NOCERA INC
For the period ended Mar 31, 2024. Filed May 15, 2024.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 31, 2024 · Filed May 15, 2024
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
Note 1 PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES AND ORGANIZATION
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Nocera, Inc. (“Nocera” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries, Grand Smooth Inc. Limited (“GSI”) and Guizhou Grand Smooth Technology Ltd. (“GZ GST” or “WFOE”), and Meixin Institutional Food Development Co., Ltd. (“Meixin”) that is controlled through contractual arrangements. The Company, GSI, GZ GST and Mexin are collectively referred to as the “Company”
Nocera was incorporated in the State of Nevada on February 1, 2002 and is based in New Taipei City, Taiwan (R.O.C.). It did not engage in any operations and was dormant from its inception until its reverse merger with GSI on December 31, 2018.
Reverse Merger
Effective December 31, 2018, Nocera completed a reverse merger transaction (the “Transaction”) pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Agreement”), with (i) GSI, (ii) GSI’s shareholders, Yin-Chieh Cheng and Bi Zhang, who together owned shares constituting 100% of the issued and outstanding ordinary shares of GSI (the “GSI Shares”) and (iii) GSI Acquisition Corp. Under the terms of the Agreement, the GSI Shareholders transferred to Nocera all of the GSI Shares in exchange for the issuance of 10,000,000 shares (the “Shares”) of Nocera’s common stock (the “Share Exchange”). As a result of the reverse merger, GSI became Nocera’s wholly-owned subsidiary and Yin-Chieh Cheng and Bi Zhang, the former shareholders of GSI, became Nocera’s controlling shareholders. The share exchange transaction with GSI was treated as a reverse merger, with GSI as the accounting acquirer and Nocera as the acquired party.
GSI is a limited company established under the laws and regulations of Hong Kong on August 1, 2014, and is a holding company without any operations.
GZ WFH was incorporated in Xingyi City, Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China (“PRC”) on October 25, 2017, and is engaged in providing fish farming containers service, which integrates sales, installments, and maintenance of aquaculture equipment. The registered capital of GZ WFH is RMB$5,000,000 (equal to US$733,138).
On November 13, 2018, GSI incorporated GZ GST in PRC with registered capital of US$15,000.
Divestiture
On September 21, 2020, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K outlining the lack of communication that led to the termination by Nocera of its relationship with its former variable interest entity, Guizhou Wan Feng Hu Intelligent Aquatic Technology Co. Limited (“GZ WFH”) and its management, and termination of the variable interest entity agreements between the parties.
Subsequently on October 8, 2020, Zhang Bi and GZ WFH entered into a Settlement Agreement and Release with Nocera wherein all claims as to GZ WFH’s debt (claim to shares in Nocera or GZ GST) were compromised, settled, and otherwise resolved as to any and all claims or causes of action whatsoever against Nocera for any matter, action, or representation as to Nocera, and any debt to ownership of Nocera or GZ GST up to the date of the agreement. The consideration for the agreement was mutual waiver of any and all claims against each other and GZ GST, and GZ WFH (including Zhang Bi) waived any claims to Nocera stock, meaning the 4,750,000 shares of common stock of Nocera owned by Zhang Bi were cancelled as part of the agreement. The Settlement Agreement and Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.8.
The VIE Agreements with XFC
On December 31, 2020, we exchanged 466,667 (post-split) shares of our restricted common stock to stockholders of Xin Feng Construction Co., Ltd., a Taiwan limited liability company (“XFC”), in exchange for 100% controlling interest in XFC. We also entered into contractual arrangements with a stockholder of XFC, that enabled us to have the power to direct the activities that most significantly affects the economic performance of XFC and receive the economic benefits of XFC that could be significant to XFC. On November 30, 2022, we entered into a Purchase of Business Agreement with Han-Chieh Shih (the “Purchaser”), in which we sold our controlling interest of XFC, to the Purchaser for a total purchase cash price of $300,000 (the “XFC Sale”). The closing of the XFC Sale occurred on November 30, 2022 and the XFC variable interest entity (“VIE”) agreements were terminated in connection with the XFC Sale.
The VIE Agreements with Meixin
On September 7, 2022, we entered into a series of contractual agreements (collectively, the “Meixin VIE Agreements”) with the majority stockholder (the “Selling Stockholder”) of Meixin Institutional Food Development Co., Ltd., a Taiwan corporation and a food processing and catering company (“Meixin”), and Meixin, of which we purchased 80% controlling interest of Meixin for $4,300,000. The Meixin VIE Agreements essentially confer control and management of Meixin as well as substantially all of the economic benefits of the Selling Stockholder in Meixin to us.
