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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES
Income tax expense attributable to earnings consisted of the following components:
 Years ended April 30,
 202420232022
Current tax expense:
Federal$78,542 $95,336 $4,382 
State22,394 22,365 13,835 
100,936 117,701 18,217 
Deferred tax expense53,252 23,126 82,721 
Total income tax expense$154,188 $140,827 $100,938 
The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows: 
 As of April 30,
 20242023
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities and reserves$9,075 $7,031 
Deferred revenue15,222 15,565 
Accrued bonus compensation10,272 9,361 
Workers compensation 11,281 11,500 
Operating and finance lease obligations55,739 52,464 
Asset retirement obligations10,036 9,404 
Deferred compensation2,909 3,242 
Equity compensation8,018 8,305 
State net operating losses and tax credits2,568 1,807 
Other4,523 3,551 
Total gross deferred tax assets129,643 122,230 
Less valuation allowance550 250 
Total net deferred tax assets129,093 121,980 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment depreciation(667,680)(617,154)
Goodwill(52,900)(43,900)
Other(5,363)(4,524)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities(725,943)(665,578)
Net deferred tax liability$(596,850)$(543,598)
At April 30, 2024, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $126,681, which are available to offset future state taxable income. The state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2031. In addition, the Company had state tax credit carryforwards of $2,319, which begin to expire in 2027.
The valuation allowance for state net operating loss and state tax credit deferred tax assets as of April 30, 2024 and 2023 was $550 and $250, respectively. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
Total reported tax expense applicable to the Company’s continuing operations varies from the tax that would have resulted from applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rates to income before income taxes.
 Years ended April 30,
 202420232022
Income taxes at the statutory rates21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %
Federal tax credits(1.0)%(1.3)%(1.8)%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit3.7 %4.0 %3.8 %
Impact of phased-in state law changes, net of federal benefit(1.0)%(0.4)%(0.8)%
ASU 2016-09 benefit (share-based compensation)(0.1)%(0.3)%(1.0)%
Nondeductible executive compensation0.9 %1.1 %1.2 %
Other— %(0.1)%0.5 %
23.5 %24.0 %22.9 %
The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company had a total of $10,747 and $10,957 in gross unrecognized tax benefits at April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Of this amount, $8,490 represents the amount of unrecognized tax
benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. Unrecognized tax benefits decreased $210 during the twelve months ended April 30, 2024, due primarily to the expiration of certain statute of limitation exceeding the increase associated with income tax filing positions for the current year. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
20242023
Beginning balance$10,957 $10,259 
Additions based on tax positions related to current year2,570 2,867 
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations(2,780)(2,169)
Ending balance$10,747 $10,957 
The total net amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $350 and $386 at April 30, 2024 and 2023, respectively, and is included in other long-term liabilities. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the twelve month periods ended April 30, 2024 and 2023 was an decrease in tax expense of $36 and an increase in tax expense of $15, respectively.
A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the expiration of the statute of limitations, examinations or other unforeseen circumstances. The Company has no ongoing federal or state income tax examinations.
At this time, the Company’s best estimate of the reasonably possible change in the amount of the gross unrecognized tax benefits is a decrease of $2,000 during the next twelve months mainly due to the expiration of certain statute of limitations. The federal statute of limitations remains open for the tax years 2020 and forward. Tax years 2019 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on open statute of limitations waivers and the tax code of each state.