The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method under ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Additionally, the Company must assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered as deductions from future taxable income. The Company has provided a full valuation allowance on the Company’s deferred tax assets because the Company believes it is more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company evaluates the recoverability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis. Currently, there is no provision for income taxes as the Company has incurred losses to date.

The components of (loss) before income taxes are as follows:

The reconciliation of income tax provision (benefit) at the US corporation tax rate, being the rate applicable to the country of domicile of Xenetic Biosciences, Inc. to net income tax provision (benefit) is as follows (prior periods at UK rates):

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets are as follows:

For the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had UK net operating loss carryforwards of $45.99 million and $41.7 million, respectively, US federal net operating loss carryforwards of $2.95 million and $692,153, respectively, US state net operating loss carryforwards of $2.92 million and $690,942, respectively, and Germany net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $1.25 million and $1.14 million, respectively. The UK and Germany net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely. The US federal and state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2032.

The Company’s ability to use its operating loss carryforwards and tax credits generated in the US to offset future taxable income is subject to restrictions under Section 382 of the United States Internal Revenue Code (the “Internal Revenue Code”). These restrictions may limit the future use of the operating loss carryforwards and tax credits if certain ownership changes described in the Internal Revenue Code occur. Future changes in stock ownership may occur that would create further limitations on the Company’s use of the operating loss carryforwards and tax credits. In such a situation, the Company may be required to pay income taxes, even though significant operating loss carryforwards and tax credits exist.

The Company’s ability to use its operating loss carryforwards and tax credits generated in the UK are subject to restrictions under UK tax legislation. These regulations may limit the future use of operating loss carryforwards if there is a change in ownership and a change in the nature or conduct of the business carried on by the Company, and in certain circumstances where there is a change in the nature or conduct of the business only. In such cases the carryforwards would cease to be available to set against future income.

The Company’s ability to use its operating loss carryforwards and tax credits generated in Germany are also subject to restrictions under German tax legislation. These regulations may limit the future use of operating loss carryforwards if there is a change in ownership. In such cases the carryforwards would cease to be available to set against future income.

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded uncertain tax positions of zero and $185,961, respectively, due to a claim for research and development tax credits. A full valuation allowance has been provided against the Company’s research and development credits in 2013. In 2014, the Company determined that it is unable to obtain and compile the necessary information to support and defend the recoverability of the research and development tax credits, resulting in the write-off of the previously fully reserved balance. The changes to uncertain tax positions for 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

The Company files income tax returns in the US federal tax jurisdiction and Massachusetts state tax jurisdiction, and certain foreign tax jurisdictions. Since the Company is in a loss carryforward position, the Company is generally subject to examination by the US federal, state, foreign, and local income tax authorities for all tax years in which a loss carryforward is available. The Company is not currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Subject to the research and development tax credit claim referred to above, the Company is not currently under examination by any other jurisdiction for these years. The Company has not recorded any interest or penalties for unrecognized tax benefits since its inception.