FGCO Financial Gravity Companies Inc (PK)

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Financial Gravity Companies, Inc., and subsidiaries (the “Company”) is headquartered in Austin Texas, with locations in Allen, Texas, Denver, Colorado and Cincinnati, Ohio. The currently operating wholly owned subsidiaries of the Company include:

Sofos Investments, Inc. (“Sofos”). Sofos is a registered investment advisor (“RIA”), registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and provides asset management services to individuals and businesses, including money management, financial planning, and wealth management. Sofos commenced its money management services in late 2019, and by December 2020 had in excess of $100,000,000 in assets under management.

Tax Master Network, LLC, runs the Tax Master Network® (“TMN”) that provides four primary services including monthly subscriptions to the TMN systems, coaching and marketing services. TMN currently supports over 300 Certified Public Accountants (“CPA”) and Enrolled Agent professionals, training them to support clients through tax planning services. TMN has developed the Certified Tax Master® that includes client acquisition and retention systems. TMN also offers tax planning services through the Tax Blueprint®, which includes an extensive individualized review and assessment of the client’s tax situation. The initial assessment sets the requirements for a custom Tax Blueprint® for each client to use as guide to implementation of the identified tax savings strategies. Finally, TMN offers the Tax Operating System, which is a system for integrating and executing tax planning strategies. In addition, TMN will be launching new efforts to increase subscribers, including a revamped tax operating system and financial advisor business development programs that will assist TMN subscribers in increasing their business activity. The goal is to provide TMN subscribers with a platform for them to enhance their business opportunities in the areas of investment and financial advice and to increase their effectiveness as tax advisors to small businesses and individuals.

Tax Master Network, LLC gives CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and other tax professionals a system for marketing, selling, and fulfilling tax-planning engagements. The system rests on two proprietary SAAS-based applications, the Tax Ninja software, which uses non-technical language in written reports introducing clients to tax-saving concepts and strategies; and the Tax Operating System®, which automates implementation of tax strategies. The system also includes: 1) marketing and practice-management tools and resources; 2) access to the Technical Training Center and the Sales Training Center to support members; 3) the monthly Fueled program which promotes personal development education; 4) the weekly Tax Beat client newsletter (a client newsletter); and 6) the Certified Tax Master® designation (which identifies members as offering special training not usually available to clients). TMN membership also includes the Financial Advisor Technical Education (FATE) program, which serves two goals: 1) it helps tax planners do a better job helping clients manage tax exposure in their investment portfolios; and 2) it gives members a proprietary "done for you" path into the investment advisory business.

MPath Advisor Resources, LLC (“MPath”) MPath is an insurance marketing organization and provides insurance products and services to insurance agents or agencies. This is a new venture that will be focused upon insurance marketing and will capture business synergies in the sale of insurance products by financial advisors with TMN and with Forta.

Forta Financial Group, Inc. (“Forta”) is a broker-dealer, a registered investment advisor, and a licensed insurance agent. It primarily operates in Colorado and has independent advisors and representative in other states. Forta will be focused on attracting independent advisors and supporting TMN members as they grow their financial advisory businesses. Forta is implementing plans to recruit independent advisors which will increase revenue. Forta does not hold funds or securities for customers or owe money or securities to customers. Pursuant to Rule 15c3-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Forta is required to maintain minimum net capital of $100,000 and ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital shall not exceed 15 to 1. On December 31, 2020, the Forta’s net capital was $294,485 and the aggregate indebtedness to net capital was 78.72%. The Company is exempt from certain provisions of Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such exemption is in accordance with paragraph (k) (2) (ii) of the Rule.

A summary of the significant accounting polices consistently applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) is as follows.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

Beginning as of May 21, 2020 Forta’s assets and liabilities are included in Company’s assets and liabilities and Forta’s results of operations have been consolidated with Company’s results.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances at financial institutions located throughout the United States, which at times may exceed insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents. Cash does not include restricted cash, including the net capital deposit of approximately $100,000 at First Clearing, which is recorded on the balance sheet with prepaid expenses and other current assets.

