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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
The components of the income tax provision were as follows (in thousands): 
 Year Ended September 30,
 202420232022
Current: 
Federal$45,271 $18,129 $557 
State8,101 4,036 403 
Foreign342 107 7 
 53,714 22,272 967 
Deferred: 
Federal(11,872)(7,458)(154)
State(1,620)(1,499)(41)
Foreign6,018 1,110 (4,666)
 (7,474)(7,847)(4,861)
Total income tax provision (benefit)$46,240 $14,425 $(3,894)
Income before income taxes was as follows (in thousands): 
 Year Ended September 30,
 202420232022
U.S.$167,887 $56,923 $3,175 
Foreign28,201 12,027 6,668 
Income before income taxes$196,088 $68,950 $9,843 
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,
 202420232022
Statutory rate21 %21 %21 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit3 3 3 
Research and development credit(1)(2)(14)
Foreign rate differential— — 1 
Valuation allowance— (3)(62)
Deferred tax rate differential— — (1)
Non-deductible expenses1 1 9 
Impact of U.S. global intangible taxes and benefits1 1 3 
Stock-based compensation(1)— — 
Effective rate24 %21 %(40)%

Our income tax provision reflects an effective tax rate on pre-tax results of 24% in Fiscal 2024 compared to 21% and negative 40% in Fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. The income tax provision for Fiscal 2024 was favorably impacted by the current year estimated Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit and benefits related to the vesting of restricted stock units. These items were offset by state income tax expense, the tax expense related to certain nondeductible expenses and an income inclusion related to U.S. global intangible income.

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 estimated R&D Tax Credit. These items were offset by state tax expense, the tax expense related to certain nondeductible expenses and an income 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 income inclusion related to U.S. global intangible income.

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 Fiscal 2024, management determined that there was sufficient positive evidence to conclude that certain Canadian tax credits in the amount of $0.5 million were realizable. The determination was based on the operating results of the past three years and the anticipated future taxable income from our Canadian operations. The release of the valuation allowance resulted in a $0.5 million tax benefit and a corresponding increase in the 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.
We have not recorded deferred income taxes on $23.0 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. The significant jurisdictions that remain open to examination are as follows: Canada 2017 – 2023, U.K. 2023 and
U.S. federal and state 2020 – 2023. As of September 30, 2024, we did not have any state audits underway that would have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
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,
 20242023
Deferred Tax Assets: 
Research and experimental expenditures(1)
$12,552 $8,118 
Long-term contracts7,480 — 
Deferred compensation2,868 2,274 
Uniform capitalization and inventory1,511 1,253 
Credit carryforwards1,304 1,378 
Warranty accrual1,304 752 
Stock-based compensation1,269 1,555 
Net operating loss1,248 7,432 
Reserve for accrued employee benefits1,029 988 
Other655 317 
Deferred tax assets$31,220 $24,067 
Deferred Tax Liabilities: 
Depreciation and amortization(1)
$(3,773)$(3,545)
Retention and other(1,310)(1,491)
Deferred tax liabilities$(5,083)$(5,036)
Less: valuation allowance(1,599)(1,967)
Net deferred tax asset$24,538 $17,064 
(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 $0.5 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 2035. The remaining unreserved net operating loss carryforwards related to other jurisdictions have an indefinite carryforward period. As of September 30, 2024, 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 $0.4 million, which was largely a result of the reversal of the Canadian valuation allowance on certain tax credits. 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,
 202420232022
Balance at beginning of period$1,889 $1,377 $1,409 
Increases related to tax positions taken during the current period460 400 240 
Increases related to tax positions taken during a prior period70 112 92 
Decreases related to expiration of statute of limitations(680)— (327)
Decreases related to settlement with taxing authorities— — (37)
Balance at end of period$1,739 $1,889 $1,377 
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at the end of Fiscal 2024, 2023, and 2022 are $1.5 million, $1.6 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, 2024 was not material.

Management believes that, within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.3 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, 2021 – 2024.
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.