Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

11. INCOME TAXES

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11. INCOME TAXES
9 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES

The Company had no income tax expense for the three and nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had a net operating loss (“NOL”) for each period which generated deferred tax assets for NOL carryforwards. The Company provided valuation allowances against the net deferred tax assets including the deferred tax assets for NOL carryforwards. Valuation allowances provided for the net deferred tax asset increased by approximately $1,341,000 and $830,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

There was no material difference between the effective tax rate and the projected blended statutory tax rate for the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considered whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Based on the available objective evidence, including the history of operating losses and the uncertainty of generating future taxable income, management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets at January 31, 2018 will not be fully realizable. Accordingly, management has maintained a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets at January 31, 2018.

 

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code including lowering the U.S. federal tax rate to 21%.

 

The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance for the accounting of the effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not be extended past a year from the enactment date for companies to complete the accounting of the Tax Act under ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Companies that do not complete the accounting under ASC 740 for the tax effects of the Tax Act, must record a provisional estimate of the tax effects of the Tax Act. If a provisional estimate cannot be determined a company should continue to apply ASC 740 based on the tax laws in effect immediately before the enactment of the Tax Act.

 

At January 31, 2018, the Company has not completed the accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act; however, the Company has made a reasonable estimate of the effects on the rate change on its existing deferred tax assets by decreasing its deferred tax assets by approximately $5,447,000. The Company has a full valuation allowance; therefore, the decrease in deferred tax assets did not impact the tax expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

In order to complete the accounting requirements under ASC 740, the Company needs to (a) evaluate the impact of additional guidance, if any, from the FASB and external providers on its application of ASC 740 to the calculation; (b) evaluate the impact of further guidance from Treasury and/or the Internal Revenue Service on the technical application of the law with regard to our facts; (c) evaluate the impact of further guidance from the state tax authorities regarding their conformity to the provisions of the Tax Act; and (d) complete the analysis of the revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities as the Company is still analyzing certain aspects of the Tax Act. The accounting for the tax effects for the Tax Act will be completed in 2018.

 

The Company’s policy is to recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. As of the nine months ended January 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had accrued no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

 

See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2017 for additional information regarding income taxes.