Income Taxes |
9 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2021 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Income Taxes |
NOTE 13. INCOME TAXES We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for future tax consequences attributable to differences between our consolidated financial statement carrying amount of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. We measure these deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to reverse. We recognize the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from a change in tax rates in income in the period that includes the date of the change. The adoption of ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” 2019-12”) in the current year did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. At December 31, 2020, we had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $135.3 million that expire in years 2021 through 2038 and for state income tax purposes of approximately $610.8 million that expire in years 2021 through 2040. As a result of our adjusted cumulative three-year pre-tax book loss as of December 31, 2020, we performed an assessment of positive and negative evidence with respect to the realization of our net deferred tax assets. This assessment included the evaluation of scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, the availability of carryforwards and estimates of projected future taxable income. The economic uncertainty from the COVID-19 pandemic provided additional negative evidence that outweighed positive evidence resulting in our conclusion that additional deferred tax assets of $35.1 million related to federal and state net operating loss carryforwards are more likely than not to be not realized. As such, an additional valuation allowance of $35.1 million was recorded, for a total valuation allowance of $48.1 million as of the year ended December 31, 2020. During the interim period ended September 30, 2021, we computed the income tax provision using the estimated effective annual rate applicable for the full year. We updated our forecast to project income for the 2021 calendar year. In accordance with the guidance under FASB ASC Topic 740-270-25-4, The effective tax rate differs from our statutory rate as a result of the forecasted change in the valuation allowance against expected operating income, permanently disallowed expenses, PPP loan forgiveness, state tax and changes to the deferred tax liability for amortization of indefinite-lived intangible assets. Given that we have a valuation allowance placed on our net operating losses, and as part of our annual effective tax rate exercise, we estimate annual taxable income for purposes of determining the utilization of the operating loss carryforwards resulting in a tax benefit recognized in the overall annual effective tax rate. We recognized a favorable tax adjustment attributable to the GAAP income recognition of the PPP loan forgiveness within the quarter as a discrete adjustment for both federal and state jurisdictions where applicable given its unusual and infrequent nature. During the quarter ended September 30, 2021, we refinanced $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes by exchanging $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes into $114.7 million of newly issued 2028 Notes, incurring third-party debt modification costs during the quarter. For tax purposes, we considered these debt modification costs in our operating loss utilization analysis. The amortization of our indefinite-lived intangible assets for tax purposes, but not for book purposes, creates deferred tax liabilities. A reversal of deferred tax liabilities may occur when indefinite-lived intangibles: (1) become impaired; or (2) are sold, which would typically only occur in connection with the sale of the assets of a station or groups of stations or the entire company in a taxable transaction. Due to the amortization for tax purposes and not book purposes of our indefinite-lived intangible assets, we expect to continue to generate deferred tax liabilities in future periods exclusive of any impairment losses in future periods. These deferred tax liabilities and net operating loss carryforwards result in differences between our provision for income tax and cash paid for taxes. We review and reevaluate uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. Changes in assumptions may result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision. Valuation Allowance (Deferred Taxes) For financial reporting purposes, we recorded a valuation allowance of $28.4 million as of December 31, 2020 to offset $28.4 million of the deferred tax assets related to the federal net operating loss carryforwards, and $19.7 million of the deferred tax assets related to state net operating loss carryforwards of $15.7 million and other financial statement accrual assets of $4.0 million, for a total valuation allowance of $48.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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