1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business Activities

Ironstone Group, Inc. and subsidiaries have no operations but are seeking appropriate business combination opportunities. Ironstone Group, Inc, (“Ironstone” or the “Company”) a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1972.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ironstone Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, AcadiEnergy, Inc., Belt Perry Associates, Inc., DeMoss Corporation, and TaxNet, Inc. (collectively the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Marketable and Non-Marketable Securities

Marketable and non-marketable securities have been classified by management as available for sale in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320. Marketable securities are recorded at fair value and any unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities and investments at December 31, 2022 is based on quoted market prices. For the purpose of computing realized gains and losses, cost is identified on a specific identification basis. For marketable securities for which there is an other-than-temporary impairment, an impairment loss is recognized as a realized loss, and related adjustments are not made for recovery in value.

Securities determined to be non-marketable by the Company do not have readily determinable fair values. The Company estimates the fair value of these instruments using various pricing models and the information available to the Company that it deems most relevant. Among the factors considered by the Company in determining the fair value of financial instruments are discounted anticipated cash flows, the cost, terms and liquidity of the instrument, the financial condition, operating results and credit ratings of the issuer or underlying company, the quoted market price of publicly traded securities with similar duration and yield, the Black-Scholes Options Valuation methodology adjusted for active market, the share price of recent round of financings by an outsider, and other considerations on a case-by-case basis and other factors generally pertinent to the valuation of financial instruments.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates made in the financial statements relate to the valuation of the Company’s non-marketable investments. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Income Taxes

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return. Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred income taxes. Deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. Deferred income taxes are also recognized for net operating loss carryforwards that are available to offset future taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

Ironstone follows the authoritative guidance on accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in tax positions, which requires the Company to determine whether a tax position of Ironstone is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. For tax positions meeting the more likely than not threshold, the tax amount recognized in the financial statements is reduced by the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the relevant taxing authority. The Company has determined that there is no effect on the financial statements from this authoritative guidance.

The Company files tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to examination by federal, state, local, and foreign jurisdictions, where applicable. As of December 31, 2022, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions under the statute of limitations is from the year 2019 forward for Federal and 2018 forward for California (with limited exceptions).

During the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized and paid $1,035 of interest and penalties related to state income and franchise taxes in its statement of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

Ironstone recognizes the fair value of stock options granted on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the option grant, which is the standard vesting term of four years. The Company estimates the fair value of employee stock options and the right to purchase shares under the employee stock purchase plan using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, in accordance with ASC Topic 718, “Stock-based Compensation”.

The full impact of stock-based compensation in the future is dependent upon, among other things, the total number of stock options granted, the fair value of the stock options at the time of grant and the tax benefit that Ironstone may or may not receive from stock-based expenses. Additionally, stock-based compensation requires the use of an option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards. This determination of fair value is affected by Ironstone’s stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, Ironstone’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards.

Basic and Diluted Loss per Share

Basic loss per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares actually outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilution from potentially dilutive securities, except where inclusion of such potentially dilutive securities would have an anti-dilutive effect, using the average stock price during the period in the computation and because of the net loss for the periods presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern” (“ASU 2014-15”). ASU 2014-15 introduces an explicit requirement for management to assess and provide certain disclosures if there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016. The Company has adopted ASU 2014-15.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”. ASU 2018-13 removes certain disclosures, modifies others and introduces additional disclosure requirements for entities. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial fiscal year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2020. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Liquidity

As reflected in the accompanying financial statements the Company has net losses and has a negative cash flow from operations. If necessary the Company may seek to sell additional debt or equity securities or enter into new credit facilities to meet its cash needs. The Company cannot make assurances that it will be able to complete any financing or liquidity transaction, that such financing or liquidity transaction will be adequate for the Company’s needs, or that a financing or liquidity transaction will be completed in a timely manner. These factors raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The accompanying financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recovery and classification of asset carrying amounts or the amount and classification of liabilities that might result should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

2. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined under the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Board (“ASC”) 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures”. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under U.S. GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under ASC 820 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC 820 describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value as follows:

Level 1–Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Valuation adjustments and block discounts are not applied to Level 1 instruments. Since valuations are based on quoted prices that are readily and regularly available in an active market, valuation of these products does not entail a significant degree of judgment.

