10. INCOME TAXES

For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, income tax expense computed at the federal statutory income tax rate of 21% differed from the recorded amount of income tax expense due primarily to state income taxes and permanent differences.

A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective tax rate is as follows:

The income tax (benefit) expense is as follows:

The tax effects of the primary temporary differences included in net deferred tax assets and liabilities are shown in the following table:

As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company maintained a valuation allowance of $81,860 and $59,099, respectively. The valuation allowance was recorded due to the fact that the Company has incurred operating losses to date and is unable to forecast when such deferred tax assets will be utilized. There was no other activity in the valuation allowance accounting during 2021 and 2020.

Realization of 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 $22,761 and $7,566 during the twelve months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively.

Total U.S. federal and state operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2021 and 2020 were approximately $517,700 and $377,300, respectively. U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2033, and state operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2027. U.S. Federal net operating losses of approximately $248,600 carry forward indefinitely.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s federal research and development credit carryforwards for income tax purposes were approximately $1,200. If not used, the current carryforwards will expire beginning in 2034.

The Company primarily files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and various states. The Company’s U.S. federal returns and state returns are no longer subject to income tax examinations for taxable years before 2018.

The Company has performed a review to determine whether the future utilization of net operating loss and credit carryforwards will be restricted due to ownership changes that have occurred. The study determined that there will be no utilization limit after December 31, 2025. The review did not consider whether the future utilization of net operating loss and credit carryforwards will be restricted under IRC sections 382 and 383 due to ownership changes that occurred in the MALKA acquisition. However, based on the value of the Company at the date of change, the Company believes that there would not be a limitation triggered by the ownership change and therefore would not result in any adjustment to the deferred tax assets. Due to the net operating loss carryforwards, the statute of limitations remains open for federal and state returns.