INCOME TAXES

We file Federal, New York State and California State income tax returns.  Due to net operating losses, the statute of limitations remains open since the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997.   We account for interest and penalties related to income tax matters, if any, in marketing, general and administrative expenses. There are no unrecognized income tax benefits as of January 31, 2015 and October 31, 2014.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the estimated future tax effects of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.  A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. We have substantial net operating loss carryforwards in all jurisdictions where we are subject to tax. We have provided a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax asset due to our historical pre-tax losses and the uncertainty regarding the realizability of these deferred tax assets.

On December 29, 2014, we reached a Settlement Agreement resulting in our receipt of an aggregate of $9,000,000 in settlement of a dispute (Note 2).  As a result we realized taxable income during the quarter and expect to do so during the full fiscal year.  We expect any taxable income realized for the full fiscal year will be completely offset by our net operating loss carryforwards, resulting in no tax currently due in any jurisdiction.  Accordingly, we have not recorded a tax provision for the quarter anticipating a partial release of the valuation reserve recorded against our deferred tax assets to the extent of the net operating loss carryforwards actually used for the full fiscal year.