13. Income Taxes

Effective Income Tax Rate

We recorded income tax expense of $3.7 million, or 29.1% of income before income taxes, for the six month period ended October 29, 2017, compared to income tax expense of $5.9 million, or 37.7% of income before income taxes, for the six month period ended October 30, 2016. Our effective income tax rates for the six month periods ended October 29, 2017, and October 30, 2016, were based upon the estimated effective income tax rate applicable for the full year after giving effect to any significant items related specifically to interim periods. The effective income tax rate can be affected over the fiscal year by the mix and timing of actual earnings from our U.S. operations and foreign sources versus annual projections and changes in foreign currency exchange rates in relation to the U.S. dollar.

The following schedule summarizes the factors that contribute to the difference between income tax expense at the federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate reflected in the consolidated financial statements:

	2018			2017
Federal income tax rate		34.0	%		34.0	%
Excess income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation		(4.3	)		-
Tax effects of Chinese foreign exchange (losses) gains		(1.5	)		1.6
U.S. state income tax expense		0.4			0.6
Other		0.5			1.5
		29.1	%		37.7	%

Deferred Income Taxes

Valuation Allowance

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, we evaluate our deferred income taxes to determine if a valuation allowance is required. ASC Topic 740 requires that companies assess whether a valuation allowance should be established based on the consideration of all available evidence using a “more-likely-than-not” standard, with significant weight being given to evidence that can be objectively verified. Since the company operates in multiple jurisdictions, we assess the need for a valuation allowance on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, taking into account the effects of local tax law. Based on our assessment at October 29, 2017, we recorded a partial valuation allowance of $632,000, of which $554,000 pertained to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and $78,000 pertained to loss carryfowards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland. Based on our assessment at October 30, 2016, we recorded a partial valuation allowance of $603,000, of which $519,000 pertained to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and $84,000 pertained to loss carryfowards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland. Based on our assessment at April 30, 2017, we recorded a partial valuation allowance of $536,000, of which $464,000 pertained to certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and $72,000 pertained to loss carryfowards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland.

No valuation allowance was recorded against our net deferred income tax assets associated with our operations located in China and Canada at October 29, 2017, October 30, 2016, and April 30, 2017, respectively.

The recorded valuation allowance of $632,000 at October 29, 2017, has no effect on our operations, loan covenant compliance, or the possible realization of certain U.S. state net operating loss carryforwards and credits and our loss carryforwards associated with our Culp Europe operation located in Poland. If it is determined that it is more-likely-than-not that we will realize any of these deferred income tax assets, an income tax benefit will be recognized at that time.

Undistributed Earnings

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, we assess whether the undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries will be reinvested indefinitely or eventually distributed to our U.S. parent company. ASC Topic 740 requires that a deferred tax liability should be recorded for undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries that will not be reinvested indefinitely. Based on our assessment as of October 29, 2017, it is our intention not to permanently invest our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries, with the exception of $1.8 million that has been reinvested indefinitely since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 in our unconsolidated joint venture located in Haiti. Also, we assess the recognition of U.S. foreign income tax credits associated with foreign withholding and income tax payments and whether it is more-likely-than-not that our foreign income tax credits will not be realized. If it is determined that any foreign income tax credits need to be recognized or it is more-likely-than-not our foreign income tax credits will not be realized, an adjustment to our provision for income taxes will be recognized at that time.

At October 29, 2017, we had accumulated earnings and profits from our foreign subsidiaries totaling $145.3 million. At the same date, the deferred tax liability associated with our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $322,000, which included U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes totaling $42.4 million, offset by U.S. foreign income tax credits of $42.1 million.

At October 30, 2016, we had accumulated earnings and profits from our foreign subsidiaries totaling $138.9 million. At the same date, the deferred tax liability associated with our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $657,000, which included U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes totaling $41.4 million, offset by U.S. foreign income tax credits of $40.7 million.

