Gross Profit. Gross profit percentage is calculated as net sales less cost of goods sold expressed as a percentage of net sales. Our gross profit percentage for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, was 30.9% compared to 32.2% in fiscal 2021. The decrease in 2022 gross margin is attributed to the increase in freight and demurrage charges caused by global supply chain problems.
Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $5,524,343 in fiscal 2022 from $5,034,380 in fiscal 2021. As a percentage of net sales, these expenses were 28.3% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, and 28.7% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. These expenses decreased as a percentage of net sales as they do not increase in direct proportion to increases in sales. These expenses increased as a dollar amount due primarily due to increases in legal and consulting fees associated with a proposed Merger.
Research and Development. Research and development expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, was $438,200. Research and development expense for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, was $471,545. The decrease in overall research and development expense for the 2022 period compared to the 2021 period was due to decreased independent testing of products.
Interest Expense (Net). For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, and 2021, the Company incurred net interest expense of $147,840 and $86,841, respectively, related to borrowing costs associated with interest paid on amounts borrowed from our factor and on extended trade payables due to Eyston. The increase in interest expense resulted from increased borrowing from our factor during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, to fund inventory purchases and operating cash requirements.
Income Taxes. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, and 2021 our statutory Federal tax rate was 21.0%. The Company has accumulated net operating losses and other income tax credits for which a full valuation allowance has been established. Accordingly, income taxes or deferred income tax benefits indicated by the provision for income taxes as shown on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, and 2021 varies from the expected statutory rate. Footnote F to the financial statements provides a reconciliation of the amount of tax that would be expected at statutory rates and the amount of tax expense or benefit provided at the effective rate of tax for each fiscal period.
Net (Loss) Income. We reported a net loss of $78,150 for the fiscal year 2022, compared to net income of $268,343 for fiscal 2021, a decrease of $346,493 (129.1%) in net income. The net loss for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, is attributed to decreased gross margins arising from increases in freight, customs, and duty expenditures. In addition, the Company has incurred increased legal and consulting expense associated with a proposed Merger.
Also, contributing to net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, is the forgiveness of $221,400 of debt related to the Paycheck Protection Program under the CARES Act.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company reported a net loss of $78,150 and net income of $268,343 for the years ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of March 31, 2022, working capital (computed as the excess of current assets over current liabilities) decreased by $1,112,654 from $5,564,601 on March 31, 2021, to $4,451,947 on March 31, 2022.
Our operating activities used cash of $1,860,051 for the year ended March 31, 2022. Operating activities used cash principally to increase trade accounts receivable and amounts due from factor of $1,506,650, to increase inventories by $1,977,868, a net loss of $78,150, and is partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1,669,566, and a decrease in prepaid expenses of $95,357.
Our operating activities provided cash of $1,388,172 for the year ended March 31, 2021. Operating activities provided cash principally from a decrease in inventories of $942,766, an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $751,252, net income of $268,343, plus non-cash depreciation of an operating lease asset of $158,576, and an increase in the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable of $100,000. Operating activities used cash principally from an increase in prepaid expenses of $223,554, a decrease in the operating lease liability of $158,576, an increase in accounts receivable and amounts due from factor of $236,930, less non-cash forgiveness of $221,400 from the Paycheck Protection Program Loan under the CARES Act.
Our investing activities did not provide or use cash during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2022, or 2021.