Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Policies

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation-The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Chicago Rivet & Machine Co. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, H & L Tool Company, Inc. (“H & L Tool”).  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition- Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, generally upon shipment of goods or completion of services, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.  Sales taxes we may collect concurrent with revenue producing activities are excluded from revenue.  Revenue is recognized net of certain sales adjustments to arrive at net sales as reported on the statement of income.  These adjustments primarily relate to customer returns and allowances, which vary over time.  The Company records a liability and reduction in sales for estimated product returns based upon historical experience.  If we determine that our obligation under warranty claims is probable and subject to reasonable determination, an estimate of that liability is recorded as an offset against revenue at that time.  As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, reserves for warranty claims were not material.  

Cash received by the Company prior to shipment is recorded as unearned revenue.  For certain assembly equipment segment transactions, revenue is recognized based on progress toward completion of the performance obligation using a labor-based measure.  Labor incurred and specific material costs are compared to milestone payments per sales contract.  Based on our experience, this method most accurately reflects the transfer of goods under such contracts.  During 2023, the Company realized $342,328 of revenue related to such contracts, and has $123,172 for the remaining performance obligation under such contracts which the Company expects to recognize as revenue in the first quarter of 2024. Contract assets of $118,301 was recorded relating to these contracts. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are recognized in net sales, and related costs as cost of sales, when incurred.

Credit Risk

Credit Risk-The Company extends credit on the basis of terms that are customary within our markets to various companies doing business primarily in the automotive industry.  The Company has a concentration of credit risk primarily within the automotive industry and in the Midwestern United States.  The Company has established an allowance for accounts that may become uncollectible in the future.  This estimated allowance is based primarily on management's evaluation of the financial condition of the customer and historical experience.  The Company monitors its accounts receivable and charges to expense an amount equal to its estimate of potential credit losses.  The Company considers a number of factors in determining its estimates, including the length of time its trade accounts receivable are past due, the Company's previous loss history and the customer's current ability to pay its obligation.  The Company also considers current economic conditions, the economic outlook and industry-specific factors in its evaluation.  Accounts receivable balances are charged off against the allowance when it is determined that the receivable will not be recovered.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments-The Company considers all highly liquid investments, including U.S. Treasury bills and certificates of deposit, with a maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  Certificates of deposit and treasury bills with an original maturity of greater than three months but less than one year are separately presented as Short-Term Investments at cost which approximates market value.  The Company maintains cash on deposit in several financial institutions. At times, the account balances may be in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured limits.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments-The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, certificates of deposit, treasury bills, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value based on their short-term nature.

Inventories

Inventories-Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, cost being determined by the first-in, first-out method.  The value of inventories is reduced for estimated excess and obsolete inventories based on a review of on-hand inventories compared to historical and estimated future sales and usage.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment-Properties are stated at cost and are depreciated over their estimated useful lives using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes.  Accelerated methods of depreciation are used for income tax purposes.  Direct costs related to developing or obtaining software for internal use are capitalized as property and equipment.  Capitalized software costs are amortized over the software’s useful life when the software is placed in service.  The estimated useful lives by asset category are:

Asset Category	Estimated Useful Life
Land improvements……………..	15 to 40 years
Buildings and improvements……	10 to 40 years
Machinery and equipment………	5 to 18 years
Capitalized software costs………	3 to 5 years
Other equipment…………………	3 to 10 years

The Company reviews the carrying value of property, plant and equipment for impairment whenever events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from the estimated future cash flows expected to result from its use and eventual disposition.  In cases where undiscounted expected future cash flows are less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized equal to an amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of assets.  There were no triggering events requiring assessment of impairment as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.

When properties are retired or sold, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts, and any gain or loss on disposition is recognized in current operations.  Maintenance, repairs and minor betterments that do not improve the related asset or extend its useful life are charged to operations as incurred.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—Deferred income taxes are determined under the asset and liability method.  Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the income tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements.  Deferred taxes are shown on the balance sheet as a net long-term asset or liability.

The Company applies a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, classification and disclosure of uncertain tax positions.  In the first step of the two-step process, the Company evaluates the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. In the second step, the Company measures the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement.  As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company determined that there are no uncertain tax positions with a more than 50% likelihood of being realized upon settlement.

The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.  There were no such expenses in 2023 or 2022.

The Company’s federal income tax returns for the 2020 through 2022 tax years are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).  While it may be possible that a reduction could occur with respect to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits as an outcome of an IRS examination, management does not anticipate any adjustments that would result in a material change to the results of operations or financial condition of the Company.

No statutes have been extended on any of the Company’s federal income tax filings. The statute of limitations on the Company’s 2020, 2021 and 2022 federal income tax returns will expire on September 15, 2024, 2025 and 2026, respectively.

The Company’s state income tax returns for the 2020 through 2022 tax years are subject to examination by various state authorities with the latest closing period on October 31, 2026.  The Company is currently not under examination by any state authority for income tax purposes and no statutes for state income tax filings have been extended.

Segment Information

Segment Information-The Company reports segment information based on the internal structure and reporting of the Company’s operations.

Net Income Per Share

Net Income Per Share- Net income per share of common stock is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding of 966,132 in 2023 and 2022.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates-The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes.  Significant items subject to estimates and assumptions include depreciable lives, deferred taxes and valuation allowances for accounts receivable and inventory obsolescence.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements- In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and in November 2018 issued an amendment, ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses.  ASU 2016-13 amends the impairment model by requiring entities to use a forward-looking approach based on expected losses rather than incurred losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. This may result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. ASU 2016-13 and ASU 2018-19 should be applied on either a prospective transition or modified-retrospective approach depending on the subtopic.  ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted this ASU on January 1, 2023.  The impact of the adoption on our consolidated financial statements was not material and primarily resulted in new/enhanced disclosures only.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which requires a public entity to disclose its significant segment expense categories and amounts for each reportable segment.  The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024.  The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU.  

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, to enhance the transparency and decision usefulness of income tax disclosures providing investors with information to better assess how an entity’s operations and related tax risks and tax planning and operational opportunities affect its tax rate and prospects for future cash flows. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 31, 2024.  The Company is evaluating the impact that it will have on our consolidated financial statements and disclosures.