XML 79 R14.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
INCOME TAXES
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES

8. INCOME TAXES

 

Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of September 30 are as follows:

 

    2014     2013  
             
Deferred tax assets - Current:                
Inventory   $ 187     $ 208  
Accrued compensation and vacation     246       192  
Accrued expenses and other     178       185  
Total current deferred tax assets     611       585  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities – Current:                
Prepaid expenses     (72 )     (49 )
Total net current deferred tax assets     539       536  
                 
Deferred tax assets - Noncurrent:                
Domestic net operating loss carryforwards     4,828       5,737  
Stock compensation expense     54       45  
Foreign tax credit carryover     -       119  
AMT credit carryover     58       54  
Total noncurrent deferred tax assets     4,940       5,955  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities - Noncurrent:                
Unrealized gain/loss - warrant liability     (180 )     (530 )
Investment in subsidiary     (3,173 )     (3,214 )
Basis difference for fixed assets     (408 )     (461 )
      (3,761 )     (4,205 )
                 
Total net noncurrent deferred tax assets     1,179       1,750  
                 
Valuation allowance for net deferred tax assets     (1,718 )     (2,286 )
Net deferred tax  asset (liability)   $ -     $ -  

 

Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes are as follows as of the year ended September 30:

 

    2014     2013          
Current:                
Federal   $ 5     $ 13  
State and local     2       3  
Foreign     -       -  
                 
Deferred:                
Federal     -       -  
State and local     -       -  
Foreign     -       -  
Income tax (benefit) expense   $ 7     $ 16  

 

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations varied from the statutory federal income tax rate as follows:

 

    2014     2013        
Federal statutory income tax rate     34.0 %     34.0 %
Increases (decreases):                
State and local income taxes, net of Federal tax benefit, if applicable     (0.1 )     0.3  
Nondeductible expenses     (15.2 )     7.2  
Nontaxable foreign (gains) losses     -       -        
Uncertain tax positions     -       -        
Valuation allowance changes     (19.3 )     (39.4 )
Other     -       -  
Effective income tax rate     (0.6 )%     2.1 %

 

An impairment of goodwill in the amount of $374 was recorded that was not deductible for tax purposes. Therefore, no tax benefit was recorded.


In the prior year, we had foreign net operating loss carry forwards of $8,626 under current UK tax law that will never be recognized due to the closure of the UK facility. Consequently, the deferred tax asset and the valuation allowance related to the foreign net operating losses have been removed.

 

Realization of deferred tax assets associated with the net operating loss carry forward and credit carry forward is dependent upon generating sufficient taxable income prior to their expiration. The valuation allowance in fiscal 2014 and 2013 was $1,718 and $2,286, respectively for our domestic operations. Payments made in fiscal 2014 and 2013 for income taxes amounted to $17 and $3, respectively.

 

At September 30, 2014, we had domestic net operating loss carry forwards of approximately $11,959 for federal and $15,744 for state, which expire from September 30, 2015 through 2032. Further, we have an alternative minimum tax credit carry forward of approximately $58 available to offset future federal income taxes. This credit has an unlimited carry forward period.

 

We may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not to be sustained upon regulatory examination based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of the benefit for which an exposure exists is measured as the largest amount of benefit determined on a cumulative probability basis that we believe is more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement of the position. At September 30, 2014, a $16 liability remained for other uncertain income tax positions.

  

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

Change in unrecognized tax benefits:                    
    2014     2013          
Balance at beginning of the year   $ 16     $ 16  
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year     -       -  
Additions for tax positions of prior years     -       -  
Reductions for tax positions of prior years     -       -  
Settlements     -       -  
Balance at end of the year   $ 16     $ 16  

 

As noted in the table above, there has been no change in our gross uncertain tax positions during fiscal 2014 based on a state tax position.

 

We are no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for years before 2010 or state and local for years before 2009, with limited exceptions. For federal purposes, the tax attributes carried forward could be adjusted through the examination process and are subject to examination 3 years from the date of utilization. Furthermore, we are no longer subject to income tax examinations in the United Kingdom for years prior to 2009.

 

We have assessed the application of Internal Revenue Code Section 382 regarding certain limitations on the future usage of net operating losses. No limitation applies as of September 30, 2014, and we will continue to monitor activities in the future.