INCOME TAXES |
9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2021 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| INCOME TAXES | INCOME TAXESWe file an income tax return in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and a margin tax return in Texas. Previously, the Texas Comptroller selected the R&D credit calculations related to the 2014 and 2015 calendar years for audit. The state of Texas suspended examination of the 2014 and 2015 calendar years in order to perform a comprehensive review of audit procedures to provide consistency. During the fourth quarter of 2019, we received notice that Texas had completed review of its procedures and initiated additional requests for information which has been submitted for their review. We do not expect any material changes related to the Texas audits. Our federal and Texas tax returns remain open for examination for the years 2017 through 2020. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively, we recognized no adjustments for uncertain tax positions or related interest and penalties.
The effective tax rate varies from the federal statutory rate of 21%, primarily as a result of foreign tax credits, state tax expense and stock based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 and 2020. We continue to maintain a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets, specifically for mining claims for PEVM, where realization is not certain.
The CARES Act provided stimulus measures to companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which included the ability to defer payment for employer payroll taxes, utilize net operating loss (“NOL”) carrybacks, increased the limitation on the deductibility of interest expense, technical corrections to allow accelerated tax depreciation on qualified improvement property, as well as allowing qualified business to apply for loans and grants. We filed carryback claims allowed under these provisions and have collected all amounts, including interest. The remaining approximately $2.5 million related to our second and final NOL carryback claims, including approximately $0.1 million of interest income, was received in April 2021.
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