The VIE Agreements with Xinca
On January 31, 2024, we entered into a Variable Interest Entity Purchase Agreement (“Xinca Purchase Agreement”) with Zhejiang Xinca Mutual Entertainment Culture Media Co., Ltd. (“Xinca”), a domestic funded limited liability company registered in China (P.R.C). The Xinca Purchase Agreement was entered into by our wholly-owned subsidiary and foreign enterprise, Shanghai Nocera Culture Co., Ltd. (“WFOE”), through a series of contractual agreements (“VIE Agreements”), in which we exchanged 1,800,000 shares of our restricted common stock for a 100% controlling interest in Xinca. As a result, the Company has been determined to be the primary beneficiary of Xinca and Xinca became a variable interest entity (“VIE”) of the Company.
Note 2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICY
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) for interim financial information. Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required for complete financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024.
In the opinion of management, all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present a fair presentation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2024, its consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024, cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and change in equity for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as applicable, have been made. Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2024 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2023 or any future periods.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. The Company conducts credit evaluations of its customers and suppliers, and generally does not require collateral or other security from them. The Company evaluates its collection experience and long outstanding balances to determine the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts. The Company conducts periodic reviews of the financial condition and payment practices of its customers to minimize collection risk on accounts receivable.
There were four customers who represent 95% of the Company’s total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023. There were five customers who represent 93% of the Company’s total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2024.
The following table sets forth a summary of single customers who represent 10% or more of the Company’s total accounts receivable, net:
| Schedule of concentrations of credit risk | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| Percentage of the Company’s accounts receivable | ||
| Customer A | 59.13% | 60.11% |
| Customer B | 10.96% | 21.99% |
| Customer C | 29.41% | – |
| Customer D | – | 16.10% |
| 99.50% | 98.19% | |
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.”
The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, the Company applies the following steps:
| · | Step 1: Identify the contract(s) with a customer |
| · | Step 2: Identify the performance obligations in the contract |
| · | Step 3: Determine the transaction price |
| · | Step 4: Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligation in the contract |
| · | Step 5: Recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation |
The Company recognizes revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies performance obligations by transferring promised goods or services to its customers. Revenue is measured at the transaction price which is based on the amount of consideration that the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring the promised goods or services to its customers. Contracts with customers are comprised of invoices and written contracts.
The Company does not have arrangements for returns from customers. The Company has no sales incentive programs.
The Company provides goods, maintenance service warranties for the goods sold with a period varying from 18 months to 72 months, a majority of which are 18 months, and exclusive sales agency license to its customers. For performance obligation related to providing products, the Company expects to recognize the revenue according to the delivery of products. For performance obligation related to maintenance service warranties, the Company expects to recognize the revenue on a ratable basis using a time-based output method. The performance obligations are typically satisfied as services are rendered on a straight-line basis over the contract term, which is generally for 18 months as a majority of the maintenance service warranties periods provided are 18 months. For performance obligation related to exclusive agency licenses, the Company recognizes the revenue ratably upon the satisfaction over the estimated economic life of the license.
The Company does not have amounts of contract assets since revenue is recognized as control of goods is transferred. The contract liabilities consist of advance payments from customers and deferred revenue. Advance payments from customers are expected to be recognized as revenue within 12 months. Deferred revenue is expected to be recognized as revenue within 12 months.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The FASB issued several updates during the period, none of these standards are either applicable to the Company or require adoption at a future date and none are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
Note 3 ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, accounts receivable consisted of the following:
| Schedule of accounts receivable | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Accounts receivable | 172,310 | 173,395 |
| Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | – | – |
| Total | 172,310 | 173,395 |
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and for the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company has recorded provision for doubtful accounts of nil.
Note 4 INVENTORIES
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, inventories consisted of the following:
| Schedule of inventories | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Raw materials | 86,445 | 88,432 |
| Work in process | – | – |
| Total | 86,445 | 88,432 |
Note 5 PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER ASSETS, NET
| Schedule of prepaid expenses and other assets | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Other receivables from third party | 506,257 | 10,365 |
| Prepaid expenses and other assets, net | 506,257 | 10,365 |
Note 6 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, property and equipment consisted of the following:
| Schedule of property and equipment | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Equipment | 928,602 | 905,430 |
| Land | 877,870 | 877,870 |
| Less: Accumulated depreciation | (268,780) | (235,499) |
| Property and equipment, net | 1,537,692 | 1,547,801 |
Depreciation expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were $22,559 and $44,728, respectively.
