| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 6 Months Ended |
| Jun. 30, 2023 |
| Summary of significant accounting policies | |
| Principal of Consolidation | The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Tantech BVI and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). All significant inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated upon consolidation. |
| Non-controlling interest | Non-controlling interest represents 30% of the equity interest in Shangchi Automobile and its subsidiary Shenzhen Yimao owned by Zhangjiagang Jinke Chuangtou Co., Ltd., which is not under the Company’s control. |
| Use of Estimates | In preparing the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with US GAAP, management makes estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the consolidated financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting year. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the fair value estimates used in the useful lives of property and equipment and intangible assets, allowances pertaining to the allowance for doubtful accounts of accounts receivable, financing receivables, advance to suppliers and other receivables, the valuation of inventories, the impairment of long-lived assets, the realizability of deferred tax assets, right-of-use assets, convertible notes and lease liabilities. |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements”, defines fair value, establishes a three-level valuation hierarchy for fair value measurements and enhances disclosure requirements. The three levels are defined as follows: Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted market prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, and inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data. Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable. Unless otherwise disclosed, the fair value of the Company’s financial instruments including cash, restricted cash, accounts receivable, advances to suppliers, other receivables, accounts payable, customer deposits, accrued expenses, short term bank loans and bank acceptance notes payable approximates their recorded values due to their short-term maturities. |
| Assets and Liabilities Measured or Disclosed at Fair Value on a recurring basis | The following tables represent the fair value hierarchy of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2023: As of June 30, 2023 Fair Value Measurement at the Reporting Date using Quoted price in active markets for identical assets Level 1 Significant other observable inputs Level 2 Significant unobservable inputs Level 3 Total Financial liabilities: Convertible note $ — $ — $ 2,003,000 $ 2,003,000 Total $ — $ — $ 2,003,000 $ 2,003,000 The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for convertible note measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the six months ended June 30, 2023: June 30, 2023 Opening balance $ - New convertible loans issued 1,999,990 Change in fair value of convertible loan 3,010 Ending balance $ 2,003,000 The Company did not have financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2022. |
| Cash and cash equivalents | For purposes of the statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less and money market accounts to be cash equivalents. All cash balances are in bank accounts in PRC and are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or other programs. |
| Restricted Cash | As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s restricted cash represents the cash of $23,350 and $4,827 remains frozen in the bank accounts of one of the Company’s subsidiaries as the result of the ongoing lawsuit filed by Mr. Hengwei Chen to against the Company (see Note 14). |
| Concentrations of credit risk | Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, trade accounts receivable and advances to suppliers. All of the Company’s cash is maintained with banks within the People’s Republic of China of which no deposits are covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. A significant portion of the Company’s sales are credit sales which are primarily to customers whose ability to pay is dependent upon the industry economics prevailing in these areas. The Company also makes cash advances to certain suppliers to ensure the stable supply of key raw materials. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and key suppliers to help further reduce credit risk. |
| Financing receivable | Financing receivables represent receivables arising from the Company’s factoring business. Financing receivables are measured at amortized cost and reported on the consolidated balance sheets based on the outstanding principal adjusted for any write-off, and the allowance. Amortized cost of a financing receivables is equal to the unpaid principal balance plus interest receivable. The Company recognizes financial interest income over the terms of the financing receivables using the effective interest rate method. |
| Accounts receivable | Accounts receivable are presented at invoiced amount net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses. The Company reviews its accounts receivable on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the collectability of individual balances. In evaluating the collectability of individual receivable balances, the Company considers many factors, including the age of the balance, customer’s payment history, its current credit-worthiness and current economic trends. Accounts are written off after efforts at collection prove unsuccessful. |
| Inventory | The Company values its inventories at the lower of cost, determined on a weighted average basis, or net realizable value. The Company reviews its inventories periodically to determine if any markdown is necessary for potential obsolescence or if a write-down is necessary if the carrying value exceeds net realizable value. |
| Advances to suppliers | In order to ensure a steady supply of raw materials, the Company is required from time to time to make cash advances when placing its purchase orders. The Company reviews its advances to suppliers on a periodic basis and makes general and specific allowances when there is doubt as to the ability of a supplier to refund an advance or provide supplies to the Company. |
| Property, Plant and Equipment, net | Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. The cost of an asset comprises its purchase price and any directly attributable costs of bringing the asset to its present working condition and location for its intended use. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The estimated useful lives for significant property and equipment are as follows: Buildings 20 years Machinery and equipment 5 - 10 years Transportation equipment 4 - 5 years Office equipment 4 - 5 years Electronic equipment 3 - 5 years Repairs and maintenance costs are normally charged to earnings in the year in which they are incurred. In situations where it can be clearly demonstrated that the expenditure has resulted in an increase in the future economic benefits expected to be obtained from the use of the asset, the expenditure is capitalized as an additional cost of the asset. Construction in progress includes direct costs of construction or acquisition of equipment, interest expense associated with the loans used for the construction and design fees incurred. Capitalization of these costs ceases and the construction in progress is transferred to plant and equipment when substantially all the activities necessary to prepare the assets for their intended use are completed. No depreciation is provided until it is completed and ready for its intended use. |
| Intangible assets | Intangible assets are acquired individually or as part of a group of assets, and are initially recorded at cost. The cost of a group of assets acquired in a transaction is allocated to the individual assets based on their relative fair values. Intangible assets are carried at cost less accumulated amortization and any recorded impairment. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using a straight-line method over the period of estimated useful life. The estimated useful lives of the Company’s intangible assets are as follows: Estimated Useful Life Licenses and permits Indefinite Software 5 - 10 years Land use right 50 years Patents 10 years The Company evaluates intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. |
| Long term investments | The Company accounts for investment in equity investees over which it has significant influence but does not own a majority of the equity interest or lack of control using the equity method. For investment in equity investees over which the Company does not have significant influence or the underlying shares the Company invested in are not considered in-substance common shares and have no readily determinable fair value, the cost method accounting is applied. The Company records the equity method investments at historical cost and subsequently adjusts the carrying amount each period for share of the earnings or losses of the investee and other adjustments required by the equity method of accounting. Dividends received from the equity method investments are recorded as reductions in the cost of such investments. The Company records the cost method investments at historical cost and subsequently record any dividends received from the net accumulated earnings of the investee as income. Dividends received in excess of earnings are considered a return of investment and are recorded as reductions in the cost of the investments. Investment in equity investees are evaluated for impairment when facts or circumstances indicate that the fair value of the investment is less than its carrying value. An impairment is recognized when a decline in fair value is determined to be other-than-temporary. The Company reviews several factors to determine whether a loss is other-than-temporary. These factors include, but are not limited to, the: (i) nature of the investment; (ii) cause and duration of the impairment; (iii) extent to which fair value is less than cost; (iv) financial condition and near term prospects of the investments; and (v) ability to hold the security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. |
| Impairment of Long-Lived Assets | The Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances, such as a significant adverse change to market conditions that will impact the future use of the assets, indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. When these events occur, the Company evaluates the recoverability of long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount of the assets over their fair value. Fair value is generally determined by discounting the cash flows expected to be generated by the assets, when the market prices are not readily available. |
| Customer Deposits | Customer deposits represent amounts received from customers in advance of shipments relating to the sales of the Company’s products. |
| Loan Payable to Third Parties | Loan payable to third parties represent amounts the Company borrowed from third parties for working capital purpose. |
| Leases | In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The standard requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requires expanded disclosures about leasing arrangements. The new standard establishes a right-of-use model (“ROU”) that requires a lessee to recognize a ROU asset and lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with a term longer than 12 months. The Company adopted ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis and elected the practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allows the Company to carryforward the historical lease classification, the assessment on whether a contract is or contains a lease, and the initial direct costs for any leases that exist prior to adoption of the new standard. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recognized on the balance sheet and the associated lease payments are included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The standard did not materially impact our consolidated net earnings and cash flows. |
