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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
The components of the income tax provision were as follows (in thousands): 
 Year Ended September 30,
 202520242023
Current: 
Federal$40,543 $45,271 $18,129 
State9,052 8,101 4,036 
Foreign8,076 342 107 
 57,671 53,714 22,272 
Deferred: 
Federal(5,083)(11,872)(7,458)
State(1,144)(1,620)(1,499)
Foreign1,359 6,018 1,110 
 (4,868)(7,474)(7,847)
Total income tax provision$52,803 $46,240 $14,425 
Income before income taxes was as follows (in thousands): 
 Year Ended September 30,
 202520242023
U.S.$193,656 $167,887 $56,923 
Foreign39,894 28,201 12,027 
Income before income taxes$233,550 $196,088 $68,950 
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,
 202520242023
Statutory rate21 %21 %21 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit3 3 3 
Research and development credit(1)(1)(2)
Foreign rate differential1 — — 
Valuation allowance— — (3)
Non-deductible expenses2 1 1 
Impact of U.S. global intangible taxes and benefits— 1 1 
Stock-based compensation(3)(1)— 
Effective rate23 %24 %21 %

Our income tax provision reflects an effective tax rate on pre-tax results of 23% in Fiscal 2025 compared to 24% and 21% in Fiscal 2024 and 2023, respectively. The income tax provision for Fiscal 2025 was favorably impacted by benefits related to the vesting of restricted stock units and the current year estimated Research and Development (R&D) Tax Credit. These items were offset by state income tax expense and the tax expense related to certain nondeductible expenses.

The income tax provision for Fiscal 2024 was favorably impacted by the estimated 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.
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.
We have not recorded deferred income taxes on $53.7 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 2018 – 2024, U.K. 2024 and U.S. federal and state 2021 – 2024. As of September 30, 2025, 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,
 20252024
Deferred Tax Assets: 
Research and experimental expenditures$18,406 $12,552 
Long-term contracts6,801 7,480 
Deferred compensation3,306 2,868 
Uniform capitalization and inventory2,016 1,511 
Warranty accrual1,447 1,304 
Stock-based compensation1,367 1,269 
Reserve for accrued employee benefits1,189 1,029 
Net operating loss1,086 1,248 
Credit carryforwards797 1,304 
Other671 655 
Deferred tax assets$37,086 $31,220 
Deferred Tax Liabilities: 
Depreciation and amortization$(5,687)$(3,773)
Retention and other(1,597)(1,310)
Deferred tax liabilities$(7,284)$(5,083)
Less: valuation allowance(1,659)(1,599)
Net deferred tax asset$28,143 $24,538 

We have deferred tax assets related to international net operating loss carryforwards of $0.2 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 U.K. operations and have an indefinite carryforward period. As of September 30, 2025, the majority of our tax credit carryforwards are fully reserved with a valuation allowance.

The net increase in the total valuation allowance during the year was less than $0.1 million, which was largely a result of the net operating losses generated in foreign jurisdictions. 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,
 202520242023
Balance at beginning of period$1,739 $1,889 $1,377 
Increases related to tax positions taken during the current period540 460 400 
Increases related to tax positions taken during a prior period185 70 112 
Decreases related to expiration of statute of limitations(316)(680)— 
Decreases related to settlement with taxing authorities— — — 
Balance at end of period$2,148 $1,739 $1,889 
Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at the end of Fiscal 2025, 2024, and 2023 are $1.9 million, $1.5 million, and $1.6 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, 2025 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, 2022 – 2025.
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.