Note 7 FINANCIAL ASSETS AT FAIR VALUE THROUGH PROFIT OR LOSS
The fair value of each investment in equity instrument to be measured at fair value through profit or loss is as follows:
| Schedule of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| Financial assets mandatorily measured at fair value through profit or loss | $ | $ |
| Funds | 211,106 | 208,697 |
| Total | 211,106 | 208,697 |
| Non-Current | 211,106 | 208,697 |
| Total | 211,106 | 208,697 |
On January 11, 2023, the Company invested $200,000 Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund Trust. Net gain of $2,409 was recognized under changes in fair value of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss in the consolidated statement of profit or loss for the period ended March 31, 2024.
As of March 31, 2024, no financial assets at fair value through profit or loss were pledged with banks as collaterals.
Note 8 GOODWILL
As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, goodwill consisted of the following:
Goodwill
| Schedule of goodwill | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Goodwill - Meixin | 3,905,735 | 3,905,735 |
| Goodwill - Xinca | 1,351,703 | – |
| Less: Accumulated amortization | (2,250,553) | (2,250,553) |
| Goodwill, net | 3,006,885 | 1,655,182 |
Customer relations
| Schedule of customer relations | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, | December 31, | |
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Balance b/f | 135,325 | 135,325 |
| Acquisitions | – | – |
| Translation/ Adjustments | – | – |
| Less: Accumulated amortization | (25,272) | (21,196) |
| Less: Impairment | – | – |
| Customer relations, net | 110,053 | 114,129 |
Note 9 OTHER BORROWINGS
Others loans consisted of the following:
| Schedule of other loans | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| Secured loan from Chailease Finance Co., Ltd wholly repayable within 1 year | $426,322 | $487,800 |
| Total secured loan wholly repayable within 1 year | 426,322 | 487,800 |
| Secured loan from Chailease Finance Co., Ltd wholly repayable more than 1 year | – | – |
| Total | $426,322 | $487,800 |
As of December 31, 2022, the outstanding loan from Chailease Finance Co., Ltd of $651,254 (or TWD 20,000,000) with annual interest rate of 6% was secured by pledging the timely deposit in Sunny Bank (Xizhi Branch) of $500,000, and denominated in TWD for a term of 24 months. This facility of credit limit of TWD 20,000,000 was obtained on December 19, 2022 and will be expired on December 16, 2024.
Note 10 WARRANTS
On April 1, 2021, the Company entered into a securities purchase agreement with certain investors for an aggregate of 80,000 shares of its preferred stock at a per share purchase price of $2.50. As part of the transaction, the investors received one Class C warrant and one Class D warrant for the subscription of each preferred share. The Class C warrants consist of the right to purchase up to 80,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share exercisable for 36 months from the date of inception. The Class D warrants consist of the right to purchase up to 80,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share exercisable for 36 months from the date of inception. The subscription was completed on August 10, 2021.
On September 27, 2021, the Company entered into another securities purchase agreement with the same investors, pursuant to which the Company issued in a registered direct offering, an aggregate of 48,000 shares of common stock of the Company at a per share purchase price of $2.50. In addition, the investors also received one Class C warrant and one Class D warrant for the subscription of each preferred share. The Class C warrants consist of the right to purchase up to 80,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $2.50 per share exercisable for 36 months from the date of inception. The Class D warrants consist of the right to purchase up to 80,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $5.00 per share exercisable for 36 months from the date of inception.
Public Offering
In connection with a firm commitment underwritten public offering (the “Public Offering”) pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1, amended (File No. 333-264059), originally filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022, and declared effective by the SEC on August 10, 2022, the Company sold an aggregate of 1,880,000 units (the “Units”). Each Unit consisted of one share of common stock and a warrant to purchase two shares of common stock. Each warrant underlying the Units was exercisable from the date of issuance until the fifth anniversary of the issuance date for $3.85 per share of Common Stock (110% of the public offering price per Unit), subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting the common stock as described in the warrants. The Public Offering closed on August 15, 2022, and the Company received total gross proceeds of $6.58 million. After deducting the underwriting commissions, discounts, and offering expenses, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $5.3 million.