Level 2–Valuations based on one or more quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3–Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.

In all cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

The carrying value of cash, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and interest payable approximate fair value given their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company's notes payable approximate fair value based on time to maturity and prevailing interest rates.

The following tables provide information about the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31 by the fair value hierarchy:

The following tables presents the Company’s investments measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), including the valuation technique and unobservable inputs used to measure the fair value of those financial instruments:

The following table presents additional information about Level 3 assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis for fiscal years 2022 and 2021. Both observable and unobservable inputs may be used to determine the fair value of positions that the Company has classified within the Level 3 category. As a result, unrealized gains or (losses) during the period for assets and liabilities within the Level 3 category presented in the tables below may include changes in fair value during the period that were attributable to both observable and unobservable inputs.

3. INVESTMENTS

TangoMe, Inc.

On March 30, 2012, the Company purchased 468,121 shares of Series A Preferred stock from related party William R. Hambrecht at $2.14 per share, resulting in a total investment of $1,000,000. During 2018, TangoMe converted all Preferred stock to common stock. TangoMe was valued at $4,781,521 at December 31, 2021. Updating the “MESE” valuation system with current available market data from TangoMe, Inc., results in a “Best-fit” company valuation of $2.3bn which translates to a valuation of $4,303,369 as of December 31, 2022, resulting in a mark-down loss of $478,152 for the twelve months ended December 31, 2022. The investment fair value is based on using a Best-fit valuation for TangoMe Inc. as determined by the MESE big data analysis system and SPAC inquiries for TangoMe, Inc. These are the primary significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s investment.

Buoy Health, Inc.

On March 17, 2021 the Company purchased 11,233 common shares of the private company Buoy Health, Inc. at $15.92 per share, totaling $178,824. During 2022, the investment was marked down $17,882 for the year ended December 31, 2022 reflecting market conditions. The total value of the investment was $160,938 at December 31, 2022.

Arcimoto, Inc.

During fiscal year 2014 the Company purchased 37,000 shares of Arcimoto, Inc. series A-1 preferred stock for $100,011. The A-1 preferred stock was converted to common stock during 2017 prior to Arcimoto filing for its initial public offering. During 2017, prior to the initial public offering, there was a two for one stock split, increasing the shares held to 74,000. On October 2, 2015 the Ironstone Group, Inc. was granted 2,500 Arcimoto options, strike price $4.121 per share, expiration October 2, 2025. Following the two for one stock split, the options held increased to 5,000 with a $2.0605 strike price per share. On September 17, 2017, Arcimoto listed on Nasdaq.

The closing price on December 31, 2021 was $7.78 per share (pre-reverse split price), resulting in a stock holdings valuation of $575,720 and in-the-money options valuation of $28,598 at year-end 2021. During 2022 Arcimoto stock price declined throughout the year, from $7.78 on January 1, 2022 to $0.17 (pre-reverse stock split price) on December 31, 2022. On November 30, 2022, Arcimoto stock went through a 20:1 reverse stock split to enable the stock to continue trading on NASDAQ. Ironstone Properties sold its’ holdings in Arcimoto to cover operating expenses during 2022. The Company holds 1,000 Arcimoto common shares post 20:1 reverse split, at $3.30 per share, for a total value of $3,300 at December 31, 2022. The 250 (post reverse split) Arcimoto stock options have zero value at December 31, 2022.

Aristotle, Inc.