| Revenue Recognition | The Company adopted ASC Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”) on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. There is no adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings at January 1, 2018 since there was no change to the timing and pattern of revenue recognition upon adoption of ASC 606. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when control of promised goods or services is transferred to the Company’s customers in an amount of consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company’s revenues are primarily derived from the following sources: Sales of products: The Company recognizes sales revenue, net of sales taxes and estimated sales returns, at the time the product is delivered to the customer and control is transferred (point of sale). For the Company’s electric vehicles sales contracts, the Company provides a warranty for 12 months from the products are delivered. The Company determines such product warranty is an assurance-type warranty and is not a separated performance obligation in revenue recognition, because the nature of warranty is to provide assurance that a product will function as expected and in accordance with customer’s specification. The Company estimates the warranty costs when the promised good is delivered to the customer and accrues as warranty liabilities. Commission income: The Company acts as an agent without assuming the risks and rewards of ownership of the goods and reports the revenue on a net basis. Revenue is recognized based on the completion of the contracted service. Government manufacturing rebate income: The Company sells electric vehicles in China and is eligible for a government manufacturing rebate on each qualifying electric vehicle sold. The government manufacturing rebates are recognized as part of revenue when sales are finalized, amount of rebate can be reasonably estimated and collection is assured. The collectability of rebates can be assured as long as the sales are deemed qualifying based on the criteria set by the government. Revenue is reported net of all value added taxes. The Company does not routinely permit customers to return products and historically, customer returns have been immaterial. |
| Cost of Revenues | Cost of revenues includes cost of raw materials purchased, inbound freight cost, cost of direct labor, depreciation expense and other overhead. Write-down of inventory for lower of cost or net realizable value adjustments is also recorded in cost of revenues. |
| Shipping and Handling | Shipping and handling costs are expensed as incurred and included in selling expenses. |
| Subsidy Income | The Company periodically receives various government grants such as “High Technology Projects Subsidy” and “Scientific Research Grant”. There is no guarantee the Company will continue to receive such grants in the future. |
| Foreign Currency Translation | The Company’s financial information is presented in U.S. dollars. The functional currency of the Company’s subsidiaries in the PRC is the RMB, the currency of the PRC. Any subsidiary transactions, which are denominated in currencies other than RMB, are translated into RMB at the exchange rate quoted by the People’s Bank of China prevailing at the dates of the transactions, and exchange gains and losses are included in the statements of comprehensive income (loss) as foreign currency transaction gain or loss. The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters”. The financial information is first prepared in RMB and then is translated into U.S. dollars at period-end exchange rates for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates for revenue and expenses. Capital accounts are translated at their historical exchange rates when the capital transactions occurred. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in shareholders’ equity. Cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies using the average translation rate. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheets. The following table outlines the currency exchange rates that were used in creating the consolidated financial statements in this report: June 30, 2023 June 30, 2022 December 31, 2022 US$: RMB exchange rate Period End $ 0.1379 Period End $ 0.1493 Period End $ 0.1450 Average $ 0.1443 Average $ 0.1543 Average $ 0.1486 |
| Research and development costs | Research and development expenses include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development projects, including the cost of salaries and other employee benefits, testing expenses, consumable equipment and consulting fees prior to the establishment of technological feasibility. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred. |
| Comprehensive Income (loss) | Comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components, net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to revenue, expenses, gains and losses that under GAAP are recorded as an element of shareholders’ equity but are excluded from net income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of foreign currency translation adjustment from those subsidiaries not using the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. |
| Income Taxes | The Company’s subsidiaries in China are subject to the income tax laws of the PRC. No taxable income was generated outside the PRC as of June 30, 2023. The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes”. ASC 740 requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes and allows recognition and measurement of deferred tax assets based upon the likelihood of realization of tax benefits in future years. Under the asset and liability approach, deferred taxes are provided for the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not these items will either expire before the Company is able to realize their benefits, or future deductibility is uncertain. ASC 740 10 25 prescribes a more-likely-than-not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken (or expected to be taken) in a tax return. It also provides guidance on the recognition of income tax assets and liabilities, classification of current and deferred income tax assets and liabilities, accounting for interest and penalties associated with tax positions, years open for tax examination, accounting for income taxes in interim periods and income tax disclosures. The statute of limitation on the PRC tax authority’s audit or examination of previously filed tax returns expires three years from the date they were filed. There were no material uncertain tax positions as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. |
