INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Apr. 04, 2025

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

10. INCOME TAXES

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and tax basis of the Company’s assets and liabilities, subject to a judgmental assessment of the recoverability of deferred tax assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets may not be realized. Significant judgment is applied when assessing the need for valuation allowances and includes the evaluation of historical income (loss) adjusted for the effects of non-recurring items and the impact of recent business combinations. Areas of estimation include the Company’s consideration of future taxable income which is driven by verifiable signed contracts and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the utilization of deferred tax assets in future years, the Company would adjust the related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to income.

At the end of fiscal year 2024, the Company’s total valuation allowance was $1.1 million, reflecting a $0.1 million release of the valuation allowance balance of $1.2 million from the end of fiscal year 2023 as a result of expected future utilization of deferred tax assets. As of April 4, 2025, the Company assessed all available positive and negative evidence available to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, there was a change in judgment related to the utilization of deferred tax assets in future years. The Company concluded that as of April 4, 2025, the valuation allowance for the Company’s deferred tax assets was appropriate in accordance with ASC 740. Consequently, there was no change to the valuation allowance during the three months ended April 4, 2025.

For acquired business entities, if the Company identifies changes to acquired deferred tax asset valuation allowances or liabilities related to uncertain tax positions during the measurement period and they relate to new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date, those changes are considered a measurement period adjustment, and the Company records the offset to goodwill. The Company records all other changes to deferred tax asset valuation allowances and liabilities related to uncertain tax positions in current period income tax expense.

The Company recognizes the tax benefit from uncertain tax positions if it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on examination by the tax authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefit is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. During the three months ended April 4, 2025, and the three months ended March 29, 2024, the Company did not record a liability for uncertain tax positions.

Based on the Company’s estimates and determination of an effective tax rate for the year, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $0.5 million for the three months ended April 4, 2025, compared to an income tax expense of $1.0 million for the three months ended March 29, 2024. During the three months ended April 4, 2025, the difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate was primarily attributable to state taxes, nondeductible executive compensation, deductions related to stock option exercises, research and development tax credits, and the commercial energy-efficiency building deduction. During the three months ended March 29, 2024, the difference between the effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate was primarily attributable to state taxes, non-deductible stock compensation, nondeductible executive compensation, research and development tax credits, and the commercial building energy efficiency deduction.