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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
10. Income Taxes
     Current income taxes payable of $408,000 and $1,276,000 at July 31, 2011 and January 31, 2011, respectively, consists entirely of foreign taxes.
     The Company and its subsidiaries file consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and in foreign jurisdictions. The Company is subject to United States federal income tax examinations for all tax years beginning with its fiscal year ended January 31, 2008. In connection with the refund request resulting from a net operating loss carryback, the Company’s United States federal income tax returns for the years ended January 31, 2009 and 2010 were reviewed by the IRS. The result of this review was a decrease in taxable income of approximately $370,000, which resulted in an additional refund of $66,000 and an alternative minimum tax credit carryforward of $54,000.
     The Company is subject to examination by taxing authorities throughout the world, including foreign jurisdictions such as Australia, Canada, Colombia, Peru, Russia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom. With few exceptions, the Company and its subsidiaries are no longer subject to foreign income tax examinations for tax years before 2003. With respect to ongoing audits, the Company’s Canadian income tax returns for the years ended January 31, 2004, 2005 and 2006 have been examined by Canadian tax authorities. Assessments for those years and for the effect of certain matters in subsequent years totaling approximately $8,600,000 including penalties and interest, have been issued. The issues involved relate primarily to the deductibility of depreciation charges and whether those deductions should be taken in Canada or in the United States. Accordingly, the Company has filed requests for competent authority assistance with the Canadian Revenue Agency (“CRA”) and with the IRS seeking to avoid potential double taxation. In addition, the Company has filed a protest with the CRA and the Province of Alberta. In connection with this protest, the Company has been required to make prepayments totaling approximately $3,400,000 against the assessment.
     The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to uncertain tax positions, amounts accrued will be reduced and reflected as reductions in income tax expense.
     The effect of any uncertain tax positions for which resolution is reasonably possible within the next twelve months is not material.