At April 30, 2017, we had accumulated earnings and profits from our foreign subsidiaries totaling $146.9 million. At the same date, the deferred tax liability associated with our undistributed earnings from our foreign subsidiaries totaled $497,000, which included U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes totaling $44.0 million, offset by U.S. foreign income tax credits of $43.5 million.

Overall

At October 29, 2017, our non-current deferred tax asset of $491,000 pertains to our operations located in China. At October 30, 2016, our non-current deferred tax asset of $581,000 represented $109,000 and $472,000 from our operations located in the U.S. and China, respectively. At April 30, 2017, our non-current deferred tax asset of $419,000 pertained to our operations located in China.

At October 29, 2017, our non-current deferred tax liability of $4.6 million represents $2.5 million and $2.1 million from our operations located in the U.S. and Canada, respectively. Our non-current deferred tax liability balance of $1.7 million at October 30, 2016 pertained to our operations located in Canada. At April 30, 2017, our non-current deferred tax liability of $3.6 million represented $2.1 million and $1.5 million from our operations located in Canada and the U.S., respectively.

Uncertainty In Income Taxes

At October 29, 2017, we had a $12.6 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, of which $12.1 million and $487,000 were classified as non-current deferred income taxes and income taxes payable – long-term, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At October 30, 2016, we had a $15.1 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, of which $11.4 million and $3.7 million were classified as non-current deferred income taxes and income taxes payable – long-term, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. At April 30, 2017, we had $12.2 million of total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, of which $11.8 million and $467,000 were classified as non-current deferred income taxes and income taxes payable – long-term, respectively, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

At October 29, 2017, our $12.6 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit included $487,000 that, if recognized, would favorably affect the income tax rate in future periods. At October 30, 2016, our $15.1 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit, included $3.7 million that, if recognized, would favorably affect the income tax rate in future periods. At April 30, 2017, our $12.2 million total gross unrecognized income tax benefit included $467,000 that, if recognized, would favorably affect the income tax rate in future periods.

Our gross unrecognized income tax benefit of $12.6 million at October 29, 2017, relates to tax positions for which significant change is reasonably possible within the next year (see below disclosure of ongoing income tax exams). This amount primarily relates to double taxation under applicable income tax treaties with foreign tax jurisdictions. United States federal and state income tax returns filed by us remain subject to examination for income tax years 2005 and subsequent due to loss carryforwards. Canadian federal and provincial (Quebec) returns filed by us remain subject to examination for income tax years 2013 and subsequent. Income tax returns associated with our operations located in China are subject to examination for income tax year 2012 and subsequent.

The Internal Revenue Service is examining our U.S. Federal income tax returns for fiscal years 2014 through 2016. As a result of this examination, the IRS proposed an adjustment approximating $12.5 million of income taxes that relates to our transfer pricing with certain foreign subsidiaries. Management does not agree with the IRS' proposed adjustment and intends to vigorously defend its position. Currently, the ultimate outcome of this proposed adjustment and any potential cash settlement cannot be determined as it is dependent upon potential legal and competent authority proceedings, interpretation of income tax law, and utilization of available loss carryforwards and certain income tax credits associated with the fiscal years under exam. We believe our unrecognized income tax benefit balance of $12.6 million has adequately provided for our uncertain income tax positions for all open income tax years and jurisdictions. Currently, we expect this examination to be completed during fiscal 2019.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, Revenue Quebec commenced an examination of our Canadian provincial (Quebec) income tax returns for fiscal years 2013 through 2015, and no adjustments have been proposed at this time. We currently expect this examination to be completed during fiscal 2018.

In accordance with ASC Topic 740, an unrecognized income tax benefit for an uncertain income tax position can be recognized in the first interim period if the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is met by the reporting period, or is effectively settled through examination, negotiation, or litigation, or the statue of limitations for the relevant taxing authority to examine and challenge the tax position has expired. If it is determined that any of the above conditions occur regarding our uncertain income tax positions, an adjustment to our unrecognized income tax benefit will be recorded at that time.