Note 9 - Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Notes to Financial Statements

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

(9)     INCOME TAXES

Our income tax is different than the expected amount computed using the applicable federal statutory income tax rate of 21%.  The reasons for and effects of such differences for the years ended December 31 are below (in thousands):

	2020			2019
Expected amount	$	(1,865	)	$	(17,262	)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		(644	)		(3,831	)
Percentage depletion		(2,154	)		(1,475	)
Valuation allowance		1,275			—
Stock-based compensation		67			326
Return to provision adjustments		(60	)		(78	)
Other		723			(27	)
	$	(2,658	)	$	(22,347	)

The deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between book and tax basis are comprised of the following at December 31 (in thousands):

	2020			2019
Long-term deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss	$	24,081		$	18,956
Valuation allowance		(1,275	)		—
Interest limitation carryforward		—			1,801
Capital loss carryforward		525			555
Alternative minimum tax credit		—			524
Stock-based compensation		179			135
Other		529			1,029
Total long-term deferred tax assets:		24,039			23,000
Coal properties		(26,863	)		(27,884	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(2,824	)	$	(4,884	)

Our effective tax rate (ETR) for 2020 was 30% compared to 27% for 2019. The tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 are not predictive of future tax rates. Historically, our actual ETRs have differed from the statutory effective rates primarily due to the benefit received from statutory depletion allowances. The deduction for statutory depletion does not necessarily change proportionately to changes in income before income taxes.

We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent that we believe that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. We believe that it is more likely than not that the benefit from certain state NOL carryforwards will not be realized. In recognition of this, we have provided a valuation allowance of $1.3 million and $0 on the deferred tax assets related to these state NOL carryforwards as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

We have analyzed our filing positions in all of the federal and state jurisdictions where we are required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions, to determine whether the positions will be more likely than not be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold are not recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. We identified our federal tax return and our Indiana state tax return as “major” tax jurisdictions. We believe that our income tax filing positions and deduction will be sustained on audit and do not anticipate any adjustments that will result in a material change to our consolidated financial position. While not material, we record any penalties and interest as SG&A.   Tax returns filed with the IRS and state entities generally remain subject to examination for three years after filing.

At December 31, 2020, we had approximately $89 million and $123 million of federal and Indiana net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”), respectively. These NOLs are available to offset future taxable income. Federal NOLs generated in 2017 and prior years have a carryforward period of 20 years while those generated in 2018 and future years carryforward indefinitely. The federal NOLs will expire in varying amounts from 2035 to 2037 if they are not utilized. Indiana NOLs have a 20-year carryforward period and will expire in the years 2034 to 2040 if they are not utilized.