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INCOME TAXES
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
For the second quarter of 2024, income tax expense was $14.0 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 18.7% compared to income tax expense of $15.5 million and an effective tax rate of 19.1% for the comparable period in 2023. For the first six months of 2024, income tax expense was $25.0 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 18.3% compared with $32.8 million and an effective tax rate of 19.4% for the comparable period in 2023. The lower effective tax rate in 2024 is primarily driven by tax credits realized in 2024 as well as lower taxable income.
At both June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, First Financial had no unrecognized tax benefits. As defined by FASB ASC Topic 740-10, Income Taxes, an unrecognized tax benefit is a position that if recognized would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in future periods. First Financial recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties as income tax expense. At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company had no interest or penalties recorded.

First Financial and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as state and local income tax in several jurisdictions.  Tax years prior to 2020 have been closed and are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations. Tax years 2020 through 2023 remain open to examination by the federal taxing authority. First Financial is no longer subject to state and local income tax examinations for years prior to 2019.