NOTE 13 — INCOME TAXES

The Company follows Accounting Standards Codification subtopic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under such method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse.

The difference between income tax expense computed by applying the federal statutory corporate tax rate and actual income tax expense is as follows:

At December 31, 2016 and 2015, the significant components of the deferred tax assets (liabilities) are summarized below:

As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $98.2 million and $96.5 million, respectively, which expire at various dates from 2019 through 2036. These net operating loss carryforwards may be used to offset future taxable income and thereby reduce the Company’s U.S. federal income taxes. Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”) imposes an annual limit on the ability of a corporation that undergoes a greater than 50% ownership change to use its net operating loss carry forwards to reduce its tax liability. If in the future the Company issues common stock or additional equity instruments convertible in common shares which result in an ownership change exceeding the 50% limitation threshold imposed by section 382 of the Code, the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards may be significantly limited as to the amount of use in a particular years. In addition, all or a portion of the Company’s net operating loss carryforwards may expire unutilized. As of December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $98.2 million and $96.5 million, respectively, which expire at various dates from 2019 through 2036.

The Company has provided a full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax assets, since in the opinion of management based upon the earnings history of the Company; it is more likely than not that the benefits of these assets will not be realized.

The Company complies with the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10 in accounting for its uncertain tax positions. ASC 740-10 addresses the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. Under ASC 740-10, the Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely that not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. Management has determined that the Company has no significant uncertain tax positions requiring recognition under ASC 740-10.

The Company is subject to income tax in the U.S., and certain state jurisdictions. The Company has not been audited by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, or any states in connection with income taxes. The Company’s tax years generally remain open to examination for all federal and state tax matters until its net operating loss carryforwards are utilized and the applicable statutes of limitation have expired. The federal and state tax authorities can generally reduce a net operating loss (but not create taxable income) for a period outside the statute of limitations in order to determine the correct amount of net operating loss which may be allowed as a deduction against income for a period within the statute of limitations.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if incurred, as a component of income tax expense.