16.         OTHER INCOME – EMPLOYEE RETENTION CREDIT

During the three and six months ended February 28, 2025, the Company received $1,139,756 in cash as a result of Employee Retention Credits (ERC), which are refundable tax credits against certain employment taxes initially made available under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The ERC was received in cash and was claimed under the suspension test criteria based on the Company’s determination that it met the eligibility requirements. In accordance with the Company’s accounting policy, the ERC payments have been recognized as Other Income in the period in which the cash was received, as the Company determined that all relevant criteria for recognition had been met. The ERC represents a one-time benefit and does not constitute recurring operational revenue.

Additionally, the Company earned $181,529 in interest income related to the ERC payments, which was recorded as Interest Income during the three and six months ended February 28, 2025. The ERC payments of $1,139,756 are recorded as Other Income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations, while the interest income of $181,529 is recorded separately under Interest Income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2025.

No ERC income or related interest income was recognized during the three and six months ended February 28, 2026.