Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Income Taxes

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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES
The Company files a consolidated federal income tax return based on a June 30th tax year end. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 consists of the following:
in thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
 
Federal
 
 
$
3,052

 
$
680

 
State and local
 
 
260

 
98

 
Provision for income taxes
 
 
$
3,312

 
$
778

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:
in thousands
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
September 30, 2015
 
September 30, 2014
Effective tax rate
 
38.2
%
 
40.6
%

The Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates, to determine its quarterly provision for income taxes. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter. The effective tax rate varies significantly from the federal statutory rate due to permanent adjustments for nondeductible items and state taxes.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. During the three months ended September 30, 2015, management concluded that with the exception of certain state net operating losses, it was more likely than not that the Company would be able to realize the benefit of the U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets in the future. We based this conclusion on historical and projected operating performance, as well as our expectation that our operations will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to realize the tax benefits associated with the deferred tax assets. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of valuation allowance for its realizability of deferred tax assets. The Company will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance in the future by evaluating both positive and negative evidence that may exist.
The Company's condensed consolidated financial statements recognized the current and deferred income tax consequences that result from the Company's activities during the current and preceding periods, as if the Company were a separate taxpayer during the period prior to the Distribution rather than a member of the Former Parent's consolidated income tax return group. Current tax receivable from Former Parent reflects balances due from the Former Parent to A-Mark for its share of the income tax assets of the group. Income taxes receivable represents amounts paid to federal and state jurisdictions due to taxable income generated following the close of the transaction.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company has state and city net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $16.0 million, which expire beginning with the year ending June 30, 2030. The tax effect of the state and city net operating loss carryforwards included in the Company's deferred tax assets is $16.0 million. Due to limitations on the ability to use certain state and city net operating loss carryforwards, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance of $0.1 million against these assets as the Company believes that it is not more likely than not that they will realize the benefit of these carryforwards.
As of September 30, 2015, the Company had $243,000 of unrecognized tax benefits and $105,000 of liabilities for interest expense related to uncertain tax positions. Of the total unrecognized tax benefits, $243,000 would reduce the Company's effective tax rate, if recognized. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company recognized approximately $5,000 of interest expense and $0 of interest expense related to uncertain tax positions, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had no additional accruals for tax penalties.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various states. Prior to the Distribution, the Company was included in the consolidated federal and state tax filing of the Former Parent. The Former Parent has been under examination by the IRS for the years ended June 30, 2004 through 2013; however, during the year ended June 30, 2015, the Former Parent was notified that it had successfully resolved the June 30, 2004 through June 30, 2007 tax years. As a result of the IRS exam, the Former Parent amended the state tax filings for the applicable periods. The amended state tax filings resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $0.6 million related to state net operating loss apportioned to the Company under intrastate apportionment rules. The Former Parent remains in appeals with the IRS for the years ended June 30, 2008 through 2013 and in examination with other taxing jurisdictions on certain tax matters, including challenges to certain positions the Former Parent has taken. The Former Parent is unable to determine the outcome of these audits at this time. With few exceptions, either prior federal, state or local examinations have been completed by the tax authorities or the statute of limitations have expired for U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns filed by the Former Parent for the years through 2003.
In connection with the spinoff, the Company entered into a tax separation agreement with SGI (the "Tax Separation Agreement").  The Tax Separation Agreement governs the respective rights, responsibilities and obligations of SGI and us with respect to, among other things, liabilities for U.S. federal, state, local and other taxes. In addition to the allocation of tax liabilities, the Tax Separation Agreement addresses the preparation and filing of tax returns for such taxes and disputes with taxing authorities regarding such taxes. Pursuant to the Tax Separation Agreement, A-Mark may be responsible for any tax amount related to A-Mark that is incurred as the result of adjustments made during the Internal Revenue Service examination or other tax jurisdictions' examinations of the Former Parent. Under the terms of the Tax Separation Agreement, SGI will have the responsibility to prepare and file tax returns for tax periods ending prior to the Distribution date and for tax periods which include the Distribution date but end after the Distribution date, which will include A-Mark and its subsidiaries.
These tax returns will be prepared on a basis consistent with past practices. The Company will cooperate in the preparation of these tax returns and have an opportunity to review and comment on these returns prior to filing. A-Mark will pay all taxes attributable to A-Mark and its subsidiaries, and will be entitled to any refund with respect to taxes it has paid.
The amounts receivable under the Company's income tax sharing obligation due from SGI totaled $1.1 million, and $1.1 million as of September 30, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively, and is shown on the face of the condensed consolidated balance sheets as income taxes receivable from Former Parent. Based on the terms to the Tax Separation Agreement, payment is due to the Company after SGI files its tax return and is in receipt of its tax refund from the IRS. Furthermore, pursuant to the terms of the Tax Separation Agreement, the Company has been allocated approximately $15.7 million of state net operating losses. These net operating losses resulted in a deferred tax asset of $0.5 million.