11. INCOME TAX

[a] On August 2, 2017, OncoGenex completed a reverse takeover with Achieve. OncoGenex changed its name to Achieve Life Sciences, Inc. We are a Delaware incorporated company subject to blended US Federal and state statutory rates for December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 of 34%, 34% and 34%, respectively. For the purposes of estimating the tax rate in effect at the time that deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to reverse, management uses the furthest out available future tax rate in the applicable jurisdictions.

Income tax expense consisted of the following (in thousands):

[b] At December 31, 2017, we have investment tax credits of $2.6 million (2016—$2.6 million) available to reduce future Canadian income taxes otherwise payable. We also have non-capital loss carryforwards of $120.4 million (2016—$115.9 million) available to offset future taxable income in Canada, UK net operating loss carryforwards of $0.8 million (2016—$0.2 million) to offset future taxable income in the UK and federal net operating loss carryforwards of $9.9 million (2016—$1.3 million) to offset future taxable income in the United States.

The investment tax credits and non-capital losses and net operating losses for income tax purposes expire as follows (in thousands):

In addition, we have unclaimed tax deductions of approximately $15.5 million related to scientific research and experimental development expenditures available to carry forward indefinitely to reduce Canadian taxable income of future years. We also have research and development tax credits of $19,000 available to reduce future taxes payable in the United States. The research and development tax credits expire between 2018 and 2037.

[c] Significant components of our deferred tax assets as of December 31 are shown below (in thousands):

The potential income tax benefits relating to these deferred tax assets have not been recognized in the accounts as their realization did not meet the requirements of “more likely than not” under the liability method of tax allocation. Accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded and no deferred tax assets have been recognized in all jurisdictions as at December 31, 2017 and in the UK as of December 31, 2016.

[d] Under ASC 740, the benefit of an uncertain tax position that is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No portion of the benefit of an uncertain tax position may be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.

A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits of uncertain tax positions for the year ended December 31, 2017 is as follows (in thousands):

As of December 31, 2017, unrecognized benefits of approximately $0.7 million, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate, and would reduce our deferred tax assets.

Our accounting policy is to treat interest and penalties relating to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income taxes. As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 we had no accrued interest and penalties related to income taxes.

We are subject to taxes in Canada, the UK and the U.S. until the applicable statute of limitations expires. Tax audits by their very nature are often complex and can require several years to complete.

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act makes broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to,

(1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 34 percent to 21 percent;
(2) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax;
(3) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; and
(4) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carryforwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. 

As a result of when the Act was signed into law, our deferred tax assets and liabilities were required to be remeasured using the lower 21% federal rate as of December 31, 2017.