(9) Income Tax Expense

We, including the USA Compression Predecessor, are subject to the Texas Franchise Tax, which applies a tax to our gross margin. We do not conduct business in any other state where a similar tax is applied. The Texas Franchise Tax requires certain forms of legal entities, including limited partnerships, to pay a tax of 0.75% on its “margin,” as defined in the law, based on annual results. The tax base to which the tax is applied is the least of (1) 70% of total revenues for federal income tax purposes, (2) total revenue less cost of goods sold or (3) total revenue less compensation for federal income tax purposes.

Components of our income tax expense (benefit) are as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017		2016
Current tax expense (benefit)	$	189	$	42	$	(8)
Deferred tax expense (benefit)		(2,663)		1,801		(155)
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	(2,474)	$	1,843	$	(163)

Deferred income tax balances are the direct effect of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities at the enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when the taxes are actually paid or recovered. The tax effects of temporary differences related to property and equipment that give rise to deferred tax liabilities, included in other liabilities, are as follows (in thousands):

The Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740 Income Taxes (“ASC Topic 740”) provides guidance on measurement and recognition in accounting for income tax uncertainties and provides related guidance on derecognition, classification, disclosure, interest, and penalties. As of December 31, 2018, we had no material unrecognized tax benefits (as defined in ASC Topic 740). We do not expect to incur interest charges or penalties related to our tax positions, but if such charges or penalties are incurred, our policy is to account for interest charges as Interest expense, net and penalties as Income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 provides that any tax adjustments (including any applicable penalties and interest) resulting from partnership audits will generally be determined at the partnership level for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017. To the extent possible under the new rules, our general partner may elect to either pay the taxes (including any applicable penalties and interest) directly to the Internal Revenue Service or, if we are eligible, issue a revised information statement to each unitholder and former unitholder with respect to an audited and adjusted return. The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 allows a partnership to elect to apply these provisions to any return of the partnership filed for partnership taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment, November 2, 2015. We do not intend to elect to apply these provisions for any tax return filed for partnership taxable years beginning before January 1, 2018.

December 31,

Deferred tax liability - Property and equipment