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Note 8 - Income Taxes
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

8. INCOME TAXES


For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $1.8 million on income before income taxes of $5.7 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for our 2012 fiscal year. Included in the tax expense is a recovery of $0.1 million related to research and development tax credits received during the period. Comparatively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $0.8 million on income before taxes of $0.9 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for its 2011 fiscal year adjusted for certain foreign exchange losses for which we did not anticipate obtaining a current tax benefit in that fiscal year.


The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 differs from the effective rate for the comparative period ended September 30, 2011 as a result of the change in temporary differences during the period in respect of deferred tax assets that were recognized in the fourth quarter of 2011.


In assessing the realizability of 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. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the years in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers projected future taxable income, uncertainties related to the industry in which it operates, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. During the fourth quarter of 2011 the Company released the remaining valuation allowance of $3.6 million.


We follow the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes to account for income tax exposures. The application of this interpretation requires a two-step process that separates recognition of uncertain tax benefits from measurement thereof.


We had approximately $0.1 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2012 and $0.2 million of total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011, which if recognized would favorably affect our income tax rate in future periods. The unrecognized tax benefit relates primarily to prior year Pennsylvania state franchise taxes and other insignificant U.S. state taxes. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense. The Company did not have significant interest and penalties accrued as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that all of the unrecognized tax benefit will decrease in the next twelve months as it is anticipated that the U.S. tax authorities will finalize their review of prior taxes owing in Pennsylvania within the period and certain other prior year state tax returns will be filed.