Receivables

Trade accounts receivable are carried at the invoiced amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on management’s review of outstanding balances. The collectability of the Company’s accounts receivable is reviewed on an ongoing basis, using historical payment trends and a review of specific accounts. Accounts receivable are written off after all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted and when management determines the amounts to be uncollectible. Recoveries of receivables previously written off are recorded when received. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0 as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, respectively.

In the normal course of business, the Company may extend credit to its customers, on an unsecured basis, substantially all of whom are in the United States of America. The Company does not believe that it is exposed to any significant risk of loss on accounts receivable.

Prepaid Expenses and other current assets

Prepaid expenses consist of expenses the Company has paid for prior to the service or good being provided. These prepaid expenses will be recorded as expense at the time the service has been provided.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to earnings over their estimated service lives by the straight-line method.

Maintenance and repairs are charged to earnings as incurred; major repairs and replacements are capitalized. When items of property or equipment are sold or retired, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in operations.

Proprietary Content

The proprietary content acquired as a part of the TMN purchase has been recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at $525,100, the value attributed to it on the date of the purchase. The proprietary content is being amortized on a straight-line basis over an eight- year estimated life. During each of the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded amortization expense of $16,544 and $16,410 respectively, on this intangible asset, which is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accumulated amortization at December 31, 2020 was $394,049 and $377,505 at September 30, 2020.

Future amortization of proprietary content is estimated to be as follows for the years ended September 30:

Non-compete Agreements

Non-compete agreements entered into as a part of the TMN purchase have been recognized in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at $26,300, the value attributed to such agreements on the date of the purchase. The non-compete agreements are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the five-year term of the non-compete clause of the agreement. During each of the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded amortization expense of $0 and $1,315 respectively on this intangible asset, which is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accumulated amortization was $26,300 at September 30, 2020. This asset is fully depreciated and written off, as of September 30, 2020.

Intellectual Property

The Company accounts for intellectual property in accordance with GAAP and accordingly, intellectual property are stated at cost. Intellectual property with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually. Management has determined that the intellectual property have an indefinite life and do not consider the value of intellectual property recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to be impaired as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the value of the purchase price and related costs over the identifiable assets from business acquisitions. The Company conducts an annual impairment assessment, at the reporting unit level, of its recorded goodwill. The Company assesses qualitative factors in order to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than it is carrying amount. The qualitative factors evaluated by the Company include: macro-economic conditions of the local business environment, overall financial performance, and other entity specific factors as deemed appropriate. If, through this qualitative assessment, the conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than it is carrying amount, a two-step impairment test is performed. Management determined, by assessing the qualitative factors, that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than it carries value. Management does not consider the value of goodwill recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets to be impaired as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

Goodwill consists of the following:

Income Taxes

The Company records federal and state income, which requires an asset and liability approach for financial accounting and reporting for income taxes based on tax effects of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities.

The Company accounts for all uncertain tax positions in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740 – Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties and disclosure related to uncertain income tax positions. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. There was no accrued interest, penalties or uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020.

From time to time, the Company is audited by taxing authorities. These audits could result in proposed assessments of additional taxes. The Company believes that its tax positions comply in all material respects with applicable tax law. However, tax law is subject to interpretation, and interpretations by taxing authorities could be different from those of the Company, which could result in the imposition of additional taxes. The Company’s Federal returns since 2016 are still subject for examination by taxing authorities.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Average number of common shares were 83,618,412 and 41,495,070 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, approximately 3,626,446 common stock equivalents were not added to the diluted average shares because inclusion of such equivalents would be antidilutive. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, approximately 2,161,605 common stock equivalents were not added to the diluted average shares because inclusion of such equivalents would be antidilutive.

Revenue Recognition

The Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”) ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers October 1, 2019 on a modified basis. As the initial adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations, no cumulative effect was recognized at the date of initial application. The Company also had no significant changes to systems, processes, or controls.

The Company derives its revenues primarily from the following activities: Investment Management Fees, Securities Brokerage Commissions, Tax Master Network subscriptions, Tax Operating System subscriptions, Financial Advisor subscriptions, Tax BluePrint sales, and Insurance Sales.

Investment management fees are recognized as services are provided by the Company. Investment management fees include fees earned from assets under management by providing professional services to manage clients’ investments. Fees are generally paid quarterly, in advance, for each quarter or monthly in arrears. Revenues are earned over the period in which the service is provided, which is typically monthly.

