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Accounting Records and Use of Estimates
6 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2016
Accounting Records and Use of Estimates: [Abstract]  
Accounting Records and Use of Estimates:
1. Accounting Records and Use of Estimates:
 
          

The accounting records are maintained in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of the Company's financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The estimates that we make include allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation and amortization, income tax assets and liabilities, fair value of marketable securities and revenue recognition. Estimates are based on historical experience where applicable or other assumptions that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results may differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The interim financial statements are prepared pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q. The July 31, 2015 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP. The interim financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's latest Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2015. In the opinion of management, the interim financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for a fair statement of the results for interim periods. The results of operations for the current period are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending July 31, 2016.

The computation of the annual expected effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year and future periods, projections of the proportion of income (or loss), and permanent and temporary differences. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, or as additional information is obtained. To the extent that the estimated annual effective tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in tax expense for the current quarter.

On September 13, 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service released final income tax regulations on the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property (“tangible property regulations”). The tangible property regulations clarify and expand sections 162(a) and 263(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”), which relate to amounts paid to acquire, produce, or improve tangible property. Additionally, the tangible property regulations provide final guidance under IRC section 167 regarding accounting for and retirement of depreciable property and regulations under IRC section 168 relating to the accounting for property under the Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System. The tangible property regulations affect all taxpayers that acquire, produce, or improve tangible property, and generally apply to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The Company implemented the tangible property regulations with the filing of the federal tax return for the year ended July 31, 2015.

For the year ended July 31, 2015, after implementing the tangible property regulations, the Company incurred a federal net operating loss of $8,191,403. The Company was able to carryback $1,582,003, generating a federal income tax refund receivable of $537,881. The remainder of the federal net operating loss approximating $6,609,000 will be available to offset future taxable income. In addition, as of July 31, 2015 the Company had state and city net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $9,000,000 available to offset future state and city taxable income. The net operating loss carryforwards will expire, if not used, in 2035.

New York State and New York City taxes for years through July 31, 2015 are calculated using the higher of taxes based on income or the respective capital-based franchise taxes. In April 2014, the New York State governor signed into law legislation overhauling the New York State franchise tax on corporations. The changes in the law will be effective for the Company's year ending July 31, 2016. The state capital-based tax will be phased out over a 7-year period. As of July, 2015, the Company anticipates New York State taxes will be based on capital through 2022, and New York City taxes will be based on capital for the foreseeable future. Capital based franchise taxes are recorded to administrative and general expense.

Due to the application of the capital-based tax while the net operating loss still applies, or due to the possible absence of State taxable income in the years beyond 2022 to which the State loss can be carried, the Company has not recorded the New York State or New York City tax benefit of its net operating loss carryforwards. Also, to reflect its expectation that reversal of temporary differences will not result in New York State or City tax based on income, as of July 31, 2015 the Company decreased the deferred tax asset, deferred tax liability, and deferred taxes on unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities by $380,000, $771,000 and $26,000, respectively, resulting in a State and City deferred tax benefit of $365,000.

Recent accounting pronouncements:

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2013-11, "Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Carryforward Exists.” The Company adopted ASU 2013-11 in the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended July 31, 2015. The adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on these condensed consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an update (“ASU 2014-09”) establishing ASC Topic 606 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. ASU 2014-09 establishes a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most of the existing revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services and also requires certain additional disclosures. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2016. ASU 2015-14 extended the implementation date for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017. The adoption of the update on August 1, 2018 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.