9 — Income Taxes
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, we recorded a provision for income tax expense of $1,368,830 and $3,843,834, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, our effective tax rate was 21.3% and 21.4%, respectively, and differed from the U.S. Federal statutory rate primarily due to U.S. state income tax expense, partially offset by benefits from research and development tax credits.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, we recorded a provision for income tax expense of $1,341,352 and $3,403,523, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, our effective tax rate was 20.9% and 21.2%, respectively, and differed from the U.S. Federal statutory rate primarily due to U.S. state income tax expense, partially offset by benefits from research and development tax credits.
On July 31, 2024, the Company received notice of examination from the U.S. Internal Revenue Service for the tax year ended December 31, 2021. We are currently complying with the taxing authority and believe our tax position for the year under review was appropriate and have not accounted for any proposed adjustments at this time. The Company remains subject to income tax examinations for our United States Federal and certain U.S. state income taxes for 2019 and subsequent years.
10 — Leases
We have entered into operating lease contracts for our manufacturing plant, office space, and various office equipment with two material lease contracts outstanding.
In January 2014, we entered into a non-cancelable operating lease, commencing on July 1, 2014, for our manufacturing and headquarters facility in Winter Springs, Florida owned by Susi, LLC, an entity controlled by our President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman of the Board, Roger Susi. Pursuant to the terms of our lease for this property, the monthly base rent is $34,133, adjusted annually for changes in the consumer price index. The Company paid Susi, LLC $160,266 and $127,817 for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company paid Susi, LLC $479,561 and $386,958, respectively. On May 31, 2019, the expiration date of the initial lease term, and pursuant to the terms of the lease contract, we renewed the lease for an additional five years, which was set to expire on May 31, 2024.
On May 29, 2024, the Company entered into a lease amendment (the “Lease Amendment”) with Susi, LLC under which it did not exercise the second five-year option because of the Company’s continued construction of a new corporate office and manufacturing facility in Orange County, Florida. Pursuant to the terms of the Lease Amendment, the monthly base rent is $34,133, adjusted annually for changes in the consumer price index, and the Lease Amendment has an expiration date of May 31, 2025, and includes an option to renew on a month-to-month basis for up to six months thereafter. The impact of the Lease Amendment to the Right-of-Use (“ROU”) asset valuation is a reduction in the ROU lease liability and ROU assets in the amount of $1.48 million. It has no impact to the statements of operations or cash flow. This Lease Amendment does not contain any residual value guarantee or material restrictive covenants.
In February 2023, we entered into two, two-year, non-cancelable operating leases with non-related parties for additional office space in Winter Springs, Florida. Pursuant to the lease terms, the total monthly base rent is $10,055. For the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company paid $30,165 and $30,165, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company paid $90,495 and $83,140, respectively. Under the terms of the leases, we are responsible for insurance and maintenance expenses. Pursuant to the contract terms, the leases will expire in February 2025 and do not contain any residual value guarantee or material restrictive covenants.