The Company generates services income which is recognized when consulting and other professional services are performed by the Company (primarily from TMN and MPath). Income is recognized as services are delivered.

Revenue represents gross billings less discounts, and are net of sales taxes, as applicable. Amounts invoiced for work not yet completed are shown as deferred revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Trade accounts receivable are carried only for investment management fees that are paid in arrears. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $0 and $0 as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

In the normal course of business, the Company extends credit on an unsecured basis to its customers, substantially all of whom are located in the United States of America. The Company does not believe that it is exposed to any significant risk of loss on accounts receivable.

Sofos generates investment management fees for services provided by the Company. Investment management fees include fees earned from assets under management by providing professional services to manage client investments. Revenue is recognized as earned, at the end of each period.

Forta generates commission revenue from the sale of annuities and premiums on life insurance policies held by third parties. The revenue is recognized on a trade date basis for commission revenue and upon acceptance of insurance policies by insurers.

MPath generates revenue from insurance marketing services for insurance agents, including sourcing of insurance policies through selling agreements.

Tax Master Network has five levels of network subscription services that are charged and collected on a month-to-month basis. None of these programs come with a long-term commitment or contract, and there is no up-front payment beyond the monthly subscription fee. Cancellations are processed within the month requested and memberships are closed at the end of the period for which the most recent payment was made. Members are not entitled to refunds for unused memberships. Any subscription fees paid for a future period are deferred in the financial statements. TMN also sells Tax Blueprint®. These are tax planning strategies guides, to save customers taxes through the implementation of the recommended tax strategies. After an initial assessment, the customers pay half of the year one tax savings. A contract liability is recognized when the customer payment is received. Revenue is deferred until the customer reviews and accepts the final Tax Blueprint® document and returns an executed delivery agreement.

The Company received revenue from Sofos’ operations that are primarily from investment management fees, including money management fees. Investment management fees are based upon a percentage of assets under management and totaled $408,473 and $424,326 or the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The Company received revenue from Forta’s operations for the three months ended December 31, 2020 including:

The Company received revenue from TMN’s operations from the following major sources for the three months ended December 31:

The Company received revenue from MPath’s operations from insurance sales of $172,602 and $0 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Advertising and Marketing

Marketing costs are charged to operations when incurred. Marketing expenses were $20,546 and $21,113 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes the fair value of stock-based compensation awards as wages in the accompanying statements of operations for employee grants, commissions for non-employee grants, and stock appreciation rights grants, on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which is based on risk-free rate of 0.59% in the quarter ended December 31, 2020 and 1.49% to 2.55% in 2019, dividend yield of 0%, expected life of 10 years and volatility of 35% to 40% in 2020 and 100% in 2019 respectively. SAR awards are new this year and are being treated as a liability award while the options are being treated as equity awards. While the fair value of the options are based on the Black Scholes assumptions included here, the SAR awards are based on assumptions at period end and are treated as liability awards. Forfeitures are recorded as they occur.”

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Adjustments

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”), pursuant to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the financial position and operating results of the Company as of and for the respective periods. However, these operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full fiscal year or any other future period. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, management of the Company believes, to the best of their knowledge, that the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The Company has determined that there were no subsequent events that would require adjustments to the accompanying consolidated financial statements through the date the financial statements were issued. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, included in its Annual Report on Form 10K.

Going Concern

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the Company will need to manage additional asset units under contract and/or additional financing to fully implement its business plan, including continued growth and establishment of a stronger brand.

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company reported $1,707,677 in revenue, a net loss of $194,360, use of cash of $51,762, and an accumulated deficit of $7,185,150. These operating results raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. The financial statements do not include any adjustments to reflect the possible future effects on the recoverability and classification of assets or the amounts and classification of liabilities that may result from the outcome of these uncertainties.

On May 8, 2020, the Company received a PPP loan in the amount of $283,345. Additionally, on May 15, 2020, Forta received a PPP loan in the amount of $377,700. PPP loans bear a fixed interest rate of 1% over a two-year term, are guaranteed by the federal government, and do not require collateral. The loans may be forgiven, in part or whole, if the proceeds are used to retain and pay employees and for other qualifying expenditures. The Company expects that the full proceeds of the PPP loans will be eligible for forgiveness, which would result in an increase in capital of $661,045.

