DataXu, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016
In 000’s, except for number of shares and par value
As of December 31, 2018, the Company has approximately $43,958 and $59,718 of federal and state net operating loss carryforwards, respectively, that expire at various dates through 2038. Additionally, the Company has approximately $10,296 and $3,313 of federal and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, respectively, that expire indefinitely. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has approximately $4,048 and $2,673 of federal and state research and development credit carryforwards, respectively, that expire at various dates through 2038.
The Company has evaluated the positive and negative evidence bearing upon its ability to realize its deferred tax assets, which are comprised primarily of net operating loss carryforwards, capitalized research and development expenses, and research and development credits. Management has considered the Company’s history of cumulative net losses in the U.S. and Germany, estimated future taxable income and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies and has concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will not realize the benefits of its U.S. federal, state, and German deferred tax assets.
The Company’s valuation allowance increased during 2018 by approximately $4,720 due to the generation of net operating losses and increases in research and development carryforwards and capitalized research and development expenses.
Utilization of the U.S. federal and state net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual limitation under Section 382 and Section 383 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and corresponding provisions of state law, due to ownership changes that have occurred previously or that could occur in the future. These ownership changes may limit the amount of net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards that can be utilized annually to offset future taxable income and tax liabilities, respectively. The Company has not completed a study to assess whether a change of ownership has occurred, or whether there have been multiple ownership changes since its formation, due to the significant cost and complexity associated with such a study. Any limitation may result in expiration of a portion of the net operating loss carryforwards or research and development credit carryforwards before utilization. Further, until a study is completed by the Company and any limitation is known, no amounts are being presented as an uncertain tax position.
The Company files tax returns in the United States, several states, and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is subject to U.S. federal, state and local, and foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2015 through present; however, carryforward attributes that were generated prior to January 1, 2015 may still be adjusted upon examination by federal, state or local tax authorities if they either have been or will be used in a future period. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has recorded no liability for unrecognized tax benefits, interest, or penalties related to federal, state, and foreign income tax matters and there currently no pending tax examinations.
On December 22, 2017, President Trump signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA” or the “Act”). The Act provides for significant changes in the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. The Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent effective January 1, 2018, and among other things, requires companies to pay aone-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred. The Financial accounting Standards Board has recognized the complexity of reflecting the impacts of the TCJA, and has allowednon-public companies to apply the guidance in Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”),Income Tax Accounting Implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, issued by the US Securities and Exchange Commission. SAB 118 provides aone-year measurement period from a registrant’s reporting period that includes the Act’s enactment date to allow the registrant sufficient time to obtain, prepare and analyze information to complete the accounting required under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740 –Income Taxes.
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