1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

Scientific Industries, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) design, manufacture, and market a variety of benchtop laboratory equipment, bioprocessing products and catalyst research instruments. The Company is headquartered in Bohemia, New York where it produces benchtop laboratory equipment. Additionally, the Company has two other locations in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it produces a variety of custom-made catalyst research instruments and designs bioprocessing products, and an administrative facility in Orangeburg, New York related to sales and marketing. The products, which are sold to customers worldwide, include mixers, shakers, stirrers, refrigerated incubators, pharmacy balances and scales, force gauges, catalyst characterization instruments, reactor systems and high throughput systems. The Company also sublicenses certain patents and technology under a license with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and receives royalty fees from the sublicenses.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy began to take effect and impact the Company’s operations at the end of the third quarter of the year ended June 30, 2020.  At that time, the Company took appropriate action and put plans in place to diminish the effects of COVID-19 on its operations, enabling the Company to continue to operate with minor or temporary disruptions to its operations. The Company took immediate action as it pertains to COVID-19 preparedness by implementing the Center for Disease Control’s guidelines for employers in order to protect the Company’s employees’ health and safety, with actions such as implementing work from home, social distancing in the workplace, requiring self quarantine for any employee showing symptoms, wearing face coverings, and training employees on maintaining a healthy work environment. However, if an employee becomes infected in the future, and the Company is forced to shut down for a period of time, it could have a short-term negative impact on operations. At the beginning of the pandemic, the Catalyst Research Instruments and Bioprocessing Systems Operations were shut down due to state mandates, however, the impact on operations was immaterial, and the Company has been able to retain its employees without furloughs or layoffs, in part, due to the Company’ receipt of $563,800 loan under the Federal Government’s Paycheck Protection Program. The Company has not experienced and does not anticipate any material impact on its ability to collect its accounts receivable due to the nature of its customers, which are primarily distributors of laboratory equipment and supplies that have the ability to pay. However, there were some delays in receiving some accounts receivable due for catalyst research instruments due to customer shutdowns, and there was a material negative impact on the revenues of the Catalyst Research Instruments. The Company has not experienced and does not anticipate any material impairment to its tangible and intangible assets, system of internal controls, supply chain, or delivery and distribution of its products as a result of COVID-19, however the ultimate impact of COVID-19 on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows is dependent on future developments, including the duration or worsening of the pandemic and the related length of its impact on the global economy, which are uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time.

Principles of consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Scientific Industries, Inc., Scientific Packaging Industries, Inc., an inactive wholly-owned subsidiary, Altamira Instruments, Inc. (“Altamira”), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary, and Scientific Bioprocessing, Inc. (“SBI”), a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary, (all collectively referred to as the “Company”). All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Revenue Recognition

On July 1, 2018 the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as amended” (“ASC Topic 606”), using the modified retrospective method applied to those contracts which were not completed as of the adoption date. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on how the Company recognizes its revenues. In accordance with Topic 606, the Company accounts for a customer contract when both parties have approved the contract and are committed to perform their respective obligations, each party’s rights can be identified, payment terms can be identified, the contract has commercial substance, and it is probable that the Company will collect substantially all of the consideration to which it is entitled. Revenue is recognized when, or as, performance obligations are satisfied by transferring control of a promised product or service to a customer.

Nature of Products and Services

We generate revenues from the following sources: (1) Benchtop Laboratory Equipment, (2) Catalyst Research Instruments, and (3) Royalties.

	Benchtop  Laboratory  Equipment		Catalyst  Research  Instruments		Bioprocessing  Systems		Corporate  and  Other		Consolidated
June 30, 2020:
Revenues	$	6,783,600	$	785,900	$	1,000,800	$	-	$	8,570,300
Foreign Sales		2,589,800		586,500		1,000,400		-		4,176,700

	Benchtop  Laboratory  Equipment		Catalyst  Research  Instruments		Bioprocessing  Systems		Corporate  and  Other		Consolidated
June 30, 2019:
Revenues	$	7,078,800	$	1,814,900	$	1,306,100	$	-	$	10,199,800
Foreign Sales		2,680,300		1,102,300		1,301,200		-		5,083,800

Benchtop laboratory equipment sales comprise primarily of standard benchtop laboratory equipment from its stock to laboratory equipment distributors, or to end users primarily via e-commerce. The sales cycle from time of receipt of order to shipment is very short varying from a day to a few weeks. Customers either pay by credit card (online sales) or Net 30-90, depending on the customer. Once the item is shipped under the FOB terms specified in the order, which is primarily “FOB Factory”, other than a standard warranty, there are no other obligations to the customer. Warranty usually comprises of one to two year parts and labor and is deemed immaterial.

