INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

12. INCOME TAXES  

The following table sets forth income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (stated in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2023		2022
Income tax expense:
Federal	$	—	$	—
State		60		5
		60		5
Deferred tax (benefit) expense:
Federal		(729)		179
State		(67)		18
		(796)		197
Total income tax (benefit) expense	$	(736)	$	202

The following table sets forth deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 (stated in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2023		2022
Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities):
Noncurrent:
Fixed assets	$	(41)	$	(101)
Stock-based and performance share compensation.		1,408		1,920
Equity method investments		(134)		(138)
Accrual to cash adjustment		243		(4,079)
ROU Asset		(139)		(154)
Lease liability		161		180
Net operating loss and carryforward		9,354		7,792
Intangibles		1,347		1,773
Debt issuance costs		1		10
Accretion expense		(14)		(268)
Total Noncurrent DTL		12,186		6,935
Valuation Allowance		(12,186)		(7,731)
Deferred Tax Liabilities, net	$	—	$	(796)

The following table sets forth the effective tax rate reconciliation for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 (stated in thousands):

	Years Ended December 31,
	2023		2022
Reconciliation of effective tax rate:
Federal taxes at statutory rate	21.0	%	21.0	%
State taxes, net of federal benefit	1.4	%	2.0	%
Permanent items	(1.2)	%	—	%
Performance shares	—	%	1.1	%
Provision to return adjustment and other	(1.6)	%	(0.4)	%
Change in rate	0.4	%	0.8	%
Change in valuation allowance	(16.8)	%	(24.7)	%
NOL carryback difference	(0.5)	%	(0.5)	%
Effective income tax rate	2.7	%	(0.7)	%

The Company had an nominal effective tax rate of for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022.

At December 31, 2023, $40.1 million of cumulative net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes were available to offset future taxable income of which none is subject to expiration. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 contains provisions that limit the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards if there has been a change in ownership as described in Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The Company has not prepared an analysis to determine if a change of control has occurred. Such a change of ownership may limit the Company’s utilization of its net operating losses.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is probable 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. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is probable that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences at December 31, 2023.

The Company accounts for unrecognized tax benefits in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes.  As of December 31, 2023, the Company has not recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax (benefit)/expense. No interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions were accrued as at December 31, 2023.  

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company is not under examination in any jurisdiction and the tax years 2019 through 2023 remain open to examination in its federal and state jurisdictions.