Note 3. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for an interim period is based on an estimated annual effective income tax rate applied to ordinary year-to-date earnings or losses. The estimated annual effective income tax rate is determined excluding the effects of unusual or significant one-time items that are reported net of the related tax effects in the period in which they occur. In addition, any material effects of enacted tax law or rate changes as well as the Company’s ability to utilize various tax assets is recognized in the period in which the change occurs.

The computation of the estimated annual effective income tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected pre-tax income (or loss) for the year by jurisdiction, certain book to tax adjustments, and the likelihood of the realizability of deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The estimates used to compute the provision or benefit for income taxes may change as new events occur, additional information is obtained or as the Company’s tax environment changes.

The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended October 29, 2022 was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income derived from foreign operations with lower statutory tax rates and research deductions claimed in foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by non-deductible expenses. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended October 30, 2021 was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to income derived from foreign operations with lower statutory tax rates.

The Company’s gross unrecognized income tax benefits were $5.2 million and $5.1 million as of October 29, 2022 and April 30, 2022, respectively. If any portion of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits is recognized, it would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The unrecognized tax benefits are reviewed periodically and adjusted for changing facts and circumstances, such as tax audits, the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitations and changes in tax law. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax uncertainties in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties were $0.3 million and $0.2 million as of October 29, 2022 and April 30, 2022, respectively.

On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was enacted in the United States. The IR Act imposes a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchases made by covered corporations after December 31, 2022. The total taxable value of shares repurchased is reduced by the fair market value of any newly issued shares during the taxable year. The Company is assessing the potential impact of the stock repurchase excise tax, but based on its preliminary assessment, the Company does not expect a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. Further, the remaining corporate tax changes included in the IR Act are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.