Company: AEHR
Filing Date: 2025-07-28
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001654954-25-008553
Chunk: 409

Company: AEHR TEST SYSTEMS
Filing Date: 2025-07-28
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 3
Chunk 409
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We sell our products primarily through a direct sales force. In certain international markets, we sell our products through independent distributors.

Inventory Valuation

We write down the carrying value of our inventory to net realizable value for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. We assess the valuation of all inventories, including raw materials, work-in-process, finished goods and spare parts on a periodic basis.

Obsolete inventory or inventory in excess of our estimated usage is written down to its estimated market value less costs to sell, if less than its cost. The inventory write-downs are established on the basis of obsolete inventory or specifically identified inventory in excess of established usage. Inherent in our estimates of demand and market value in determining inventory valuation are estimates related to economic trends, market conditions, and future demand for our products. If actual demand and market conditions are less favorable than our projections, additional inventory write-downs may be required. If the inventory value is written down to its net realizable value, and subsequently there is an increased demand for the inventory at a higher value, the increased value of the inventory is not realized until the inventory is sold either as a component of a system or as separate inventory.

Income Taxes

The determination of our tax provision is highly dependent upon the geographic composition of worldwide earnings and tax regulations governing each region and is subject to judgments and estimates. Management carefully monitors the changes in many factors and adjusts the effective tax rate as required. 

We assess the likelihood that we are able to recover our deferred tax assets. If recovery is not more likely than not, we increase our provision for taxes by recording a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be recoverable. In determining whether the realization of these deferred tax assets is impaired, we make judgments with respect to whether we are likely to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize these assets. In order to reverse the valuation allowance, management considers both positive and negative evidence and determines that there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. In fiscal 2024, we released the entire valuation allowance which contributed to the tax benefit of approximately $20.7 million for the year ended May 31, 2024.

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Business Combination

Accounting for business combinations requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions to determine the fair