INCOME TAXES: (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of analysis of deferred tax asset and liability

An analysis of DLH's deferred tax asset and liability is as follows (amounts in thousands):

	Years Ended September 30,
	2013			2012
Deferred income tax asset (liability):
Net operating loss carry forwards and tax credits	$	16,944		$	16,459
Prepaid workers' compensation	108			111
Deferred rent	9			3
Accrued liabilities	431			474
Stock based compensation	500			424
Fixed and intangible assets	(1,989		)	(1,460		)
Other items, net	34			12
Valuation allowance	(16,037		)	(16,023		)
Net deferred tax asset	$	—		$	—

Summary of significant components of the expense (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations

The significant components of the expense (benefit) for income taxes from continuing operations are summarized as follows:

	Years Ended September 30,
(amounts in thousands)	2013		2012
Current expense (benefit)	$	—	$	—
Deferred expense (benefit)	—		—
Total expense (benefit)	$	—	$	—

Schedule of significant differences between the Federal statutory rate and the entity's effective tax rate for continuing operations

The following table indicates the significant differences between the Federal statutory rate and DLH's effective tax rate for continuing operations:

	Years Ended September 30,
(amounts in thousands)	2013			2012
Federal statutory rate	$	(54	)	$	(689	)
State taxes, net	—			—
Other permanent items	3			13
Valuation allowance	51			676
	$	—		$	—