On June 10, 2022 Ironstone Properties, Inc. purchased 5,037 preferred shares of private company Aristotle Inc. from William Hambrecht, CEO at $19.85 per share totaling $100,000. On June 16, 2022 Ironstone Properties, Inc. purchased 5,037 preferred shares of private company Aristotle Inc. from William Mayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors at $19.85 per share totaling $100,000. The total valuation of the investment in Aristotle, Inc. for the year ending December 31, 2022 was $200,000.

4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

On March 10, 2021 William Hambrecht loaned Ironstone Group, Inc. $300,000 at 6.0% interest rate with a March 11, 2026 maturity.

On May 27, 2022 William Hambrecht converted to common stock the entirety of the debt outstanding to him, including the aforementioned loans and related accrued interest owed by the Ironstone Properties, Inc. totaling $824,269 for 404,054 common shares of Ironstone Properties, Inc. at $2.04 per share.

On June 6, 2022 Harold Bradley, Board of Director member Ironstone Properties Inc. purchased 121,212 common shares from Ironstone Properties Inc. at $1.65 per share, totaling $200,000.

On June 10, 2022 Ironstone Properties, Inc. purchased 5,037 preferred shares of private company Aristotle Inc. from William Hambrecht, CEO at $19.85 per share totaling $100,000.

On June 16, 2022 Ironstone Properties, Inc. purchased 5,037 preferred shares of private company Aristotle Inc. from William Mayer, Chairman of the Board of Directors at $19.85 per share totaling $100,000.

5. NOTE PAYABLE

On March 31, 2012, the Company received $1,000,000 from a third party and issued a related promissory note. The note carries an 8% interest rate, per annum, and has a maturity date of March 31, 2017. Interest accrues on the balance and converts to separate notes payable on a quarterly basis. The total amounts due under this agreement, including the notes related to accrued interest, are due in full at the end of the term. The note is secured by all of the assets of the Company through an accompanying security agreement. If the Company defaults on the note or security agreement, interest would accrue at 10% per annum. The Company was unable to meet its payment obligation by the prescribed deadline, therefore the interest rate stepped up to 10% and interest has been accrued using at the stepped up rate starting April 1, 2017.

On November 30, 2022 the Company renewed its’ note for five years, replacing the note issued April 1, 2012. The renewed terms are 7% interest rate, maturing November 30, 2027. The gross amounts payable under the agreement as of December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $2,603,214 and $2,329,510 respectively. As part of the note renewal, a warrant was issued to the lender to purchase 319,021 common shares at $2.04 per share. The warrant has a five year term, expiring November 30, 2027.

On May 27, 2022, William Hambrecht, CEO converted a total of $824,269 of debt and accrued interest for 404,054 shares of Ironstone Properties, Inc. common stock at a price of $2.04 per share.

The scheduled maturities of notes payable outstanding as of December 31, 2022 are as follows:

6. LINE OF CREDIT ARRANGEMENT

The Company has a line of credit arrangement with First Republic Bank (the “lender”) with a borrowing limit of $350,000 with interest based upon the lender’s prime rate plus 4.5% and is payable monthly. At December 31, 2021 and 2020, interest was being paid at a rate of 7.75%. The line is guaranteed by both William R. Hambrecht, Director and Chief Executive Officer, and Robert H. Hambrecht, Director. The line of credit is due on demand and is secured by all of the Company’s business assets. At December 31, 2022 and 2021, the outstanding balance under the line was $348,843. The total recorded interest expense on this note for the years ended December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021 was $27,035 and $27,160 respectively. The interest from January 2020 through March 2021 was paid by William Hambrecht. The Company recorded these payments as interest expense and loan payable to William Hambrecht. The line of credit is pending renewal.

7. INCOME TAXES

ASC 740, “Income Taxes” requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (i) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's deferred income taxes at December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

The reasons for the difference between the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to losses before income tax benefit and the actual income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:

In the opinion of management, based on the uncertainty that the Company will be able to generate taxable income in the future, the realization of the loss carryforwards is not likely and, accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded to offset such amount in its entirety.

