For the and months ended the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of and respectively, reflecting an effective tax rate of and respectively. The Tax Cut and Jobs Act of (the “Tax Reform Act”) was enacted on The Tax Reform Act reduced certain federal corporate income tax rates effective and changed certain other provisions. Additionally, differences between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate are related to discrete items for the and months ended including unfavorable tax shortfalls related to stock-based compensation awards, nondeductible meals and entertainment, and research and development credits.

 

As of both and the Company had a remaining valuation allowance of approximately related to state net operating loss carry forwards the Company does expect to utilize. As a result of recording the impact of the Tax Reform Act on its deferred assets and liabilities, the Company recorded an increase in its valuation allowance against state net operating losses carried forward of approximately in the months ended Based on the Company’s analysis and review of long-term forecasts and all available evidence, the Company determined that there should be further change in the valuation allowance for the and months ended

 

The effective tax rate for the months ended is a blended rate reflecting the anticipated benefit of quarters of federal tax rate reductions for fiscal Our months tax expense reflects a lower tax rate and a -time benefit of related to the favorable impact of a revaluation of our net deferred tax liability that decreased the income tax provision for the months ended and reduced long-term deferred tax liabilities during the months ended Additionally, differences between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate are related to nondeductible meals and entertainment, favorable domestic manufacturing deduction and research and development credits.

 

Deferred taxes recognize the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of the assets and liabilities recorded for financial statement purposes and these amounts measured in accordance with tax laws. The Company’s realization of deferred tax temporary differences is contingent upon future taxable earnings. The Company reviewed its deferred tax assets for expected utilization using a “more likely than criteria by assessing the available positive and negative factors surrounding its recoverability.

 

d tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The Company does expect any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next months.