Company’s plans for expansion include attracting additional clients through marketing efforts with its current and future brokerage, investment management and insurance agent representatives, as well as increasing the TMN membership and the investment advisory activity of the members to increase assets under management and Company’s revenue. Future growth plans will include efforts to increase advisory headcount through recruiting of individuals advisors and groups of advisors. There is no guaranty that the Company will achieve these objectives. 

Future Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 Financial Instruments-Credit Losses, which amends how entities will measure credit losses for most financial assets and certain other instruments that are not measured at fair value through net income, which applies to trade accounts receivable and the calculation of the allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable. The new standard will become effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2019, with early adoption permitted. In November of 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10 Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates, which deferred the effective date of ASU Topic No. 2016-13 to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting guidance will have on the consolidated financial statements. Since the Company currently uses an expected loss from customers method, the Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which provides guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the Step 2 procedure from the goodwill impairment test. The new guidance was effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2020.

We manage our business in four reportable segments. Each of our active subsidiaries is treated as a segment. We evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on a segment’s share of consolidated operating income. Therefore, for instance, the tax unit, Financial Gravity Tax (“FGT”), was sold in October of 2019 because the Company did not see growth potential in the unit’s accounting and direct tax advice operations. Certain growth operations of the tax unit, including the tax operating system, have been taken over by TMN.

CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019

* Includes non-recurring revenue of $150,000 from the sale of the tax unit 

On May 21, 2020 the Company acquired 100% of the stock of Forta. Forta is a broker dealer, registered investment advisor and an insurance brokerage, subject to FINRA, SEC and insurance regulation. Forta’s financial performance is included in Company’s consolidated statements starting as of May 21, 2020.

The Company acquired Forta in May of 2020 in exchange for 45,785,879 shares of Company common stock. A liability of $699,117 has been recorded for 4,178,564 shares of common stock related to the acquisition remaining to be issued as of December 31, 2020. Forta is a broker dealer, and its acquisition presented the Company with an opportunity to compete in the broker dealer market, and to try to grow in this area of financial services. Forta also has key employees who assumed vital executive leadership roles within the Company, including key executives who will focus on improving operations and growth opportunity. Forta also contributed key operating assets, including in excess of $700,000 in cash, and annual revenues in excess of $3,000,000.

Purchase Price Allocation

The purchase price of $7,652,415 was based upon the share price of Company’s stock as of May 21, 2020 and $52,000 note payable. We have used preliminary fair value estimates for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the acquisition. We believe significant synergies may arise from this acquisition, as a result of which the purchase price was in excess of the fair value of the net assets acquired and, as a result, we have preliminarily recorded goodwill of $7,380,603, which is based upon book value, to account for adjustments made. We have not yet finalized estimates that relate to certain tangible and intangible assets, including customer relationships, trade names, contracts. Our estimates and assumptions for these acquisitions are subject to change as we obtain additional information for our estimates during the respective measurement periods (up to one year from the acquisition date).

Depreciation expense was $42,419 and $37,647 during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases, which changed financial reporting as it relates to leasing transactions to recognize a lease liability, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, for the lease term. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10 Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases and ASU No. 2018-11 Leases (Topic 842): Targeted Improvements. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-1 Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases. The Company adopted these ASUs on October 1, 2019 on a modified retrospective basis. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient and did elect the package of practical expedients to not reassess prior conclusions related to contracts containing leases, lease classification and initial direct costs for all leases. The initial adoption of the standard recognized right-of-use assets of $323,097 and lease liabilities of $337,454 on the Company’s statement of financial position with no impact on the Company's results of operations. The Company had no significant changes to processes or controls.

