Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

L. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

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L. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
NOTE L - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Office Lease Obligations

 

In October 2013, the Company entered into a lease agreement for 6,362 square feet of commercial office space in Waukesha, Wisconsin for its corporate headquarters. The Waukesha lease expires in April 2021.

 

The Company presently leases approximately 14,000 square feet of office space in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for its operations facility. The Milwaukee lease expires in March 2020.

 

The Company presently leases 16,416 square feet of commercial office space in Germantown, Maryland. The lease commitments expire in December 2015. On July 15, 2011, Telkonet executed a sublease agreement for 11,626 square feet of the office space in Germantown, Maryland. The subtenant received one month rent abatement and had the option to extend the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015. On June 27, 2012 the subtenant exercised the option to extend the expiration of the term of the sublease from January 31, 2013 to December 31, 2015.

 

Commitments for minimum rentals under non-cancelable leases at March 31, 2015 are as follows:

 

2015 (remainder of)   $ 376,649  
2016     245,274  
2017     251,740  
2018     258,381  
2019     265,305  
2020 and thereafter     156,877  
Total   $ 1,554,226  

 

Expected rent payments to be received under the sublease agreement as of March 31, 2015 are $104,618 for the year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Rental expenses charged to operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 were $162,212 and $155,575, respectively. Rental income received for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was $34,301 and $33,302, respectively.

 

Litigation

 

The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of its business. Although occasional adverse decisions or settlements may occur, the Company believes that the final disposition of such matters should not have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

 

Sales Tax

 

During 2012, the Company engaged a sales tax consultant to assist in determining the extent of its potential sales tax exposure. Based upon this analysis, management determined the Company had probable exposure for certain unpaid obligations, including interest and penalty, of approximately $1,100,000 including and prior to the year ended December 31, 2011. The Company has approximately $320,000 and $353,000 accrued for this exposure as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

 

The Company continues to manage the liability by establishing voluntary disclosure agreements (VDAs) with the applicable states, which establishes a maximum look-back period and payment arrangements. However, if the aforementioned methods prove unsuccessful and the Company is examined or challenged by taxing authorities, there exists possible exposure of an additional $200,000, not including any applicable interest and penalties.

 

Prior to 2015, the Company successfully executed and paid in full VDAs in thirty one states totaling approximately $695,000 and is current with the subsequent filing requirements.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company executed one VDA but had yet to pay the state. The Company is currently in negotiation with three states.

 

The following table sets forth the change in the sales tax accrual as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:

 

    March 31,
2015
    December 31,
2014
 
Balance, beginning of year   $ 353,260     $ 1,080,482  
Sales tax collected     68,265       426,599  
Provisions           (599,295 )
Interest and penalties            
Payments     (101,283 )     (554,526 )
Balance, end of period   $ 320,242     $ 353,260