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and the state of California. As of December 31, 2022, the tax years that remain subject to examination by the major tax jurisdictions under the statute of limitations is from the year 2018 forward for Federal and 2017 forward for California (with limited exceptions).

At December 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $1,150,237 of net operating loss carryforwards resulting in a Federal deferred tax asset of $241,550 and a state tax asset of $101,681. It is possible that subsequent ownership changes may limit the utilization of these tax attributes. Approximately $295,266 of the federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire in year 2023 through 2042. The remainder of the federal net operating loss carryforwards generated in 2018 and later have indefinite carryforward periods however are limited to 80% of taxable income in any given year. The California net operating loss carryforwards will expire in year 2028 through 2041. Given there is uncertainty as to whether the Company will be profitable in the future, the tax asset is not recognized during 2022.

8. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Common Stock

The Company has 25,000,000 common equity shares authorized, and a total of 3,472,491 are issued and outstanding, including 745,536 common equity shares held in treasury.

On June 6, 2022 Board of Director member Harold Bradley purchased 121,212 new issue common shares from the Company for a total of $200,000 at a price of $1.65 per share.

Treasury Stock

On September 15, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase 745,536 shares of Company common stock at $0.70 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $521,875. The repurchase represented 50.11% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company paid $699 for fractional Treasury shares. As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the treasury shares are held by the Company.

Preferred Stock

The Company is authorized to issue up to five million shares of preferred stock without further shareholder approval; the rights, preferences and privileges of which would be determined at the time of issuance. No shares have been issued as of December 31, 2022 and 2021.

Stock-Based Compensation

Ironstone recognized stock-based compensation expense of $246,808 during the year ended December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2021, Ironstone had an aggregate of $326,598 of stock-based compensation remaining to be amortized to expense over the remaining requisite service period of the underlying options. Ironstone currently expects this stock-based compensation balance to be amortized as follows: $261,584 during fiscal year 2023 and $81,128 during fiscal year 2024.

Stock Option Plans

On April 29, 2021 the Company is revised its 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. As of April 29, 2021, an additional 175,000 options were granted under the Plan, with an exercise price of $1.99 per share, which is based on the weighted average price for the trailing six-month average price and an illiquidity discount of 15%. The options vest straight line over three years and expire seven years following the grant date. The options are amortized over the three-year vesting period. The fair value of these options granted under the Plan were estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following price and assumptions: Stock Price $2.34, Exercise Price $1.99, Time to Maturity 3 years, Risk-free Interest Rate 0.35%, Annualized Volatility 185%. The plan provides for incentive stock options to be granted at times and prices determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. The stock options are to be granted to directors, officers and employees of the Company, as well as certain consultants and other persons providing services to the Company.

The Company previously adopted a 2013 Equity Incentive Plan. The plan provides for incentive stock options to be granted at times and prices determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. The stock options were granted to directors, officers and employees of the Company, as well as certain consultants and other persons providing services to the Company.

70,000 stock options were granted on January 30, 2013. The fair value of these options granted under the Plan were estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following price and assumptions: Stock Price $.20, Exercise Price $.20, Time to Maturity 6.33 years, Risk-free Interest Rate 4%, Annualized Volatility 121%.

An additional 100,000 stock options were granted on August 20, 2013. The fair value of these options granted under the Plan were estimated using the Black-Scholes model with following price and assumptions: Stock Price $1.20, Exercise Price $1.20, Time to Maturity 4.0 years, Risk-free Interest Rate 1.1%, Annualized Volatility 93%.

For the year ended December 31, 2021 the Company recorded share based compensation expense related to stock options in the amount of $246,808.

9. NET INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) for the period by the weighted average number of common and dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period, if dilutive. Potentially dilutive common equivalent shares are composed of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options. The following is the computations of the basic and diluted net income per share and the anti-dilutive common stock equivalents excluded from the computations for the periods presented: