Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Note 6 - Income Taxes

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Note 6 - Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 29, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

6.

Income taxes


During the three months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively, the Company recorded a net income tax expense of $260 and $402, primarily related to minimum taxes and taxes on profits in certain jurisdictions, combined with foreign exchange revaluation. During the six months ended June 29, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively, the Company recorded a net income tax expense of $443 and $830, primarily related to minimum taxes and taxes on profits in certain jurisdictions, combined with foreign exchange revaluation.


At December 29, 2013, the Company had total net operating loss carry forwards of $88.2 million, of which $10.2 million will expire in 2014, $4.1 million will expire in 2015, $1.1 million will expire in 2018, $20.6 million will expire in 2023, $3.4 million will expire in 2026, $0.5 million will expire in 2027, $4.3 million will expire in 2028, and the remainder will expire between 2029 and 2033.


At June 29, 2014 and December 29, 2013, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $257 and $274, respectively, which if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate in future periods. The change during the period relates to foreign exchange revaluation of existing uncertain tax positions. The Company does not expect any of these unrecognized tax benefits to reverse in the next twelve months.


Tax years 2009 to 2013 remain open for review by the tax authorities in Canada, United States and Mexico.


The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense based on the likelihood of the event and its ability to reasonably estimate such amounts. The Company has approximately $83 and $73 accrued for interest and penalties as of June 29, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively. The change is primarily due to the recording of incremental interest on existing uncertain positions for the period net of foreign exchange revaluation.


In assessing the realization of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, change of control limitations, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Guidance under ASC 740, Income Taxes, (“ASC 740”) states that forming a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed is difficult when there is negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years in the jurisdictions to which the deferred tax assets relate. In years 2010 through to 2012, it was determined by management that it was more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets associated with the U.S. jurisdiction would be realized and as such, no valuation allowance was recorded against these deferred tax assets. In 2013, it was determined by management that a partial valuation allowance was required to be recorded against certain deferred tax assets associated with the U.S. jurisdiction as it was not more likely than not to be realized. The Canadian jurisdiction continues to have a full valuation allowance recorded against the deferred tax assets.