In connection with the Public Offering and pursuant to the underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters named therein, we granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to 282,000 additional shares of common stock and warrants, equivalent to 15% of the Units sold in the Public Offering, at the public offering price per Unit, less underwriting discounts and commissions, to cover over-allotments, if any. On September 23, 2022, the underwriters exercised their option to purchase an additional 282,000 warrants from us for gross proceeds of $2,820. The warrants were issued to the underwriters on September 26, 2022.
On November 14, 2022, the exercise price of the warrants was decreased to $1.925. Under the terms of the warrants, the exercise price was to be decreased to the greater of (i) $1.925, which represented 50% of the original exercise price; and (ii) 100% of the last volume weighted average price immediately preceding the 90 th calendar day following the initial issuance date (the “Reset Exercise Price”) if, on the date that is 90 calendar days immediately following the initial issuance date, the Reset Exercise Price is less than the original $3.85 exercise price on that date.
The Reset Exercise Price remains subject to adjustment in the event of stock dividends, stock splits, stock combinations, reclassifications, reorganizations or similar events affecting the Common Stock as described in the Warrants.
Reverse Split
In connection with the Public Offering, on August 11, 2022, the Company effected a 2:3 reverse stock split for each share of common stock issued and outstanding. As a result of reverse stock split, the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Class C warrant decreased from 80,000 shares to 53,334 shares for $3.75 per share and Class D warrant decreased from 80,000 shares to 53,334 shares for $7.50 per share.
| Schedule of assumptions used | ||
|---|---|---|
| Appraisal Date (Inception Date) | C Warrant August 10, 2021 | D Warrant August 10, 2021 |
| (Unaudited) | ||
| $ | $ | |
| Market price per share (USD/share) | 1.47 | 0.66 |
| Exercise price (USD/price) | 2.50 | 5.00 |
| Risk free rate | 0.14% | 0.14% |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Expected term/ Contractual life (years) | 1.39 | 1.39 |
| Expected volatility | 56.36% | 56.36% |
| Appraisal Date (Inception Date) | C Warrant September 27, 2021 | D Warrant September 27, 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| (Unaudited) | ||
| $ | $ | |
| Market price per share (USD/share) | 1.71 | 0.73 |
| Exercise price (USD/price) | 2.50 | 5.00 |
| Risk free rate | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Dividend yield | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Expected term/ Contractual life (years) | 1.26 | 1.26 |
| Expected volatility | 52.93% | 52.93% |
The following is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of warrants liability measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs:
| Schedule of warranty liability activity | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Balance at the beginning of period | 1,179,768 | 1,179,768 |
| Warrants issued to investors | – | – |
| Warrants redeemed | – | – |
| Fair value change of warrants included in earnings | – | – |
| Total | 1,179,768 | 1,179,768 |
The following is a summary of the warrant activity:
| Schedule of warrant activity | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Warrants | Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term in Years | |
| Outstanding at January 1, 2024 | 2,255,146 | 2.14 | 3.65 |
| Exercisable at January 1, 2024 | 2,255,146 | 2.14 | 3.65 |
| Granted | – | – | – |
| Exercised / surrendered | – | – | – |
| Expired | – | – | – |
| Outstanding at March 31, 2024 | 2,255,146 | 2.14 | 3.65 |
| Exercisable at March 31, 2024 | 2,255,146 | 2.14 | 3.65 |
Note 11 LEASES
The Company has two non-cancelable lease agreements for certain of the office and accommodation as well as fish farming containers for research and development of advanced technology for water circulation in fish farming containers with original lease periods expiring between 2023 and 2024. The lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise that option. The Company recognizes rental expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The components of lease expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023 were as follows:
| Schedule of components of lease expenses | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Statement of Income Location | Three months ended March 31, 2024 | Three months ended March 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) · (Unaudited) | |||
| $ · $ | |||
| Lease Costs | |||
| Operating lease expense | General and administrative expenses | 18,791 | 9,886 |
| Total net lease costs | 18,791 | 9,886 | |
Maturity of lease liabilities under our non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024 are US$nil.
Note 12 OTHER PAYABLES AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES
| Schedule of other payables | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| VAT payable | – | – |
| Salary payable | 823 | 842 |
| Others | 32,735 | 33,251 |
| Total | 33,558 | 34,093 |
Note 13 INCOME TAXES
The Company and its subsidiary, and the consolidated VIE file tax returns separately.
