Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
Income taxes
Income tax expense was $60,800 and $90,620 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2021, the deferred tax asset was $663,820. Management considered new evidence, both positive and negative, during the first quarter of 2022 that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets and determined that no valuation allowance was necessary, and the deferred tax asset was $607,820 at March 31, 2022.
Income applicable to common stock
Income applicable to common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, was $384,401 and $646,547, respectively. The income applicable to common stock was higher for the three months ended March 31, 2021 due to the $325,300 gain on extinguishment of debt from the forgiveness of the PPP Loan and $255,507 related to the ERC previously discussed.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
As of March 31, 2022, cash on hand was $4,646,475 compared to $4,140,942 at December 31, 2021.
Working capital
At March 31, 2022 working capital was $4,362,715 compared to $3,907,135 at December 31, 2021, an increase of $455,580 or 11.7%. Cash increased $505,533, receivables increased $232,092, inventories increased $190,502, and accounts payable increased $94,916, while prepaid expenses decreased $476,202.
Cash from operations
Net cash provided by operating activities was $603,992 and $452,394 during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. In addition to the net income generated, this included depreciation and amortization of $124,077 and $135,313, and non-cash stock-based compensation costs of $23,299 and $21,888 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Prepaid expenses decreased $476,202 and was related to the receipt of inventory paid for in December 2021 and received in January 2022. Inventories increased $190,502 due to orders received late in 2021 and during the first quarter of 2022.
Cash from investing activities
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, $79,842 was used in investing activities for the purchase of production equipment. Cash of $319,578 was used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2021, for the acquisition of production equipment.
Cash from financing activities
Cash of $23,783 and $43,454 was used in financing activities for principal payments to third parties for finance lease obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The decrease was due to the conclusion and final payments of multiple finance leases during 2021.
Debt outstanding
Total debt outstanding was $219,435 at March 31, 2022, compared to $243,218 at December 31, 2021, a decrease of 9.8%. As previously mentioned, cash of $23,783 was used for principal payments for finance lease obligations.