-deductible items		998			(74,120	)
True-up to tax return		5,073			–
Change in deferred tax asset valuation allowance		(1,605,712	)		1,081,081
Income tax expense	$	3,100		$	–

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, are as follows:

	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets:
Charitable contributions	$	–		$	2,900
Reserve for bad debt		680			17,805
Stock options		760,763			3,448,014
Deferred Revenue		24,077			233,883
Depreciation		–			22,937
Other		59,947			19,661
Net operating loss carryforward		8,996,569			7,755,622
Total gross deferred tax assets		9,842,036			11,500,822
Less: Deferred tax asset valuation allowance		(9,827,176	)		(11,432,888	)
Total net deferred tax assets		14,860			67,934
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accrued salaries		–			(67,934	)
Depreciation		(14,860	)		–
Total deferred tax liabilities		(14,860	)		(67,934	)
Total net deferred taxes	$	–		$	–

As a result of the Company’s history of incurring operating losses, a full valuation allowance has been established. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2019 was $9,827,176. The increase in the valuation allowance during 2019 was $1,605,712.

At December 31, 2019, the Company has a net operating loss carry forward of $32,153,569, of which $24,862,803 is available to offset future net income through 2037. The NOL expires during the years 2019 to 2037 and $7,290,766 may be carried forward indefinitely. The utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards is dependent upon the ability of the Company to generate sufficient taxable income during the carryforward period. In the event that a significant change in ownership of the Company occurs as a result of the Company’s issuance of common stock, the utilization of the NOL carry forward will be subject to limitation under certain provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. Management does not presently believe that such a change has occurred.