- Value-added tax (“VAT”)
PRC
Pursuant to the Provisional Regulation of the PRC on VAT and the related implementing rules, all entities and individuals (“taxpayers”) that are engaged in the sale of products in the PRC are generally required to pay VAT, at a rate of which was changed from 16% to 13% on April 1, 2019 of the gross sales proceeds received, less any deductible VAT already paid or borne by the taxpayers. GZ WFH also subjected to 10% for the installment service provided.
Taiwan
Pursuant to the Value-added and Non-value-added Business Tax Act and the related implementing rules, all entities and individuals (“taxpayers”) that are engaged in the sale of products in the Taiwan are generally required to pay VAT, at a rate of 5%.
- Income tax
United States
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into legislation. The Tax Act significantly revises the U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering the statutory corporate tax rate from 34% to 21%, imposing a mandatory one-time tax on accumulated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, introducing new tax regimes, and changing how foreign earnings are subject to U.S. tax.
On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to provide guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740. The Company has completed the assessment of the income tax effect of the Tax Act and there were no adjustments recorded to the provisional amounts.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economy Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into law on 27 March 2020. The CARES Act temporarily eliminates the 80% taxable income limitation (as enacted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017) for net operating loss (“NOL”) deductions for 2018-2020 tax years and reinstated NOL carrybacks for the 2018-2020 tax years. Moreover, the CARES Act also temporarily increases the business interest deduction limitations from 30% to 50% of adjusted taxable income for the 2019 and 2020 taxable year. Lastly, the Tax Act technical correction classifies qualified improvement property as 15-year recovery period, allowing the bonus depreciation deduction to be claimed for such property retroactively as if it was included in the Tax Act at the time of enactment. The Company does not anticipate a significant tax impact on its financial statements and will continue to examine the impact the CARES Act may have on its business.
The Company evaluated the Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”) inclusion on current earnings and profits of greater than 10% owned foreign controlled corporations. The Company has evaluated whether it has additional provision amount resulted by the GILTI inclusion on current earnings and profits of its foreign controlled corporations. The law also provides that corporate taxpayers may benefit from a 50% reduction in the GILTI inclusion, which effectively reduces the 21% U.S. corporate tax rate on the foreign income to an effective rate of 10.5%. The GILTI inclusion further provides for a foreign tax credit in connection with the foreign taxes paid. In 2019, the Company recorded a GILTI inclusion of $152,829. The Company has elected to treat the financial statement impact of GILTI as current period expenses.
The reverse merger was completed on December 31, 2018 and the tax losses of the US subsidiary was not in the scope as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019, net operating loss carried forward which was available to offset future taxable income for the Company in the United States was $99,817. There was a full valuation allowance applied against these loss carry forward as management determined it was not more likely than not that these net operating losses would be utilized in the foreseeable future.
Hong Kong
The HK tax reform has introduced two-tiered profits tax rates for corporations. Under the two-tiered profits tax rates regime, the profits tax rate for the first HK$2 million (approximately $257,931) of assessable profits will be lowered to 8.25% (half of the rate specified in Schedule 8 to the Inland Revenue Ordinance) for corporations. Assessable profits above HK$2 million (approximately $257,931) will continue to be subject to the rate of 16.5% for corporations. Because the Company assessed that the HK entity will not earn a profit greater than HK$2 million (approximately $257,931), it is subject to a corporate income tax rate of 8.25%.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s subsidiary in Hong Kong had net operating loss carry forwards available to offset future taxable income. The net operating losses will be carryforward indefinitely under Hong Kong Profits Tax regulation. There is a full valuation allowance applied against these loss carry forward as management determined it was not more likely than not that these net operating losses would be utilized in the foreseeable future.
PRC
WFOE and the consolidated VIE established in the PRC are subject to the PRC statutory income tax rate of 25%, according to the PRC Enterprise Income Tax law.
In accordance with the relevant tax laws and regulations of the PRC, a company registered in the PRC is subject to income taxes within the PRC at the applicable tax rate on taxable income. All the PRC subsidiaries were subject to income tax at a rate of 25% for the year ended December 31, 2021. According to PRC tax regulations, the PRC net operating loss can generally carry forward for no longer than five years starting from the year subsequent to the year in which the loss was incurred.
Taiwan
The Company’s loss before income taxes is primarily derived from the operations in Taiwan and income tax expense is primarily incurred in Taiwan.
