Note 8 – Income taxes

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 32.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2020 compared to 11.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The Company’s projected annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory U.S. tax rate of 21% primarily due to the following: (i) tax credits for FICA taxes on certain employees’ tips (ii) taxes owed in foreign jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Canada and Italy; and, (iii) taxes owed in state and local jurisdictions.

The CARES Act includes provisions allowing for the carryback of net operating losses generated for specific periods and technical amendments regarding the expensing of qualified improvement property. The CARES Act also allows for the deferral of the employer-paid portion of social security taxes, which the Company has elected to defer. The Company continues to evaluate the tax-related provisions under the CARES Act.

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and the various states and local jurisdictions in which it operates. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by the federal, state, local and foreign taxing authorities.