Catalyst research instrument sales comprise primarily of large instruments which begin with a standard model and then are customized to a customer’s specifications. The sales cycle can be quite long, typically ranging from one to three months, from the time an order is received to the time the instrument is shipped to the customer. Payment terms vary from customer to customer and can include advance payments which are recorded as contract liabilities. Some contracts call for training and installation, which is considered ancillary and not a material part of the contract. Due to the size and nature of the instruments, the Company subjects the instruments to an extensive factory acceptance testing process prior to shipment to ensure that they are fully operational once they reach the customer’s site. Normally, the Company warrantees its instruments for a period of twelve months for parts and labor which normally consists of replacement of small components or software support. Catalyst research instruments are never returned for repairs.

Royalty revenues pertain to royalties earned by the Company, which are paid to the Company on a calendar year basis, under a licensing agreement from a single licensee and its sublicensees. The license pertained to royalties received under a United States patent and a European Union patent. As of January 2020, the European Union patent which was due to expire in August 2021, was terminated and the Company will only receive royalties under the United States patent, which will have a material reduction in total royalties expected to be received. The Company is then obligated to pay 50% of all royalties received to the entity that licenses the intellectual property to the Company. During the year, the Company’s management uses its best judgement to estimate the royalty revenues earned during the period.

The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:

● Identification of the contract, or contracts, with a customer

● Identification of the performance obligations in the contract

● Determination of the transaction price

● Allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

● Recognition of revenue when, or as, a performance obligation is satisfied

The Company has made the following accounting policy elections and elected to use certain practical expedients, as permitted by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), in applying ASC Topic 606: 1) All revenues are recorded net of returns, allowances, customer discounts, and incentives; 2) Although sales and other taxes are immaterial, the Company accounts for amounts collected from customers for sales and other taxes, if any, net of related amounts remitted to tax authorities; 3) the Company expenses costs to obtain a contract as they are incurred if the expected period of benefit, and therefore the amortization period, is one year or less; 4) the Company accounts for shipping and handling activities that occur after control transfers to the customer as a fulfillment cost rather than an additional promised service and these fulfillment costs fall within selling expenses; 5) the Company is always considered the principal and never an agent, because it has full control and responsibility until title is transferred to the customer; 6) the Company does not assess whether promised goods or services are performance obligations if they are immaterial in the context of the contract with the customer such as is the case with catalyst instruments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with original maturities of 90 days or less to be cash equivalents. At times, cash balances may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limit. As of June 30, 2020, and 2019, $6,729,300 and $1,328,600, respectively of cash balances were in excess of such limit.

Accounts Receivable

In order to record the Company’s accounts receivable at their net realizable value, the Company must assess their collectability. A considerable amount of judgment is required in order to make this assessment, including an analysis of historical bad debts and other adjustments, a review of the aging of the Company’s receivables, and the current creditworthiness of the Company’s customers. The Company has recorded allowances for receivables which it considered uncollectible, including amounts for the resolution of potential credit and other collection issues such as disputed invoices, customer satisfaction claims and pricing discrepancies. However, depending on how such potential issues are resolved, or if the financial condition of any of the Company’s customers was to deteriorate and its ability to make required payments became impaired, increases in these allowances may be required. The Company actively manages its accounts receivable to minimize credit risk. The Company does not obtain collateral for its accounts receivable. Based on its assessment, the Company concluded that there are no collection issues related to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Contract Liabilities

Contract liabilities consists of billings or payments received in advance of revenue recognition and is recognized as the revenue recognition criteria are met. Amounts that have been invoiced are initially recorded in accounts receivable and contract liabilities. The Company invoices its customers in accordance with the terms of the underlying contract. Accordingly, the contract liabilities balance does not represent the total contract value of outstanding arrangements. Contract liabilities that are expected to be recognized during the subsequent 12-month period are recorded as current and the remaining portion as noncurrent. Contract liabilities amounted to $89,000 and $0 at June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Investment Securities

Investment securities consist of equity securities and mutual funds with realized gains and losses recorded using the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses and changes in fair value are recorded as unrealized holding gains or losses in other income (loss), net on the statement of operations. We determine the cost of the investment sold based on an average cost basis at the individual security level, and record the interest income and realized gains or losses on the sale of these investments in other income (loss), net.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (determined on a first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value, and have been reduced by an allowance for excess and obsolete inventories. The estimate is based on management’s review of inventories on hand compared to estimated future usage and sales. Cost of work-in-process and finished goods inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of property and equipment is provided for primarily by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized by the straight-line method over the remaining term of the related lease or the estimated useful lives of the assets, whichever is shorter.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of acquired technology, customer relationships, non-compete agreements, patents, licenses, websites, intellectual property and research and development (“IPR&D”), trademarks and trade names. All intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally 3 to 10 years. The Company continually evaluates the remaining estimated useful lives of intangible assets that are being amortized to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.

