INCOME TAXES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

A summary of the benefit for income taxes is as follows:


	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018		2017
Federal
Current	$	(951)	$	(1,902)	$	—

Deferred	(699)		1,255		(15,614)
	(1,650)		(647)		(15,614)
State
Current	321		2,575		301
Current benefit of loss carryforwards	—		(2,307)		(28)
Deferred	(545)		(5)		88
	(224)		263		361
Benefit for income taxes	$	(1,874)	$	(384)	$	(15,253)

During fiscal years 2019 and 2018, we recognized a $(2,385) and $(937) deferred tax benefit, respectively, due to a reduction of the valuation allowance on acquisitions. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we have assessed the available means of recovering deferred tax assets, including the existence of reversing temporary differences. The valuation allowance decreased due to the recognition of additional reversing temporary differences from the $2,385 and $937 deferred tax liability recorded through goodwill on the acquisition of a company in May 2019 and the acquisition of two companies in January 2018, respectively. The deferred tax liabilities related to the acquisitions were based on the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for income tax purposes. The valuation allowance was reduced by $(2,137) and $(1,635) in the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and March 31, 2018, respectively, with the offsetting increase in the goodwill, based on initial estimates of the acquired temporary differences. The valuation allowance was decreased by $(248) in the quarter ended December 31, 2019 and increased by $698 in subsequent quarters of fiscal year 2018, with an offsetting adjustment to goodwill, based on the availability of better estimates upon the filing of the prior year returns by the sellers.

During 2019, we recognized a $(297) deferred tax benefit due to a reduction of the deferred tax liability related to indefinite lived assets. The financial statement value of indefinite lived goodwill was reduced as a result of a settlement of an acquisition contingency that pre-dated the effective date of ASC 805, which resulted in a reduction of the related deferred tax liability.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is also commonly referred to as “U.S. tax reform,” significantly changes United States corporate income tax laws by, among other things, reducing the US corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% starting in 2018. Under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, federal net operating loss carryforwards generated as of the end of 2017 continue to be carried forward for 20 years and are generally available to fully offset taxable income earned in a tax year. Federal net operating losses generated after 2017 will be carried forward indefinitely, but generally may only offset up to 80% of taxable income earned in future tax years. In fiscal year 2017, we revalued our deferred taxes due to these changes, including (a) revaluing our federal net deferred taxes before valuation allowance using the 21% tax rate resulting in an increased net federal deferred tax provision of $33,700; (b) revaluing our federal valuation allowance using the 21% tax rate, including the impact of tax planning strategies, resulting in a federal deferred tax benefit to continuing operations of $(36,556); and (c) recognizing a federal deferred tax benefit of $(12,758) for 80% of indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities, which are anticipated to be available as a source of taxable income upon reversal of deferred tax assets that would also have indefinite lives.

The differences in the benefit for income taxes and the amounts determined by applying the Federal statutory rate to income before provision for income taxes are as follows:


	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2019			2018			2017
Federal statutory rate	21		%	21		%	35		%
Tax at statutory rate	$	6,254		$	1,268		$	(12,968)
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	(161)			(89)			(1,959)
Decrease in net federal deferred tax assets before valuation allowance change due to federal rate change	—			—			33,700
Decrease in valuation allowance by 80% of indefinite lived deferred liabilities due to US tax reform	—			—			(12,758)
Other changes in valuation allowance, including the federal rate change in fiscal year 2017	(978)			(1,613)			(18,848)
Deductible stock awards	(7,235)			(2,048)			(1,825)
Non-deductible expenses	638			633			542
Non-deductible officer compensation	314			2,214			—

Tax credits	(82)			(686)			(1,000)



Other, net	(624)			(63)			(137)
Benefit for income taxes	$	(1,874)		$	(384)		$	(15,253)

Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for income tax purposes. A summary of deferred tax assets and liabilities is as follows:


	December 31,
	2019		2018
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	45,900	$	31,241
Accrued expenses and reserves	36,342		34,647
General business tax credit carryforwards	6,273		6,192
Book over tax depreciation of property and equipment	2,882		19,048
Unrealized loss on hedges and swaps	1,768		—
Stock awards	1,746		2,310
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	951		1,902

Other	2,576		3,023
Total deferred tax assets	98,438		98,363
Less: valuation allowance	(69,402)		(69,189)
Total deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	29,036		29,174
Deferred tax liabilities:
Amortization of intangibles	(22,910)		(22,026)
Other	(192)		(73)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(23,102)		(22,099)
Net deferred tax asset	$	5,934	$	7,075

The net deferred tax asset at December 31, 2019 is reflected on the balance sheet as a long-term deferred federal tax asset of $8,577 and a long-term deferred state tax liability of $(2,643).

