Note 19 Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures

Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding interest paid and income taxes paid.

Year Ended December 31,	2015		2014		2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest paid	$	134,916	$	108,510	$	96,241
Income taxes paid, net of refunds received		57,442		48,876		175,629

Following are supplemental cash flow disclosures regarding transactions related to stock-based compensation awards. In certain situations, TDS and U.S. Cellular withhold shares that are issuable upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted shares to cover, and with a value equivalent to, the exercise price and/or the amount of taxes required to be withheld from the stock award holder at the time of the exercise or vesting. TDS and U.S. Cellular then pay the amount of the required tax withholdings to the taxing authorities in cash.

TDS:

Year Ended December 31,	2015		2014		2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Common Shares withheld		3,163		109,061		265,748

Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	76	$	2,751	$	7,639

Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		13,405		732		12,092
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes		(76)		(2,751)		(2,438)
Net cash receipts (disbursements) from exercise of
stock options and vesting of other stock awards	$	13,329	$	(2,019)	$	9,654

U.S. Cellular:

Year Ended December 31,	2015		2014		2013
(Dollars in thousands)
Common Shares withheld		228,011		163,355		606,582

Aggregate value of Common Shares withheld	$	8,448	$	6,868	$	25,179

Cash receipts upon exercise of stock options		6,881		5,166		10,468
Cash disbursements for payment of taxes		(4,714)		(4,336)		(4,684)
Net cash receipts from exercise of stock options
and vesting of other stock awards	$	2,167	$	830	$	5,784

Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (“the Recovery Act”), TDS Telecom was awarded and received $93.9 million in federal grants and provided $32.4 million of its own funds to complete 44 projects to provide broadband access in unserved areas. TDS Telecom received $15.1 million, $15.3 million, and $41.9 million in grants in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These funds reduced the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate. TDS Telecom had recorded $14.2 million in grants receivable at December 31, 2014 as a component of Accounts receivable, Other, in the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

On September 27, 2012, the FCC conducted a single round, sealed bid, reverse auction to award up to $300 million in one-time Mobility Fund Phase I support to successful bidders that commit to provide 3G, or better, wireless service in areas designated as unserved by the FCC. This auction was designated by the FCC as Auction 901. U.S. Cellular and several of its wholly-owned subsidiaries participated in Auction 901 and were winning bidders in eligible areas within 10 states and will receive up to $40.1 million in one-time support from the Mobility Fund. These funds when received reduce the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate or offset operating expenses. In connection with these winning bids, in June 2013, U.S. Cellular provided $17.4 million letters of credit to the FCC, of which the entire amount remained outstanding as of December 31, 2015. U.S. Cellular has received $13.4 million in support funds, of which the entire balance has been spent as of December 31, 2015. In 2014, $1.9 million was included as a component of Other assets and deferred charges in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and $11.5 million reduced the carrying amount of the assets to which they relate, which are included in Property, plant and equipment in the Consolidated Balance Sheet. U.S. Cellular has set up a receivable in the amount of $18.4 million as of December 31, 2015 as part of Phase II of the Mobility Fund.