Marketing and sales expense
Marketing and sales expense was $381,313, and $235,091 during 2022 and 2021, respectively. This was an increase of $146,222, or 62.2%. During 2022 there was an increase in compensation of $45,632 which was partially offset by a reduction in outside consulting expenses of $23,500. Travel expenses increased $43,474 as we resumed in-person meetings with some customers and participated onsite in additional industry trade shows. The ERC of approximately $71,000 reduced expenses in 2021.
Stock compensation expense
Included in total expenses were non-cash stock-based compensation costs of $49,321 and $47,903 for 2022 and 2021, respectively. The non-employee board members received compensation of 8,755 and 9,165 shares of common stock of the Company during 2022 and 2021, respectively. The stock had an aggregate value of $29,967 and $29,963 for the year ended December 31, 2022, and 2021, respectively, and was recorded as non-cash stock compensation expense in the financial statements. Beginning January 1, 2023, non-employee board members will receive their entire compensation in cash. Compensation expense for all stock-based awards is based on the grant date fair value and recognized over the required service (vesting) period. Unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense was $1,576 as of December 31, 2022, and will be recognized through April 2023
Interest
Interest income was $19,201 for the year ended December 31, 2022 and interest expense was $32,140 for the year ended December 31, 2021. The improvement was due to our investment into marketable securities and the overall increase in interest rates during the second half of 2022 and the final payments of multiple finance leases during 2021.
Income taxes
Income tax expense was $542,395 and $392,242 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2021, the deferred tax asset was $663,820. As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. Accordingly, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary, and the deferred tax asset was $151,164 at December 31, 2022.
Income applicable to common stock
Income applicable to common stock for 2022 and 2021 was $1,957,024 and $1,654,672, respectively. The increase was primarily the result of higher revenue and gross profit. Included in the year 2021 was the ERC which reduced overall expenses by approximately $561,000 and the forgiveness of our Payroll Protection Plan loan of $325,300.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
As of December 31, 2022, cash on hand was $3,947,966 compared to $4,140,942 at December 31, 2021. We purchased marketable securities of $1,989,265 and production equipment of $536,313 during 2022 which slightly reduced our year-end cash balance.
Working capital
At December 31, 2022, working capital was $5,211,625 compared to $3,907,135 at December 31, 2021, an increase of $1,304,490 or 33.4%. The increase was primarily due to the increase in inventory and investment in marketable securities noted above.