For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2019, the effective tax rate for the Company’s operations was 27.9% and 13.6%, respectively. The effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes, income of our Philippines subsidiary that is subject to different effective tax rates, and share-based compensation that is either not deductible for tax purposes or for which the tax deductible amount is different than the financial reporting amount.
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740 - Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). Under the provisions of ASC 740, management is required to evaluate whether a valuation allowance should be established against its deferred tax assets. We currently have a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. As of each reporting date, the Company’s management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could impact management’s view with regard to future realization of deferred tax assets. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 26, 2020, there was no material change from fiscal year ended 2019 in the amount of the Company's deferred tax assets that are not considered to be more likely than not to be realized in future years.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act contains numerous income tax provisions, such as relaxing limitations on the deductibility of interest and the use of net operating losses arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Due to the existence of previously incurred losses, the NOL carryback provisions of the CARES Act did not result in a cash benefit to the Company, however, we do anticipate increased interest expense deductions for tax purposes in 2020 and 2021 as a result of the relaxation of the limitations on the deductibility of interest.
Note 6 – Commitments and Contingencies
Leases
During March, April and July 2020, the Company entered into new lease agreements for its Philippines subsidiary, Torrance headquarters and the Texas distribution center, respectively.
Philippines office lease: The lease commenced on March 15, 2020 with a ten-year lease term set to expire in March of 2030. The Company is obligated to pay approximately $500 in annual base rent, which shall increase by 5% each year beginning on the second year of the lease term and then increase by 4% each year beginning on the sixth year of the lease term. In accordance with ASU 842 – Leases (“ASC 842”), the Company recorded $5,325 in Right-of-use assets – operating, non-current, and $4,981 in Right-of-use obligation – operating, non-current, with $344 recorded in Right-of-use obligation – operating, current, on the consolidated balance sheet at the commencement of the lease.
Torrance headquarters office lease: The lease commenced on April 13, 2020 with a seventy-month lease term set to expire in March of 2026. The Company is obligated to pay approximately $73 in monthly base rent (rent abatement for five months in the first two years), which shall increase by 3% each year beginning on the second-year anniversary of the lease term. In accordance with ASU 842 – Leases (“ASC 842”), the Company recorded $4,338 in Right-of-use assets – operating, non-current, and $3,916 in Right-of-use obligation – operating, non-current, with $422 recorded in Right-of-use obligation – operating, current, on the consolidated balance sheet at the commencement of the lease.
Texas distribution center lease: The lease commenced on July 1, 2020 with a ninety-month lease term set to expire in December of 2027. The Company is obligated to pay approximately $48 in monthly base rent (rent abatement for the first six months of the lease term), which shall increase to $71 in monthly base rent beginning on the second-year anniversary of the lease term and then shall increase by 3% each year beginning on the third-year anniversary. In accordance with ASU 842 – Leases (“ASC 842”), the Company recorded $5,469 in Right-of-use assets – operating, non-current, and $5,231 in Right-of-use obligation – operating, non-current, with $238 recorded in Right-of-use obligation – operating, current, on the consolidated balance sheet at the commencement of the lease.
Legal Matters
Asbestos. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, Automotive Specialty Accessories and Parts, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary Whitney Automotive Group, Inc. ("WAG"), are named defendants in several lawsuits involving claims for damages caused by installation of brakes during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s that contained asbestos. WAG marketed certain brakes, but did not manufacture any brakes. WAG maintains liability insurance coverage to protect its and the Company’s assets from losses arising from the litigation and coverage is provided on an