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Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2009
Dec. 31, 2008
Operating loss carryforwards $ 86,868us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount 547us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount      
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Date Substantially all of the net operating loss carry forwards and unused minimum tax credit carry forwards expire between 2025 and 2035.      
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Limitations on Use The Company’s utilization of restricted net operating tax loss carry forwards against future income for tax purposes is restricted pursuant to the “change in ownership” rules in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules, in general, provide that an ownership change occurs when the percentage shareholdings of 5% direct or indirect stockholders of a loss corporation have, in aggregate, increased by more than 50 percentage points during the immediately preceding three years. Restrictions in net operating loss carry forwards occurred in 2001 as a result of the acquisition of the Company by Counsel. Further restrictions may have occurred as a result of subsequent changes in the share ownership and capital structure of the Company and Counsel and disposition of business interests by the Company. Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the annual usage of the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards was limited to approximately $2,500 per annum until 2008 and $1,700 per annum thereafter. There is no certainty that the application of these “change in ownership” rules may not recur, resulting in further restrictions on the Company’s income tax loss carry forwards existing at a particular time. In addition, further restrictions, reductions in, or expiry of net operating loss and net capital loss carry forwards may occur through future merger, acquisition and/or disposition transactions or failure to continue a significant level of business activities. Any such additional limitations could require the Company to pay income taxes on its future earnings and record an income tax expense to the extent of such liability, despite the existence of such tax loss carry forwards. The Company’s utilization of restricted net operating tax loss carry forwards against future income for tax purposes is restricted pursuant to the “change in ownership” rules in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules, in general, provide that an ownership change occurs when the percentage shareholdings of 5% direct or indirect stockholders of a loss corporation have, in aggregate, increased by more than 50 percentage points during the immediately preceding three years. Restrictions in net operating loss carry forwards occurred in 2001 as a result of the acquisition of the Company by Counsel. Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the annual usage of the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards was limited to approximately $2,500 per annum until 2008 and $1,700 per annum thereafter. Further restrictions may have occurred as a result of subsequent changes in the share ownership and capital structure of the Company and Counsel and disposition of business interests by the Company.    
Unrestricted [Member]        
Operating loss carryforwards 58,068us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= hgbl_UnrestrictedMember
     
Restricted [Member]        
Operating loss carryforwards $ 28,800us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwards
/ us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis
= hgbl_RestrictedMember
     
Operating Loss Carryforwards Per Year After 2008 [Member]        
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Limitations on Use     The Company’s utilization of restricted net operating tax loss carry forwards against future income for tax purposes is restricted pursuant to the “change in ownership” rules in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules, in general, provide that an ownership change occurs when the percentage shareholdings of 5% direct or indirect stockholders of a loss corporation have, in aggregate, increased by more than 50 percentage points during the immediately preceding three years. Restrictions in net operating loss carry forwards occurred in 2001 as a result of the acquisition of the Company by Counsel. Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the annual usage of the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards was limited to approximately $2,500 per annum until 2008 and $1,700 per annum thereafter. Further restrictions may have occurred as a result of subsequent changes in the share ownership and capital structure of the Company and Counsel and disposition of business interests by the Company. The Company’s utilization of restricted net operating tax loss carry forwards against future income for tax purposes is restricted pursuant to the “change in ownership” rules in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. These rules, in general, provide that an ownership change occurs when the percentage shareholdings of 5% direct or indirect stockholders of a loss corporation have, in aggregate, increased by more than 50 percentage points during the immediately preceding three years. Restrictions in net operating loss carry forwards occurred in 2001 as a result of the acquisition of the Company by Counsel. Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code, the annual usage of the Company’s net operating loss carry forwards was limited to approximately $2,500 per annum until 2008 and $1,700 per annum thereafter. Further restrictions may have occurred as a result of subsequent changes in the share ownership and capital structure of the Company and Counsel and disposition of business interests by the Company.