As of December 31, 2019, we have, for federal income tax purposes, net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $110,587 that expire in the fiscal years ending December 31, 2031 through 2037 and $67,399, which do not expire. We have state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $101,628 that expire in the fiscal years ending December 31, 2020 through 2039. In addition, we have $951 minimum tax credit carryforwards which are fully refundable for tax years 2020 through 2021, if not otherwise used to offset tax liabilities. We also have $6,273 general business credit carryforwards which expire in the fiscal years ending December 31, 2022 through 2039. Sections 382 and 383 of the Internal Revenue Code can limit the amount of net operating loss and credit carryforwards which may be used in a tax year in the event of certain stock ownership changes. With the exception of $1,756 federal net operating losses we acquired through acquisitions, we are not currently subject to these limitations but could become subject to them if there were significant changes in the ownership of our stock.

In assessing the realizability of carryforwards and other deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We adjust the valuation allowance in the period management determines it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will or will not be realized. The change in the valuation allowance was an increase of $213 and $834 from fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively. In determining the need for a valuation allowance, we have assessed the available means of recovering deferred tax assets, including the ability to carryback net operating losses, the existence of reversing temporary differences, and available sources of future taxable income. We have also considered the ability to implement certain strategies, such as a potential sale of assets that would, if necessary, be implemented to accelerate taxable income and use expiring deferred tax assets.

The net deferred tax assets include deferred tax liabilities related to amortizable goodwill, which are anticipated to reverse in an indefinite future period and to generate future taxable income upon reversal. Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, federal net operating losses, including potential losses from the reversal of deferred tax assets, could only be carried forward for 20 years. The reversal of the indefinite lived goodwill was not available as a source of future taxable income since it was uncertain whether the income generated would be available in the same tax periods in which losses from the reversal of deferred tax assets could be utilized. As such, prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act we did not treat the reversal of amortizable goodwill as an available source of taxable income in determining the valuation allowance.

Beginning in 2018 under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, future federal net operating losses generated may be carried forward indefinitely and generally may offset up to 80% of taxable income earned in a tax year. Because potential losses from the reversal of deferred tax assets in future years may be carried forward indefinitely, we consider it more likely than not that 80% of the reversal of deferred tax liabilities for amortizable goodwill will be available as a source of taxable income.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, we revalued our net federal deferred tax assets using the 21% tax rate as enacted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The valuation allowance was also adjusted in this quarter due to the federal tax rate change and to recognize a $(12,758) federal deferred tax benefit for 80% of deferred tax liabilities for amortizable goodwill. Due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, we recognized a $(15,614) federal deferred tax benefit in 2017 and decreased our total valuation allowance by $(29,234). We believe we are able to support the deferred tax assets recognized as of the end of fiscal years 2019 and 2018 based on all of the available evidence.

The provisions of FASB ASC 740-10-25-5 prescribe the minimum recognition threshold that a tax position is required to meet before being recognized in the financial statements. Additionally, FASB ASC 740-10-25-5 provides guidance on de-recognition, measurement, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. Under FASB ASC 740-10-25-5, an entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold.

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


	Fiscal Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period	$	2	$	1,941


Reductions resulting from lapse of statute of limitations	(1)		(1,939)


Unrecognized tax benefits at end of period	$	1	$	2

The fiscal year 2018 reductions resulting from a lapse of the statute of limitations primarily related to unrecognized benefits which had reduced net operating loss carryforwards. The tax positions primarily related to fiscal years 2007 and prior and, based on administrative practice of the tax authorities, we have reduced the unrecognized tax benefits.

Included in the balances at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 are $1 and $2, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits (net of the federal benefit on state issues) that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods. We anticipate $0 of unrecognized tax benefits to reverse within the next 12 months due to the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations.

Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. Related to uncertain tax positions during fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, we have accrued interest of $1, $2 and $3 and penalties of $1, $1 and $2, respectively. We accrued $(1), $(2) and $(3) for interest and penalties in income tax expense related to uncertain tax positions during fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

We are subject to U.S. federal income tax, as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. Due to Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, income tax returns from years ending in 1998 through 2019 remain open for examination, with limited exceptions.