Goodwill and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination. Goodwill and long-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of ASC No. 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other” (“ASC No. 350”). ASC No. 350 requires that goodwill be tested for impairment at the reporting unit level (operating segment or one level below an operating segment) on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying value. Application of the goodwill impairment test requires judgment, including the identification of reporting units, assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units, assignment of goodwill to reporting units, and determination of the fair value of each reporting unit. The Company tests goodwill and long-lived assets annually as of June 30, the last day of its fiscal year, unless an event occurs that would cause the Company to believe the value is impaired at an interim date. The Company concluded as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, there was no impairment of goodwill.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company follows the provisions of ASC No. 360-10, “Property, Plant and Equipment - Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“ASC No. 360-10”). ASC No. 360-10 which requires evaluation of the need for an impairment charge relating to long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If an evaluation for impairment is required, the estimated future undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset would be compared to the asset’s carrying amount to determine if a write down to a new depreciable basis is required. If required, an impairment charge is recorded based on an estimate of future discounted cash flows. The Company concluded as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, there was no impairment of long-lived assets.

Income Taxes

The Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. The Company provides for federal, and state income taxes currently payable, as well as for those deferred due to timing differences between reporting income and expenses for financial statement purposes versus tax purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributed to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income 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 of a change in income tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.

Advertising

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense amounted to $218,700 and $207,500 for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and development costs consisting of expenses for activities that are useful in developing and testing new products, as well as expenses that may significantly improve existing products, are expensed as incurred.

Stock Compensation Plan

The Company has a ten-year stock option plan (the “2012 Plan”) which provides for the grant of options to purchase up to 250,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $.05 per share (“Common Stock”), plus up to 57,000 shares under options previously granted under the 2002 Stock Option Plan of the Company (the “Prior Plan”).

The 2012 Plan provides for the granting of incentive or non-incentive stock options as defined in the 2012 Plan and options under the 2012 Plan may be granted until 2022. Incentive stock options may be granted to employees at an exercise price equal to 100% (or 110% if the optionee owns directly or indirectly more than 10% of the outstanding voting stock) of the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of the grant. Non-incentive stock options shall be granted at the fair market value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of grant. At June 30, 2020 and 2019, 147,414 and 20,795 shares respectively, of Common Stock were available for grant of options under the 2012 Plan. The Company has a ten-year stock option plan (the "2012 Plan") which provided for the grant of options to purchase up to 100,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $.05 per share ("Common Stock") and was further amended in January 2020 to increase the number of options to 250,000 shares of common stock.

Stock-based compensation is accounted for in accordance with ASC No. 718 “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (“ASC No. 718”) which requires compensation costs related to stock-based payment transactions to be recognized. With limited exceptions, the amount of compensation cost is measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity or liability instruments issued. In addition, liability awards are measured at each reporting period. Compensation costs are recognized over the period that an employee provides service in exchange for the award. During the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Company granted 25,881 and 6,705 options, respectively, to employees that had a fair value of $144,500 and $12,000, respectively. The fair value of the options granted during the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, were determined using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The weighted average assumptions used for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, was an expected life of 10 years; risk free interest rate of .89%% and 2.44%; volatility of 74% and 35%, and dividend yield of .08% and 1.29%, respectively. The Company declared a dividend of $0.05 per share during the year ended June 30, 2019 and none in 2020. The weighted-average value per share of the options granted during the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, was $5.58 and $1.79, respectively, and total stock-based compensation costs were $65,800 and $46,800 for the years ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Stock-based compensation costs related to nonvested awards expected to be recognized in the future are $113,400 and $38,600 as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are used for, but not limited to, the allowance for doubtful accounts, slow-moving inventory reserves, depreciation and amortization, assumptions made in valuing equity instruments issued for services, and the fair values of intangibles and goodwill. The actual results experienced by the Company may differ materially from management’s estimates.

Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings or loss per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per common share includes the dilutive effect of stock options, if any.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement", which is part of the FASB disclosure framework project to improve the effectiveness of disclosures in the notes to the financial statements. The amendments in the new guidance remove, modify, and add certain disclosure requirements related to fair value measurements covered in Topic 820, "Fair Value Measurement." The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for either the entire standard or only the requirements that modify or eliminate the disclosure requirements, with certain requirements applied prospectively, and all other requirements applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is designed to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. ASU No. 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years; this ASU allows for early adoption in any interim period after issuance of the update. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.

Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases, which replaces previous lease guidance in its entirety with ASC 842 and requires lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for those arrangements classified as operating leases under previous guidance, with the exception of leases with a term of twelve months or less. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02 on July 1, 2019 using the additional transition method, which allows prior periods to be presented under previous lease accounting guidance. Refer to Note 11, "Leases", for related disclosures.