The Company leases their office space through an operating lease in Denver Colorado runs through 2024 and non-material offices leases in Cincinnati, Ohio, and short-term tenancies in Austin, Texas, Allen, Texas and Loveland, Colorado. Company’s lease agreements obligate the Company to pay real estate taxes, insurance, and certain maintenance costs, which are accounted for separately. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company determines if an arrangement is an operating lease at inception. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. All other leases are recorded on the balance sheet as right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for the lease term. Lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term and include options to extend or terminate the lease when they are reasonably certain to be exercised. The present value of lease payments is determined primarily using the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at lease commencement date. The Company’s operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is recorded in general and administrative expenses.

The Company also leases certain equipment under operating leases.

Total rent expense for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $117,344 for Forta’s the Denver Lease (Greenwood Village – the lease ends in May 2024). As part of the lease amendment entered into with the lessor in December 2020, the rent owed for September to December 2020 was deferred and will be paid over the term of the amended lease.” The difference between rental expense and rental payments is recorded as deferred rent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Management expects that in the normal course of business, leases will be renewed or replaced by other leases. Company also has short term leases that are insignificant in its other locations.

Minimum future annual rental payments under non-cancelable operating leases having original terms in excess of one year are as follows:

The Company has a revolving line of credit with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in the amount of $67,500. Amounts drawn under this line of credit are due on demand, and monthly interest and principal payments are required. The interest rate on the line of credit is 9.5%. This line of credit is supported by the personal guarantee of John Pollock. Line of credit balance was $49,145 and $62,019 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, and $54,112 at September 30, 2020.

On April 19, 2019, the Company entered into an unsecured Promissory Note Payable with Charles O’Banon (“O’Banon”), a customer, in the amount of $32,205. The note is in settlement of tax penalties and interest he incurred, that were proximately caused by the Company’s actions. The monthly principal and interest payments are $623, with a balloon payment of $14,048 in April 2022. The note is being repaid over 36 months and bears an interest rate of 6%. The Company has instituted abatement efforts on O’Banon’s behalf, with the taxing authority, however the abatement was denied. The outstanding balance on December 31, 2020 and 2019, was $23,534 and $29,401 respectively.

On August 31, 2020, the Company entered into an agreement with John DuPriest (DuPriest), a former officer of Forta, in settlement pursuant to employment termination. The parties entered into an unsecured promissory note to DuPriest in the amount of $52,000.00, bearing interest of 5%, payable over 26 months beginning with January 15, 2021 through February 15, 2023.

On May 8, 2020, the Company received a Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”) loan in the amount of $283,345. Additionally, on May 15, 2020, Forta received a PPP loan in the amount of $377,700. PPP loans bear a fixed interest rate of 1% over a two-year term, are guaranteed by the federal government, and do not require collateral.

The loans may be forgiven, in part or whole, if the proceeds are used to retain and pay employees and for other qualifying expenditures. The Company expects that the full proceeds of the PPP loans will be eligible for forgiveness, which would result in an increase in capital of $661,045. Forta submitted its forgiveness application to the SBA in December of 2020, and Company is awaiting the SBA’s follow-up on its application for forgiveness.

The Company’s maturities of debt subsequent to December 31, 2020 are as follows:

Accrued expenses increased by $110,835 for the three months ending December 31, 2020 to $1,178,227 from $1,067,392 as of September 30, 2020. Accrued expenses consist of the following at December 31:

For the three months ending December 31, 2020 and 2019, the effective tax rate of 0% varies from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income taxes, net losses, certain nondeductible expenses, changes in the federal statutory rate are from 35% to 21%, and an increase in the valuation allowance associated with the net operating loss carryforwards. Our deferred tax assets related to net operating loss carryforwards remain fully reserved due to uncertainty of utilization of those assets.

A deferred tax liability or asset is determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when these differences reverse. Deferred tax expense or benefit in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations are the result of changes in the assets and liabilities for deferred taxes. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced, if necessary, by the amount for any tax benefits that, based on available evidence, are not expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the current tax payable or refundable for the year plus or minus the net change in the deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes of the Company arise from the temporary differences between financial statement and income tax recognition of NOL carry-forwards.

The deferred tax assets and liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets include the following components at December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020:

From time to time, the Company is a party to or otherwise involved in legal proceedings, claims and other legal matters, arising in the ordinary course of its business or otherwise. It is management’s opinion that there are no legal proceedings the outcome of which will be material to its ability to operate or market its services, its consolidated financial position, operating results or cash flows.