As a result of amendments to the “Taiwan Income Tax Act” enacted by the Office of the President of Taiwan on February 7, 2018, the statutory income tax rate increased from 17% to 20% and the undistributed earnings tax, or a surtax, decreased from 10% to 5% effective from January 1, 2018. As a result, the statutory income tax rate in Taiwan was 20% for the years ended August 31, 2021 and 2020. An additional surtax, of which rate was reduced from 10% to 5% being applied to the Company starting from September 1, 2018, is assessed on undistributed income for the entities in Taiwan, but only to the extent such income is not distributed or set aside as a legal reserve before the end of the following year. The 5% surtax is recorded in the period the income is earned, and the reduction in the surtax liability is recognized in the period the distribution to stockholders or the setting aside of legal reserve is finalized in the following year.
The components of the income tax (benefit) expense are:
| Schedule of income tax components | ||
|---|---|---|
| Three months ended March 31, | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Current | – | – |
| Deferred | – | – |
| Total income tax expense | – | – |
The reconciliation of income taxes expenses computed at the Taiwan statutory tax rate (2022: at PRC statutory rate) applicable to income tax expense is as follows:
| Schedule of reconciliation of income tax expense | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Three months ended March 31, | ||||
| 2024 · 2023 | ||||
| (Unaudited) · (Unaudited) | ||||
| Taiwan (2021-PRC) income tax statutory rate | 20.00% | 20.00% | ||
| Tax effect of non-deductible expenses | (3.15% | ) | (1.54% | ) |
| Tax effect of stock-based compensation | (4.41% | ) | (10.29% | ) |
| Tax effect of non-taxable income | – | – | ||
| Impact of different tax rates in other jurisdictions | (0.15% | ) | (0.05% | ) |
| Others | – | – | ||
| Changes in valuation allowance | (12.29% | ) | (8.11% | ) |
| Effective tax rate | – | – | ||
- Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net
The tax effects of temporary differences representing deferred income tax assets and liabilities result principally from the following:
| Schedule of deferred income taxes | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Deferred tax assets | ||
| Tax loss carried forward | – | 23,391 |
| Allowance for doubtful receivables | – | – |
| Total deferred tax assets | – | 23,391 |
| Reversal of deferred tax assets | – | (23,391) |
| Valuation allowance | – | – |
| Total deferred tax assets, net | – | – |
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | ||
| Property and equipment, difference in depreciation | – | – |
| Deferred tax liabilities, net | – | – |
The valuation allowance as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2022 was primarily provided for the deferred income tax assets if it is more likely than not that these items will expire before the Company is able to realize its benefits, or that the future deductibility is uncertain. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or utilizable. Management considers projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The movement for the valuation allowance is as following.
| Schedule of movement in valuation allowance | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Balance at beginning of the period or year, as applicable | 95,844 | 95,844 |
| Additions of valuation allowance | – | – |
| Reductions of valuation allowance | – | – |
| Balance at the end of the period or year, as applicable | 95,844 | 95,844 |
PRC Withholding Tax on Dividends
The current PRC Enterprise Income Tax Law imposes a 10% withholding income tax for dividends distributed by foreign-invested enterprises to their immediate holding companies outside the PRC. A lower withholding tax rate will be applied if there is a tax treaty arrangement between the PRC and the jurisdiction of the foreign holding company. Distributions to holding companies in Hong Kong that satisfy certain requirements specified by PRC tax authorities, for example, will be subject to a 5% withholding tax rate.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had not recorded any withholding tax on the retained earnings of its foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC, since the Company intended to reinvest its earnings to potentially continue its business in mainland China, namely the manufacturing of the RASs through GZ GST, and its foreign-invested enterprises do not intend to declare dividends to their immediate foreign holding companies.
As of March 31, 2022, the Company had not recorded any withholding tax on the retained earnings of its foreign-invested enterprises in the PRC, and the Company decided not to reinvest its earnings since it is not continuing its business in mainland China, and its foreign-invested enterprises do not intend to declare dividends to their immediate foreign holding companies.
Note 14 RELATED PARTY BALANCES AND TRANSACTIONS
Due to related parties
The balance due to related parties was as following:
| Schedule of related party transactions | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Mountain Share Transfer, LLC (1) | 39,341 | 39,341 |
Sales
The balance of sales with a related party was as following:
| Related Party Categories | March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (Unaudited) · (Audited) | |||
| $ · $ | |||
| Grand Smooth Corporation Limited (2) | Same director | – | 5,352 |
| Total | – | 5,352 | |
The sales prices and payment terms to related parties were not significantly different from those of sales to third parties. For other related party transactions, price and terms were determined in accordance with mutual agreements.
Note:
| (1) | Mountain Share Transfer, LLC is company 100% controlled by Erik S. Nelson, a stockholder of the Company. The balances represented the amount paid on behalf of the Company for its daily operation purpose. |
| (2) | Grand Smooth Corporation Limited's chairman is Mr. Yin-Chieh Cheng ("Mr. Cheng") same with Company. Grand Smooth Corporation Limited will purchase goods from Company and re-sell it. All the terms were not significantly different from those of sales to third parties. |
Note 15 COMMON STOCK
The Company’s authorized number of common stock is 200,000,000 shares with par value of $0.001 each. On August 11, 2022, the Company effected a 2:3 reverse stock split for each share of common stock issued and outstanding. As a result of reverse stock split, the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding decreased from 10,707,150 shares to 7,138,587 shares. All shares and associated amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the stock split on August 11, 2022. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, issued common stock were 12,956,987 shares and 11,156,987, respectively.
On August 11, 2022, the Company’s common stock commenced trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “NCRA” on a post-reverse stock split basis. During the public offering,1,880,000 common stocks, at par value $0.001 each, were issued at the offering price $3.5 each. The Company received total gross proceeds of $6.58 million from the public offering and after deducting the underwriting commissions, discounts and offering expenses, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $5.3 million.
All number of shares, share amounts and per share data presented in the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes have been retroactively restated to reflect the reverse merger transaction and subsequent issuance of shares stated above, except for authorized shares of common stock, which were not affected.
Note 16 SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
On December 27, 2018, Nocera granted Mr. Yin-Chieh Cheng quarterly option awards of 250,000 Series A warrants for 20 quarters (i.e., 5 years) for a total of 5,000,000 Series A warrants with an exercise price of $0.50 per share, subject to continued employment for services as Chairman of the Board of Directors (“Board”) and a Director.
On June 1, 2020, Nocera granted Mr. Shun-Chih Chuang and Mr. Hsien-Wen Yu 50,000 Class A warrants and 60,000 Class A warrants separately, each with an exercise price of $0.50 per share, for serving as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. The Company also granted 2 employees 50,000 Class A warrants with an exercise price of $0.50 per share. The Class A warrants consist of the right to purchase one share of Company common stock for $0.50 per share from the date of issuance until April 23, 2026.
On June 1, 2020, Nocera granted Mr. Michael A. Littman 50,000 Class A warrants with an exercise price of $0.50 per share and 50,000 Class B warrants with exercise price of $1.00 per share. Mr. Littman exercised 50,000 Class A warrants and 50,000 Class B warrants on August 11, 2021. The Class A warrants consist of the right to purchase one share of Company common stock for $0.50 per share from the date of issuance until April 23, 2026. The Class B warrants consist of the right to purchase one share of common stock for $1.00 per share separately from the date of issuance until April 23, 2026.
On December 1, 2021, Nocera granted Mr. Shun-Chih Chuang and Mr. Hsien-Wen Yu 75,000 Class A warrants and 60,000 Class A warrants separately, each with an exercise price of $0.50 per share, for serving as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer, respectively. The Company also granted 2 employees 70,000 Class A warrant with an exercise price of $0.50 per share. The Class A warrants consist of the right to purchase one share of Company common stock for $0.50 per share from the date of issuance until April 23, 2026.
On December 31, 2021, the Company issued an aggregate of 505,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Shun-Chih Chuang and a total of five consultants in consideration for services rendered.
On August 11, 2022, the Company effected a 2:3 reverse stock split for each share of common stock issued and outstanding. The result of reverse stock split over the common stock issuable upon exercise of the following outstanding securities as of September 30, 2022 is listed below:
| Schedule of before and after reverse stock split | ||
|---|---|---|
| Before Reverse Stock Split | After Reverse Stock Split | |
| Series A Warrant | 4,000,000 | 2,666,667 |
| Class A Warrants | 1,015,000 | 676,667 |
| Class B Warrants | 650,000 | 433,334 |
| Class C Warrants | 940,000 | 626,667 |
| Class D Warrants | 940,000 | 626,667 |
| 2018 Stock Option and Award Incentive Plan | 10,000,000 | 6,666,667 |
| Total reverse stock split | 17,545,000 | 11,696,669 |
On December 22, 2022, the Company issued 150,000 and 75,000 shares of common stock to Chen-Chun Chung and TraDigital respectively in consideration for services rendered.
