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Note 17 - Income Taxes
 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

17.

Income Taxes


The total income tax benefit of $1.7 million and $0.5 million recognized for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2014, respectively, was primarily due to a refund received for a loss carryback to a previously profitable year, partially offset by various state tax expenses and state tax reserves for uncertain state tax positions. The total income tax expense of $1.9 million recognized for the three months ended July 31, 2013 was primarily due to state tax expenses and state tax reserves for uncertain state tax positions. The total income tax benefit of $10.2 million recognized for the nine months ended July 31, 2013 was primarily due to the release of reserves for a federal tax position that was settled with the Internal Revenue Service and a favorable state tax audit settlement. 


Deferred federal and state income tax assets primarily represent the deferred tax benefits arising from temporary differences between book and tax income, which will be recognized in future years as an offset against future taxable income. If the combination of future years’ income (or loss) and the reversal of the timing differences results in a loss, such losses can be carried forward to future years. In accordance with ASC 740, we evaluate our deferred tax assets quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required. ASC 740 requires that companies assess whether valuation allowances should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard. Because of the downturn in the homebuilding industry, resulting in significant inventory and intangible impairments in prior years, we are in a three-year cumulative loss position as of July 31, 2014, a factor which is significant negative evidence in considering whether deferred tax assets are realizable that cannot currently be overcome with other positive evidence. Our valuation allowance for deferred taxes amounted to $933.3 million and $927.1 million at July 31, 2014 and October 31, 2013, respectively. The valuation allowance increased during the nine months ended July 31, 2014, primarily due to additional valuation allowance recorded for the federal and state tax benefits related to the losses incurred during this period. Because of our profitability in fiscal 2013 and the third quarter of fiscal 2014, our three-year cumulative loss position is decreasing. If we determine to reverse all or a portion of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which could happen in the near future, such amount would be recorded as an income tax benefit on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, resulting in a material impact to net income and stockholders’ equity.