Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes

v3.25.0.1
Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes - benefit (expense) consists of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
(In millions)
Current tax expense:
Federal $ (52.7) $ (62.6) $ (93.8)
State and local
 (16.5) (19.7) (20.4)
Total current tax expense
 (69.2) (82.3) (114.2)
Deferred tax benefit:
Federal 23.1  17.1  10.0 
State and local 6.0  1.5  2.7 
Total deferred tax benefit 29.1  18.6  12.7 
Total provision for income taxes - expense $ (40.1) $ (63.7) $ (101.5)
The reconciliation of the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate with our federal and state overall effective income tax rate is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
U.S. statutory federal income tax rate 21.0  % 21.0  % 21.0  %
Effective state income tax rate 5.2  % 6.1  % 7.8  %
Valuation allowance adjustments (0.1) % (0.3) % (0.8) %
Uncertain tax positions 0.6  % 2.2  % (0.1) %
Effect of goodwill impairment and indefinite lived intangible assets (12.1) % 0.0  % 24.9  %
Non-deductible compensation 1.9  % 1.4  % 2.2  %
Other (0.8) % (4.1) % (1.6) %
Effective income tax rate 15.7  % 26.3  % 53.4  %
    
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for tax purposes. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
(In millions)
Deferred tax assets:
Accruals and reserves $ 40.6  $ 40.1 
State net operating loss carryforwards 6.6  6.7 
Basis difference in liabilities related to right-of-use assets 147.7  84.6 
Other 4.4  4.8 
Total deferred tax assets 199.3  136.2 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Basis difference in property and equipment (3.8) (2.5)
Basis difference in goodwill (79.7) (13.2)
Basis difference in right-of-use assets (133.2) (71.3)
Other (2.6) (2.3)
Total deferred tax liabilities (219.3) (89.3)
Valuation allowance (6.2) (6.3)
Net deferred tax asset (liability) $ (26.2) $ 40.6 
Net long-term deferred tax balances were approximately $26.2 million deferred tax liabilities and $40.6 million deferred tax assets at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and are recorded in other long-term liabilities and other assets, respectively, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
We have approximately $150.8 million in gross state net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2025 and 2044. Management reviews these carryforward positions, the time remaining until expiration and other opportunities to realize these carryforwards in making an assessment as to whether it is more likely than not that these carryforwards will be realized. The results of future operations, regulatory framework of the taxing authorities and other related matters cannot be predicted with certainty and, therefore, differences from the assumptions used in the development of management’s judgment could occur. As of December 31, 2024, we had recorded a valuation allowance amount of approximately $6.2 million related to certain state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets as we determined that we would not be able to generate sufficient state taxable income in the related entities to realize the accumulated net operating loss carryforward balances. The decrease from the prior year is primarily due to the additional amount needed for EchoPark net operating losses.
A summary of the changes in the liability related to our unrecognized tax benefits are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
(In millions)
Unrecognized tax benefit liability, January 1 $ 9.3  $ 4.4  $ 4.5 
Increases (decreases) from prior period positions
 (5.6) 5.5  0.5 
Increases (decreases) from current period positions 1.2  (0.5) (0.4)
Lapse of statute of limitations (0.4) (0.1) (0.2)
Unrecognized tax benefit liability, December 31 $ 4.5  $ 9.3  $ 4.4 
Unrecognized tax benefits and associated accrued interest and penalties are included in income tax provision. The liability recognized related to interest and penalties was $1.1 million and $1.4 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Within the next 12 months, no material changes to our unrecognized tax benefits are expected for currently reserved positions.
Sonic and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state jurisdictions. Sonic’s 2021 through 2024 U.S. federal income tax returns remain open to examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service. Sonic’s and its subsidiaries’ state income tax returns remain open to examination by state taxing authorities for years ranging from 2021 to 2024.