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Note 8 - Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
8. Income Taxes:
 

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax expense of $0.4 million on income before income taxes of $0.6 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020 (“Fiscal 2020”) adjusted for certain minimum state taxes as well as the inclusion of a $0.1 million tax recovery related to ASU No. 2016-09—Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee share-based payments to be recognized through income tax expense. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2020 is also adversely affected by discrete losses of $3.7 million related to the impairment of Ting TV and Roam Mobility assets, the tax benefit of which has only been partially recognized.  

 

Comparatively, for the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.8 million on income before taxes of $4.4 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for the 2019 fiscal year and adjusted for the $0.3 million tax recovery impact related to ASU 2016-09. 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2020, we recorded an income tax expense of $1.6 million on net income before income taxes of $4.5 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for Fiscal 2020 adjusted for certain minimum state taxes, as well as the inclusion of a $0.2 million tax recovery related to ASU No. 2016-09—Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”), which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee share-based payments to be recognized through income tax expense. Our effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2020 is also adversely affected by discrete losses of $3.7 million related to the impairment of Ting TV and Roam Mobility assets, the tax benefit of which has only been partially recognized.  

 

Comparatively, for the six months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $3.1 million on income before taxes of $8.5 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for the 2019 fiscal year and adjusted for the $0.7 million tax recovery impact related to ASU 2016-09. 

 

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 the Company operates, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

 

In connection with the eNom acquisition in 2017, we acquired deferred tax liabilities primarily composed of prepaid registry fees. As a result, we aligned our tax methodology pertaining to the deductibility of prepaid registry fees for our other subsidiaries. In the first quarter of 2019, we determined that we were in technical violation with respect to the administrative application of the accounting method change relating to the deductibility of prepaid registry fees for these additional subsidiaries. In February 2019, the Company filed an application for relief ("9100 Relief") to correct the issue. In November 2019, the Company was granted 9100 Relief and was given 30 days to file the appropriate forms based on prescribed instructions. The Company filed the forms in December 2019 and now awaits the final IRS response and acceptance of the change in accounting method. Management is of the view that it is more likely than not that the IRS will accept the 9100 Relief and filing of the prescribed forms. As such, no additional tax uncertainties or related interest or penalties have been recorded as at June 30, 2020.

 

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 at June 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.