NOTE 13. INCOME TAXES

The components of the provision consist of the following for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

The income tax provision differs from that computed at the federal statutory corporate income tax rate as follows for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

The tax effects of significant temporary differences representing net deferred tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following at December 31, 2018 and 2017:

In accordance with ASC 740, we considered the need for a valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets at December 31, 2018 and determined that, based upon available evidence, it is more likely than not that certain of our deferred tax assets will be realized and, as such, have not recorded any valuation allowance.  

The aggregate changes in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits (included as part of accrued expenses in the accompanying financial statements), which excludes interest and penalties, are as follows as of and for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:

Our total liability for unrecognized gross tax benefits was $29,124 as of December 31, 2018, which, if ultimately recognized, would impact the effective tax rate in future periods. We are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for fiscal years 2015 and thereafter.  For states within the U.S. in which we conduct significant business, we generally remain subject to examination for fiscal years 2015 and thereafter, unless extended for longer periods under state laws. We have no accrual for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2018 and 2017, and did not recognize interest or penalties in the statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 as such amounts would be immaterial, if any.

As of December 31, 2018, we expected to use our foreign tax credits of $76,125 to offset federal income tax owed in 2018.