recorded at the high end of the range, at 0.3% of our gross receivable balance, then our allowance for doubtful accounts receivable balance at January 27, 2008, would have been approximately $1.9 million, rather than the actual balance of $1.0 million.

 

Inventories



  Inventory cost is computed on an adjusted standard basis; which approximates actual cost on an average or first-in, first-out basis. We write down our inventory for estimated lower of cost or market, obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand, future product purchase commitments, estimated manufacturing yield levels and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, or if our future product purchase commitments to our suppliers exceed our forecasted future demand for such products, additional future inventory write-downs may be required that could adversely affect our operating results. If actual market conditions are more favorable, we may have higher gross margins when products are sold. Sales to date of such products have not had a significant impact on our gross margin. As of January 27, 2008, our inventory reserve was $32.9 million. As a percentage of our gross inventory balance, our inventory reserve has ranged between 8.4% and 13.5% during fiscal years 2008 and 2007. As of January 27, 2008, our inventory reserve represented 8.4% of our gross inventory balance. If our inventory reserve balance had been recorded at the high end of the range, at 13.5% of our gross inventory balance, then our inventory reserve balance at January 27, 2008, would have been approximately $52.7 million, rather than the actual balance of $32.9 million. Inventory reserves once established are not reversed until the related inventory has been sold or scrapped.



Income Taxes

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, or SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effect of income taxes. In accordance with SFAS No. 109, we recognize federal, state and foreign current tax liabilities or assets based on our estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year by tax jurisdiction. We also recognize federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets or liabilities, as appropriate, for our estimate of future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards; and we record a valuation allowance to reduce any deferred tax assets by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on available evidence and judgment, are not expected to be realized.

 

United States income tax has not been provided on earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries to the extent that such earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested.

 

Our calculation of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on certain estimates and judgments and involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Our estimates of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities may change based, in part, on added certainty or finality