On March 22, 2023, the Company issued 450,000 shares of common stock to Hanover International, Inc. respectively in consideration for services rendered.
On July 31, 2023, Nocera granted Mr. Andy Chin-An Jin 240,000 restricted shares of common stock, of which vests at the end of every three month period after July 31, 2023 in equal installments over the period of one year, subject to the employment for services as Chief Executive Officer. On December 5, 2023, the Company issued 60,000 shares of our common stock to our Chief Executive Officer, Andy Chin-An Jin.
On October 11, 2023, the Company issued 20,000 shares of common stock to Mr. Nick Chang in consideration of service rendered as a consultant for three years.
The estimated fair value of share-based compensation for employees is recognized as a charge against income on a ratable basis over the requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award. The fair value of stock option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model under the following assumptions:
| Schedule of assumptions of option pricing | ||
|---|---|---|
| March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Audited) | |
| Dividend yield | N/A | N/A |
| Risk-free interest rate | 1.16% | 1.16% |
| Expected term (in years) | 4.31 | 4.31 |
| Volatility | 48.15% | 48.15% |
The Company estimated the grant date fair value of time-based stock option awards using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, which requires assumptions involving an estimate of the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant, the expected term of the options, volatility, discount rate and dividend yield. The Company calculated expected option terms based on the “simplified” method for “plain vanilla” options due to the limited exercise information. The “simplified method” calculates the expected term as the average of the vesting term and the original contractual term of the options. The Company calculated volatility using the average adjusted volatility of quick companies feature of Capital IQ for a period of time reflective of the expected option term, while the discount rate was estimated using the interest rate for a treasury note with the same contractual term as the options granted. Dividend yield is estimated at our current dividend rate, which adjusts for any known future changes in the rate.
For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and year ended December 31, 2023, $103,155 and $163,621 share-based compensation expenses was recognized into additional paid-in capital of the Company, respectively.
As of March 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested share-based compensation awards was $0. This amount is expected to be recognized as stock-based compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income over the remaining vesting period.
Note 17 PREFERRED STOCK
In August 2021, the Company issued 80,000 preferred shares, par value $0.001 per share, at an issue price of $2.50 per share to certain investors credited as fully paid. The preferred shares are non-voting and non-redeemable. The holder of the preferred shares will have priority over the holders of the common stock of the Company on the assets and funds of the Company available for distribution in a distribution of assets on liquidation, winding up or dissolution of the Company. The holder of the preferred shares shall not have the right to attend or vote at any general meeting of the Company (except a general meeting for winding up of the Company or a resolution is to be proposed which if passed would vary or abrogate the rights or privileges of such holder).
On August 11, 2022, the Company effected a 2:3 reverse stock split for each share of common stock issued and outstanding. As a result of reverse stock split, the shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock decreased from 80,000 shares to 53,334 shares.
Note 18 LOSS PER SHARE
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per common share for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
| Schedule of loss per share | ||
|---|---|---|
| For three months ended March 31, | ||
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| (Unaudited) | (Unaudited) | |
| $ | $ | |
| Numerator: | ||
| Net (loss) income attributable to the Company | (486,420) | (987,648) |
| Denominator: | ||
| Weighted-average shares outstanding | ||
| – Basic | 11,956,987 | 9,293,587 |
| – Diluted | 11,956,987 | 9,293,587 |
| (Loss) income per share: | ||
| – Basic | (0.0407) | (0.1063) |
| – Diluted | (0.0407) | (0.1063) |
Note 19 SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On April 14, 2024, Gui Zhou Grand Smooth Technology Ltd. (“GZ GST”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Nocera, Inc. (the “Company”), entered into that certain Equity Purchase Agreement dated as of April 14, 2024 (the “Equity Purchase Agreement”), with Hangzhou SY Culture Media Co. Ltd. (“SY Culture”), pursuant to which GZ GST acquired all of the issued and outstanding equity securities of SY Culture from the stockholders of SY Culture (the “SY Culture Acquisition”) in exchange for the issuance of 600,000 unregistered shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share (“Common Stock”).
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.