| Value Added Tax ("VAT") | The Company is subject to VAT for selling merchandise. The applicable VAT rate is 11% or 13% or 17% (depending on the type of goods involved) for products sold in the PRC. The applicable VAT rate of 17% and 11% decreased to 16% and 10% starting from May 2018, and further decreased to 13% and 9% from April 1, 2019. The amount of VAT liability is determined by applying the applicable tax rate to the invoiced amount of goods sold (output VAT) less VAT paid on purchases made with the relevant supporting invoices (input VAT). Under the commercial practice of the PRC, the Company pays VAT based on tax invoices issued. The tax invoices may be issued subsequent to the date on which revenue is recognized, and there may be a considerable delay between the date on which the revenue is recognized and the date on which the tax invoice is issued. In the event the PRC tax authorities dispute the date on which revenue is recognized for tax purposes, the PRC tax office has the right to assess a penalty based on the amount of taxes which is determined to be late or deficient, with any penalty being expensed in the period when a determination is made by the tax authorities that a penalty is due. During the reporting periods, the Company had no dispute with PRC tax authorities and there was no tax penalty incurred. |
| Earnings per Share ("EPS") | The Company computes earnings per share (“EPS”) in accordance with ASC 260, “Earnings per Share” (“ASC 260”), and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98 (“SAB 98”). ASC 260 requires companies with complex capital structures to present basic and diluted EPS. Basic EPS is measured as net income divided by the weighted average common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is similar to basic EPS but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of potential common shares (e.g., convertible securities, options and warrants) as if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented, or issuance date, if later. Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (i.e., those that increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the total number of registered and unregistered warrants outstanding both were 26,765. For the six months ended June 30, 2023, no warrants were included in diluted income per share since the exercise prices for the warrants were more than the average market price. For the six months ended June 30, 2022, 16,225 warrants were included in diluted income per share since the exercise prices for the warrants were lower than the average market price. |
| Statement of Cash Flows | In accordance with ASC 230, “Statement of Cash Flows,” cash flows from the Company’s operations are calculated based upon the local currencies. As a result, amounts related to assets and liabilities reported on the statements of cash flows will not necessarily agree with changes in the corresponding balances on the balance sheets. |
| Risks and Uncertainties | The operations of the Company are located in the PRC. Accordingly, the Company’s business, financial condition, and results of operations may be influenced by the political, economic, and legal environments in the PRC, in addition to the general state of the PRC economy. The Company’s operating results may be adversely affected by changes in the political and social conditions in the PRC, and by changes in governmental policies with respect to laws and regulations, anti-inflationary measures, currency conversion and remittance abroad, and rates and methods of taxation, among other things. The Company’s sales, purchases and expense transactions are denominated in RMB, and primarily all of the Company’s assets and liabilities are also denominated in RMB. The RMB is not freely convertible into foreign currencies under the current law. In China, foreign exchange transactions are required by law to be transacted only by authorized financial institutions at exchange rates set by the People’s Bank of China, the central bank of China. Remittances in currencies other than RMB may require certain supporting documentation in order to affect the remittance. The Company does not carry any business interruption insurance, products liability insurance or any other insurance policy except for a limited property insurance policy. As a result, the Company may incur uninsured losses, increasing the possibility that investors would lose their entire investment in the Company. |
| Recent accounting pronouncements | The Company considers the applicability and impact of all accounting standards updates (“ASUs”). Management periodically reviews new accounting standards that are issued. In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU No. 2021-08, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2021-08”). This ASU requires entities to apply Topic 606 to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities in a business combination. The amendments improve comparability after the business combination by providing consistent recognition and measurement guidance for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination and revenue contracts with customers not acquired in a business combination. The amendments are effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2023, and are applied prospectively to business combinations that occur after the effective date. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2021-04 to have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements. Except for the above-mentioned pronouncements, there are no new recent issued accounting standards that will have material impact on the consolidated financial statements. |
