Entity information:

16. Income Taxes

Income tax expense from continuing operations consists of the following (in thousands):

 

 

For the Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

$

 

61,943

 

 

$

 

48,961

 

 

$

 

22,471

 

 

State

 

 

9,349

 

 

 

 

6,622

 

 

 

 

4,188

 

 

Total current

 

 

71,292

 

 

 

 

55,583

 

 

 

 

26,659

 

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred federal

 

 

(6,969

)

 

 

 

(4,187

)

 

 

 

2,274

 

 

Deferred state

 

 

(871

)

 

 

 

(261

)

 

 

 

(28

)

 

Total deferred

 

 

(7,840

)

 

 

 

(4,448

)

 

 

 

2,246

 

 

Total income tax expense

$

 

63,452

 

 

$

 

51,135

 

 

$

 

28,905

 

 

 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes from continuing operations at statutory rates to the provision in the consolidated financial statements (in thousands):

 

 

For the Year Ended April 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

2015

 

 

Federal income taxes expected at 35% statutory rate

$

 

66,957

 

 

$

 

50,783

 

 

$

 

27,556

 

 

State income taxes, less federal income tax benefit

 

 

5,310

 

 

 

 

4,349

 

 

 

 

3,015

 

 

Stock compensation

 

 

(3,092

)

 

 

 

108

 

 

 

 

82

 

 

Business meals and entertainment

 

 

296

 

 

 

 

233

 

 

 

 

205

 

 

Domestic production activity deduction

 

 

(5,728

)

 

 

 

(4,414

)

 

 

 

(2,462

)

 

Research and development tax credit

 

 

(453

)

 

 

 

(215

)

 

 

 

(100

)

 

Change in uncertain tax positions

 

 

 

 

 

 

(91

)

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

162

 

 

 

 

382

 

 

 

 

609

 

 

Total income tax expense

$

 

63,452

 

 

$

 

51,135

 

 

$

 

28,905

 

 

Deferred tax assets (deferred tax liabilities) related to temporary differences are the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

For the Years Ended April 30,

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

 

Non-current tax assets/(liabilities):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating loss carryforwards and tax credits

 

$

2,902

 

 

$

2,712

 

 

Inventories

 

 

9,325

 

 

 

8,789

 

 

Accrued expenses, including compensation

 

 

8,194

 

 

 

7,255

 

 

Environmental reserves

 

 

279

 

 

 

264

 

 

Product liability

 

 

515

 

 

 

748

 

 

Accrued promotions

 

 

4,193

 

 

 

2,463

 

 

Workers' compensation

 

 

796

 

 

 

1,082

 

 

Warranty reserve

 

 

2,114

 

 

 

3,194

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

4,734

 

 

 

3,295

 

 

State bonus depreciation

 

 

1,049

 

 

 

937

 

 

Property taxes

 

 

(189

)

 

 

(140

)

 

Property, plant, and equipment

 

 

(30,017

)

 

 

(27,006

)

 

Intangible assets

 

 

(27,032

)

 

 

(14,289

)

 

Pension

 

 

179

 

 

 

123

 

 

Other

 

 

130

 

 

 

973

 

 

Less valuation allowance

 

 

(2,792

)

 

 

(2,561

)

 

Net deferred tax asset/(liability) — total

 

$

(25,620

)

 

$

(12,161

)

 

 

We had federal net operating loss carryforwards amounting to $324,000 as of April 30, 2017, which expire in fiscal 2020. We obtained $8.2 million in additional loss carryforwards through our acquisition of SWSS on July 20, 2009, the majority of which was utilized in fiscal 2010. Utilization of the remaining losses is limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code to $108,000 in fiscal 2016 and for each taxable year thereafter. It is possible that future substantial changes in our ownership could occur that could result in additional ownership changes pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. If such an ownership change were to occur, there could be an annual limitation on the remaining tax loss carryforward.

There were $17.1 million and $16.8 million in state net operating loss carryforwards as of April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The state net operating loss carryforwards will expire between April 30, 2025 and April 30, 2036. There were $3.2 million and $2.9 million of state tax credit carryforwards as of April 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The state tax credit carryforwards will expire between April 30, 2020 and April 30, 2025 or have no expiration date.

As of April 30, 2017, valuation allowances of $720,000 and $2.1 million were provided on our deferred tax assets for those state net operating loss carryforwards, and state tax credits, respectively, that we do not anticipate using prior to their expiration. As of April 30, 2016, valuation allowances of $708,000 and $1.9 million were provided on our deferred tax assets for those state net operating loss carryforwards and state tax credits, respectively, that we do not anticipate using prior to their expiration. The increase in the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets for state net operating losses and credits and other state deferred tax assets related mainly to Massachusetts Investment Tax Credits. No valuation allowances were provided on our deferred federal income tax assets as of April 30, 2017 or 2016, as we believe that it is more likely than not that all such assets will be realized. Recording a valuation allowance or reversing a valuation allowance could have an effect on our future results of operations and financial position. We are unaware of any recent or expected future changes in tax laws that would have a material impact on our financial statements.  

At April 30, 2017 and 2016, we did not have any gross tax-effected unrecognized tax benefits.  

With limited exception, we are subject to U.S. federal, state, and local, or non-U.S. income tax audits by tax authorities for fiscal years subsequent to April 30, 2013.