Common Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to 300,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company sold 0 shares and 75,757 for $25,000, respectively.

Effective February 27, 2015, the Company established the 2015 Stock Option Plan (the “Plan”). The Board of Directors of the Company has the authority and discretion to grant stock options. The maximum number of shares of stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of options under the Plan is 9,000,000. Eligible individuals include any employee of the Company or any director, consultant, or other person providing services to the Company. The expiration date and exercise price are as established by the Board of Directors of the Company. No option may be issued under the Plan after February 27, 2018.

Effective November 22, 2016, the Company established the 2016 Stock Option Plan (the “2016 Plan”). The Board of Directors of the Company has the authority and discretion to grant stock options and stock appreciation rights (SARs). The maximum number of shares of stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of options under the 2016 Plan is 20,000,000. Eligible individuals include any employee of the Company or any director, consultant, or other person providing services to the Company. The expiration date and exercise price are as established by the Board of Directors of the Company. No option may be issued under the Plan after ten years from the date of adoption of the 2016 Plan.

Stock option and stock appreciation rights activity is summarized as follows:

* 500,000 SARs grants reflected as expired prior to September 30, 2020 actually expired in the three months ended December 31, 2020.

Unamortized share-based compensation expense as of December 31, 2020 amounted to $424,496 which is expected to be recognized over the next 4.6685 years. 

Total compensation expense, included in salaries and wages, of previously unamortized stock compensation was $60,170 and $7,085 for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019.

On November 27, 2019, the 2016 Plan was amended to allow grants of other equity related rights, including Stock Appreciation Rights. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, 0 and 0 options and SARs were granted, respectively. SARs are recorded as a liability because there is a cash settlement option.

As a result of the acquisition of the TMN business in 2016, the Company is obligated to make payments to TaxTuneup, LLC, which is an entity owned by Edward A. Lyon (a current board member), each month totaling $16,500. The total paid under these agreements in the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 respectively, were $49,500 and $49,500,

On April 12, 2019, the Company entered into a loan agreement with John Pollock, Executive Vice President of the Company. The note bears interest at 2.76% and will be repaid in six equal installments of $2,520, beginning July 1, 2019. The balance of the loan at December 31, 2020 was $5,187 and at September 30, 2020 was $5,152.

In addition, there are payables owed to Mr. Pollock of approximately $51,000 related to services rendered by him to Company, and $10,000 owed to a former principal of TMN for services rendered. There is no specific due date on these obligations, but Company plans are substantial reductions in the amounts owing this fiscal year.

In February of 2021, Forta received a second draw of a PPP Loan in the amount of $422,900. Company believes that the loan will be forgiven.

In December 2020 Company entered into a non-binding term sheet for the acquisition of two related companies with investment advisory practices. The term sheet contemplates that Company will be issuing shares 8,000,000 shares of its common stock in exchange for 100% ownership of the two companies. The owners of the two companies and some staff will become employees of Forta. The term sheet provides for a close of the transaction in February 2021.

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, referred to as COVID-19, was reported to have surfaced in Wuhan, China. Since then, COVID-19 has spread to other countries, including the United States. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. Further, the President of the United States declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency. States in which we operate declared states of emergency related to the spread of COVID-19 and issued executive orders directing individuals to stay at their place of residence for an indefinite period of time.

The financial markets demonstrated significant volatility in reaction to the virus outbreak. There has been considerable strain on companies in many sectors of the economy. Investors suffered significant decreases in the value of their investment portfolios, and the economy has significantly shut down. It is unclear when the economy will start up again, and the lingering effects are not known. During periods of high volatility and uncertainty many investors choose to stop ongoing investment activity and sit on the sidelines until the markets become more stable.

The Company’s revenues are adversely affected when investors reduce their investment activities. In addition, part of Company’s revenues is based upon the value of assets under management. If the investment portfolios of clients decrease in value, the fees charged for investment advice also decreases.

The Company could be affected by lack of access to its offices, although that seems to have had little short-term impact as employees have succeeded in maintaining productivity while working remotely. The long-term effects, however, may present significant issues.

Any significant shutdown of the economy for a sustained period will affect the Company’s revenue which could lead to losses.