Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and tax purposes. Components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities as of August 31, 2012 and November 30, 2011 are as follows:

At August 31, 2012, a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets was not deemed necessary because the Company believes it is more likely than not that there is an ability to realize its deferred tax assets through future taxable income. Any adjustments to the Company’s estimates of future taxable income will be made in the period such determination is made. The Company’s policy is to record interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as part of tax expense. As of August 31, 2012, the Company had no uncertain tax positions and no penalties and interest were accrued. Tax years subsequent to the year ending November 30, 2006 remain open to examination by federal and state tax authorities.

Total income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rates of 35 percent for the three and nine months ended August 31, 2012 and 2011 to gain (loss) from operations and other income for the periods presented, as follows:

Total income taxes are computed by applying the federal statutory rate plus a blended state income tax rate. During the period, the Company re-evaluated its overall federal and state income tax rate, decreasing it from 37.62 percent to 37.26 percent due to anticipated state apportionment of income and gains. The components of income tax expense include the following for the periods presented:

The deferred income tax expense for the nine months ended August 31, 2011 includes the impact of the change in valuation allowance.

As of November 30, 2011, the Company had a net operating loss for federal income tax purposes of approximately $7,387,000. The net operating loss may be carried forward for 20 years. If not utilized, this net operating loss will expire as follows: $8,000, $4,002,000, $3,353,000 and $24,000 in the years ending November 30, 2028, 2029, 2030 and 2031, respectively. The amount of deferred tax asset for net operating losses at August 31, 2012 includes amounts for the period from December 1, 2011 through August 31, 2012. As of November 30, 2011, the Company utilized its capital loss carry forward. As of November 30, 2011, an alternative minimum tax credit of $194,267 was available, which may be credited in the future against regular income tax. This credit may be carried forward indefinitely.

The aggregate cost of securities for federal income tax purposes and securities with unrealized appreciation and depreciation, were as follows: