NOTE 8 - INCOME TAX

Realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain. Accordingly, the net deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $4,450,800 for the period ended December 31, 2025.

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill was enacted (“OBBBA”), introducing significant and wide-ranging changes to the U.S. federal tax system. Significant components include restoration of 100% accelerated tax depreciation on qualifying property including expansion to cover qualified production property. Another major aspect includes the return to immediate expensing of domestic research and experimental expenditures (“R&E”) which in some cases may include retroactive application back to 2021 for businesses with gross receipts of less than $31 million or accelerated tax deductions of R&E that was previously capitalized for larger businesses. The legislation also reinstates EBITDA-based interest deductions for tax purposes and makes several business tax incentives permanent. Less favorable business provisions include limitations on tax deductions for charitable contributions.

The OBBBA modified the U.S. International Tax provisions for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”), Foreign-Derived Intangible Income (“FDII”), and the Base-erosion Anti-abuse Tax (“BEAT”) effective for tax years starting after December 31, 2025. The tax rate on GILTI, now renamed to Net CFC Tested Income (“NCTI”), is now 12.6%. The FDII rules, now renamed to Foreign Derived Deduction Eligible Income (“FDDEI”), now carry a 14% tax rate on FDDEI eligible income. The OBBB Act increases the BEAT rate from 10% to 10.5%.

As of December 31, 2025, the Company had federal and state net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of approximately $46.9 million and $18.4 million respectively. Federal net operating loss carryforwards in the amount of $2.4 million begin expiring in 2035. Federal net operating loss carryforwards in the amount of $44.5 million have an indefinite life. Federal NOL carryforwards generated after tax year 2021 are subject to an 80% limitation on taxable income, do not expire and will carryforward indefinitely. State net operating loss carryforwards in the amount of $18.4 million begin expiring in 2035 and approximately $0.0 thousand have an indefinite life.

The Company has federal R&D credit carryforwards of approximately $1,417,700 which will begin to expire in 2041 and California R&D credit carryforwards of approximately $646,400 which do not expire.

The utilization of the Company’s net operating losses may be subject to a U.S. federal limitation due to the “change in ownership provisions” under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code and other similar limitations in various state jurisdictions. Such limitations may result in a reduction of the amount of net operating loss carryforwards in future years and possibly the expiration of certain net operating loss carryforwards before their utilization.

The Company files tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examinations by federal, state and local jurisdictions, where applicable. There are currently no pending tax examinations. The Company’s tax years are still open under statute from inception to the present in the U.S. To the extent the Company has tax attribute carryforwards, the tax years in which the attribute was generated may still be adjusted upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state and local tax authorities to the extent utilized in a future period.

As required by the uncertain tax position guidance in ASC No. 740, Income Tax the Company recognizes the financial statement benefit of a tax position only after determining that the relevant tax authority would more likely than not sustain the position following an audit. For tax positions meeting the more-likely-than-not threshold, the amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant tax authority. The Company applied the uncertain tax position guidance in ASC No. 740, Accounting for Income to all tax positions for which the statute of limitations remained open. Any estimates of tax contingencies contain assumptions and judgments about potential actions by taxing jurisdictions. Any interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions would be included as part of the income tax provision. As of the December 31, 2025, the Company had no interest related to unrecognized tax benefits. No amounts of penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were recognized in the provision for income taxes.

The Company’s conclusions regarding uncertain tax positions may be subject to review and adjustment at a later date based upon ongoing analysis of or changes in tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof as well as other factors.