INCOME TAXES

The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31 are as follows:



	Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016		2015			2014
Current:
Federal	$	17,005	$	22,916		$	9,399
State and local	1,734		2,798			195
Total current	18,739		25,714			9,594
Deferred:
Federal	5,959		(5,266		)	3,908
State and local	1,304		(497		)	369
Total deferred	7,263		(5,763		)	4,277
Total income tax expense	$	26,002	$	19,951		$	13,871

A reconciliation of expected income tax expense, computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% in 2016, 2015, and 2014 to income before income taxes and the amounts reflected in the consolidated statements of operations is as follows:



	Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016			2015			2014
Income tax expense at statutory rate	$	26,194		$	20,440		$	14,365
Increase (reduction) in income tax resulting from:
Tax-exempt income, net	(945		)	(931		)	(857		)
State and local income taxes, net	1,673			1,414			741
Bank-owned life insurance, net	(544		)	(462		)	(535		)
Non-deductible expenses	263			259			290
Change in estimated rate for deferred taxes	302			—			—
Tax benefits of LIHTC investments, net	(181		)	(179		)	(158		)
Other, net	(760		)	(590		)	25
Total income tax expense	$	26,002		$	19,951		$	13,871

The amount of tax credits and other tax benefits from low-income housing tax credit ("LIHTC") investments recognized during the year were $1.1 million during each of the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. The amount recognized as a component of income tax expense per the table above was $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the carrying value of the investments related to low-income housing tax credits was $1.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively. No impairment losses have been recognized from forfeiture or ineligibility of tax credits or other circumstances during the life of any of the investments. As of December 31, 2016, the Company has future capital commitments of $0.1 million related to low-income housing tax credit investments. The capital commitments are expected to be called between the years 2017 - 2024.

A net deferred income tax asset of $33.8 million and $38.5 million is included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The tax effect of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities is as follows:



	Years ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016		2015
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$	16,496	$	16,705
Basis difference on PCI assets, net	5,551		8,806
Basis difference on Other real estate	317		328
Deferred compensation	4,217		4,509
Goodwill and other intangible assets	5,520		6,973
Accrued compensation	899		2,222
Unrealized losses on securities available for sale	1,019		—
Other, net	925		907
Total deferred tax assets	34,944		40,450

Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gains on securities available for sale	—		183
State tax credits held for sale, net of economic hedge	376		594
Core deposit intangibles	817		1,178
Total deferred tax liabilities	1,193		1,955
Net deferred tax asset	$	33,751	$	38,495

A valuation allowance is provided on deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion of the assets will not be realized. The Company did not have any valuation allowances for federal or state income taxes as of December 31, 2016 or 2015.

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the federal jurisdiction and in nine states. The Company is no longer subject to federal, state or local income tax audits by tax authorities for years before 2013, with the exception of 2012 being an open year by one state taxing authority. The Company is not currently under audit by any taxing jurisdiction.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense and classifies such interest and penalties in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The amounts accrued for interest and penalties as of December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 were not significant.

As of December 31, 2016, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $1.2 million and the total amount of net unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $0.8 million. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, the total amount of the net unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized, was $0.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively. The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the gross amount of unrecognized benefits will be reduced by approximately $0.3 million as a result of a lapse of statute of limitations in the next 12 months.

The activity in the gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits was as follows:



(in thousands)	2016			2015			2014
Balance at beginning of year	$	1,359		$	1,884		$	1,257
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	239			230			401
Additions for tax positions of prior years	39			46			523
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—			(437		)	—
Settlements or lapse of statute of limitations	(457		)	(364		)	(297		)
Balance at end of year	$	1,180		$	1,359		$	1,884