INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2025

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

11. INCOME TAXES

The Company uses the estimated annual effective tax rate method under ASC 740-270, “Interim Reporting” to calculate the provision for income taxes. The Company recorded expense for income taxes of approximately $15.7 million on pre-tax income from consolidated operations of approximately $3.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2025. This results in an effective tax rate of approximately 399.5%, which includes approximately $14.6 million of discrete tax expense related to valuation allowance for net operating losses, and approximately $0.2 million of discrete tax expense related to stock-based compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2025. The estimated annual effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to the impact of state taxes, non-deductible expenses, and the impact of the valuation allowance against disallowed interest expense and net operating losses.

In accordance with ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes,” the Company continues to evaluate the realizability of its net deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) by assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns, tax planning strategies, and future profitability. Management considers all available evidence, both negative and positive, that could impact the future realization of these DTAs including the continued impact of impairment charges on our operating results. As of March 31, 2025, the Company has a valuation allowance on its DTAs, most significantly its net operating losses and disallowed interest expense assets, after taking into consideration future taxable income from reversing deferred tax liabilities.

The Company is subject to continuous examination of the Company’s income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") and other domestic tax authorities. The Company believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations.