Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (continued)
Income taxes
Income tax expense was $167,375 and $200,189 for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively, and $311,575 and $338,282 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively. At December 31, 2021, the deferred tax asset was $663,820. As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its view of the future realization of deferred tax assets. Accordingly, management determined that no valuation allowance was necessary, and the deferred tax asset was $375,820 at September 30, 2022.
Income applicable to common stock
Income applicable to common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, was $442,703 and $662,644, respectively. The third quarter of 2021 included the ERC of $153,713 which reduced overall expenses. Income applicable to common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, was $1,491,977 and $1,424,701, respectively. The increase was primarily the result of higher revenue and gross profit. Included in the first nine months of 2021 was the ERC which reduced overall expenses by $560,921.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash
As of September 30, 2022, cash on hand was $5,614,257 compared to $4,140,942 at December 31, 2021. The increase was principally due to record total revenue and higher gross profit for the first nine months of 2022.
Working capital
At September 30, 2022 working capital was $5,443,552 compared to $3,907,135 at December 31, 2021, an increase of $1,536,417 or 39.3%. Cash increased $1,473,315, inventories increased $379,370, accounts payable increased $256,365 and receivables increased $156,805 while prepaid expenses decreased $586,565, and customer deposits decreased $442,378.
Cash from operations
Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, was $2,051,679 and $1,780,698 for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. In addition to the net income generated, this included depreciation and amortization of $308,791 and $329,104, and noncash stock-based compensation costs of $40,642 and $39,233 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and 2021, respectively.
The decrease in prepaid expenses was related to the receipt of inventory paid for in December 2021 and received in January 2022. Inventories and accounts payable increased due to orders received during the third quarter and throughout the first nine months of 2022. Customer orders remain strong, and deposits are lower as customers have monitored inventory more closely with continued emphasis on intra-quarter shipments.
Cash from investing activities
Cash of $511,399 and $615,088 was used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2022, and September 30, 2021, respectively, for the acquisition of production equipment. This included a vacuum hot press that enables production of higher temperature materials with increased capacity. It was purchased and installed for approximately $500,000. A deposit of $220,075 was paid in the first quarter of 2021 for this vacuum hot press and the remaining amount was paid in cash during the third quarter of 2022.