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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
The components of the income tax provision were as follows (in thousands): 
 Year Ended September 30,
 202320222021
Current: 
Federal$18,129 $557 $911 
State4,036 403 472 
Foreign107 7 73 
 22,272 967 1,456 
Deferred: 
Federal(7,458)(154)(1,062)
State(1,499)(41)(30)
Foreign1,110 (4,666)97 
 (7,847)(4,861)(995)
Total income tax provision (benefit)$14,425 $(3,894)$461 
Income before income taxes was as follows (in thousands): 
 Year Ended September 30,
 202320222021
U.S.$56,923 $3,175 $3,076 
Foreign12,027 6,668 (1,984)
Income before income taxes$68,950 $9,843 $1,092 
A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. income tax rate and the effective income tax rate, as computed on earnings before income tax provision (benefit) in each of the three years presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, was as follows:
 Year Ended September 30,
 202320222021
Statutory rate21 %21 %21 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit3 3 25 
Research and development credit(2)(14)(101)
Foreign rate differential— 1 10 
Foreign taxes— — 10 
Valuation allowance(3)(62)62 
Deferred tax rate differential— (1)(19)
Non-deductible expenses1 9 30 
Impact of U.S. global intangible taxes and benefits1 3 — 
Other— — 4 
Effective rate21 %(40)%42 %

Our income tax provision reflects an effective tax rate on pre-tax results of 21% in Fiscal 2023 compared to negative 40% and 42% in Fiscal 2022 and 2021, respectively. The income tax provision for Fiscal 2023 was favorably impacted by the reversal of a valuation allowance on the United Kingdom (U.K.) deferred tax assets that were previously fully reserved, in addition to the current year estimated Research and Development Tax Credit (R&D Tax Credit). These items were offset by state tax expense, the tax expense related to certain nondeductible expenses and an inclusion related to U.S. global intangible income.

The income tax benefit for Fiscal 2022 was largely a result of the reversal of a valuation allowance on the Canadian deferred tax assets that were previously fully reserved, in addition to the estimated R&D Tax Credit. These items were partially offset by the tax expense related to certain nondeductible expenses, the gain on the disposition of a small, non-core division of our Canadian operations and an inclusion related to U.S. global intangible income.
The income tax provision for Fiscal 2021 was favorably impacted by the estimated R&D Tax Credit as well as the utilization of net operating loss carryforwards in Canada that were fully reserved with a valuation allowance. In Fiscal 2021, the tax provision was negatively impacted by the losses recognized in other foreign jurisdictions, primarily in the U.K., that were reserved with a valuation allowance as well as the establishment of a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets in Mexico.

We record and maintain valuation allowances against the deferred tax assets of various foreign jurisdictions until sufficient evidence is available to demonstrate that it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be recognized. As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. During the period ended September 30, 2023, management determined that there was sufficient positive evidence to conclude that the U.K. net deferred tax assets of $1.9 million were realizable. This determination was based on operating results over the past three years and anticipated future taxable income from our U.K. operations. The valuation allowance was released accordingly, and a $1.9 million tax benefit and corresponding increase in the deferred tax assets were recorded. Likewise, during the period ended June 30, 2022, management concluded that Canadian net deferred tax assets of $5.9 million were realizable based on current and anticipated market conditions, continued market diversification, operating results over the past three years and anticipated future taxable income from our Canadian operations. The release of the Canadian valuation allowance resulted in a $5.9 million tax benefit and a corresponding increase in the deferred tax assets. During our assessment of deferred income taxes in Fiscal 2021, we recorded a valuation allowance of $0.1 million against our Mexican net deferred tax assets. In assessing the realizability of net deferred tax assets, we determined it was more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets may not be realized based upon recent Mexican tax losses and anticipated results in the near term. Estimates may change as new events occur, estimates of future taxable income are reduced or increased, additional information becomes available, or operating environments change, which may result in a full or partial reversal of the valuation allowance.
We have not recorded deferred income taxes on $17.9 million of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries because of management’s intent to indefinitely reinvest such earnings. Upon distribution of these earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, we may be subject to U.S. income taxes and foreign withholding taxes. It is not practical, however, to estimate the amount of taxes that may be payable on the eventual remittance of these earnings.
We are subject to income tax in the U.S., multiple state jurisdictions and certain international jurisdictions, primarily the U.K. and Canada. We do not consider any state in which we do business to be a major tax jurisdiction. The significant jurisdictions that remain open to examination are as follows: Canada 2016 – 2022, U.K. 2022 and the U.S. 2019 – 2022. As of September 30, 2023, we did not have any state audits underway that would have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
The net deferred income tax asset was comprised of the following (in thousands): 
 September 30,
 20232022
Gross assets$20,522 $17,941 
Gross liabilities and valuation allowance(3,458)(8,780)
Net deferred income tax asset$17,064 $9,161 
The tax effect of temporary differences between U.S. GAAP accounting and federal income tax accounting creating deferred income tax assets and liabilities was as follows (in thousands):
 September 30,
 20232022
Deferred Tax Assets: 
Net operating loss$7,432 $10,186 
Depreciation and amortization4,573 — 
Deferred compensation2,274 1,897 
Stock-based compensation1,555 1,083 
Credit carryforwards1,378 1,332 
Uniform capitalization and inventory1,253 1,506 
Reserve for accrued employee benefits988 872 
Warranty accrual752 559 
Other(1)
317 506 
Deferred tax assets$20,522 $17,941 
Deferred Tax Liabilities: 
Depreciation and amortization$— $(3,764)
Retention and other(1,491)(1,229)
Deferred tax liabilities$(1,491)$(4,993)
Less: valuation allowance(1,967)(3,787)
Net deferred tax asset$17,064 $9,161 
(1) Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for consistency with the current year presentation.

We have deferred tax assets related to international net operating loss carryforwards of $6.8 million that are not reserved with a valuation allowance available to offset future tax liabilities in the respective jurisdictions. The majority of these net operating loss carryforwards are related to our Canadian operations and expire beginning in 2033. The remaining unreserved net operating loss carryforwards related to other jurisdictions have an indefinite carryforward period. As of September 30, 2023, the majority of our tax credit carryforwards are fully reserved with a valuation allowance.

The net decrease in the total valuation allowance during the year was $1.8 million, which was largely a result of the reversal of the U.K. valuation allowance. In assessing the realizability of net deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets may not be realized. The ultimate realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the unrecognized tax benefits follows (in thousands):
 Year Ended September 30,
 202320222021
Balance at beginning of period$1,377 $1,409 $1,252 
Increases related to tax positions taken during the current period400 240 251 
Increases related to tax positions taken during a prior period112 92 75 
Decreases related to expiration of statute of limitations— (327)— 
Decreases related to settlement with taxing authorities— (37)(169)
Balance at end of period$1,889 $1,377 $1,409 
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at the end of Fiscal 2023, 2022, and 2021 are $1.6 million, $1.1 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, of tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters as tax expense. The amount of interest and penalty expense recorded for the year ended September 30, 2023 was not material.

Management believes that, within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.6 million due to the expiration of certain federal statutes of limitations. We are unable to make
reasonably reliable estimates regarding the timing of future cash outflows, if any, associated with the remaining unrecognized tax benefits for the open periods of fiscal years ended September 30, 2019 – 2023.
Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in our tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with management’s expectations, we could be required to adjust our provision for income tax in the period such resolution occurs.