EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Retirement Benefits [Abstract]

EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

10. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN

On September 11, 1996, the Company’s board of directors instituted a defined contribution plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). On October 1, 1998, the Company amended and standardized its plan as required by the Code. Pursuant to the amended plan, qualified employees may contribute a percentage of their pretax eligible compensation to the Plan and the Company will match a percentage of each employee’s contribution. Additionally, the Company has a profit-sharing plan covering all eligible employees. Contributions by the Company are at the discretion of management. The amount of contributions recorded by the Company in 2017, 2016 and 2015 amounted to $361,682, $351,932 and $422,334, respectively.