INCOME TAXES

Significant components of the provision or benefit for income taxes for the years ended December 31 were as follows:



	2013			2012			2011
	(in thousands)

Current provision (benefit):
Federal	$	12,739		$	—		$	(872	)
State	865			694			487
Foreign	413			405			489
	14,017			1,099			104

Deferred provision (benefit):
Federal	(10,335		)	(8,656		)	2,664
State	160			(1,699		)	415
Foreign	(192		)	(4		)	(23		)
	(10,367		)	(10,359		)	3,056
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	3,650		$	(9,260	)	$	3,160

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

Significant components of the deferred tax provision or benefit for the years ended December 31 were as follows:



	2013			2012			2011
				(in thousands)
Amortization, depreciation, and basis differences for property, plant and equipment, other long‑lived assets	$	(13,137	)	$	137		$	15,059
Amortization of intangibles	(3,048		)	(1,604		)	—
Changes in reserves for workers’ compensation and cargo claims	(1,751		)	(3,319		)	(970		)
Revenue recognition	(1,704		)	(253		)	654
Allowance for doubtful accounts	516			229			(705		)
Foreign tax credit carryforward	71			(133		)	(240		)
Nonunion pension and other retirement plans	3,493			702			(4,885		)
Deferred compensation plans	530			669			853
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	4,207			(2,538		)	(680		)
State net operating loss carryforwards	254			(725		)	705
State depreciation adjustments	569			20			(1,179		)
Share‑based compensation	(1,437		)	(702		)	(941		)
Valuation allowance decrease	(1,436		)	(3,180		)	(782		)
Leases	612			806			(316		)
Other accrued expenses	3,284			(1,586		)	(863		)
Other	(1,390		)	1,118			(2,654		)
Deferred tax provision (benefit)	$	(10,367	)	$	(10,359	)	$	3,056

Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 were as follows:



	2013			2012
	(in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses	$	50,311		$	51,715
Pension liabilities	4,404			34,163
Postretirement liabilities other than pensions	6,349			7,127
Share‑based compensation	5,898			6,034
Federal and state net operating loss carryforwards	9,840			14,071
Other	1,877			2,092
Total deferred tax assets	78,679			115,202
Valuation allowance	(1,028		)	(2,511		)
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	77,651			112,691

Deferred tax liabilities:
Amortization, depreciation, and basis differences for property, plant and equipment, and other long‑lived assets	61,673			73,558
Intangibles	34,385			37,282
Revenue recognition	4,264			4,268
Prepaid expenses	3,875			3,647
Total deferred tax liabilities	104,197			118,755
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(26,546	)	$	(6,064	)

Reconciliation between the effective income tax rate, as computed on income or loss before income taxes, and the statutory federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31 is presented in the following table:



	2013			2012			2011
	(in thousands)

Income tax provision (benefit) at the statutory federal rate	$	6,811		$	(5,947	)	$	3,323
Federal income tax effects of:	0
State income taxes	(359		)	352			(316		)
Nondeductible expenses	1,090			1,415			1,079
Life insurance proceeds and changes in cash surrender value	(1,320		)	(752		)	(906		)
Dividends received deduction	(9		)	(5		)	—
Alternative fuel tax credit	(1,935		)	—			(995		)
Decrease in valuation allowances	(1,436		)	(3,180		)	(211		)
Other	(440		)	(539		)	(182		)
Federal income tax provision (benefit)	2,402			(8,656		)	1,792
State income tax provision (benefit)	1,026			(1,005		)	902
Foreign income tax provision	222			401			466
Total provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	3,650		$	(9,260	)	$	3,160
Effective tax (benefit) rate	18.8		%	(54.5		)%	33.3		%

Income taxes paid totaled $13.4 million, $5.3 million, and $5.2 million in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively, before income tax refunds of $8.1 million, $7.1 million, and $4.6 million in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively.

The tax benefit for exercised options and the tax benefit of dividends on share‑based payment awards, which were reflected in paid‑in capital, were $0.2 million for 2013 and an immaterial amount for 2012 and 2011.

The Company had state net operating loss carryforwards of $87.5 million and state contribution carryforwards of $1.2 million at December 31, 2013. These state net operating loss and contribution carryforwards expire in 5 to 20 years, with the majority of state expirations in 15 or 20 years. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had valuation allowances of $0.7 million related to foreign tax credit carryforwards and $0.3 million related to foreign net operating loss carryforwards, due to the uncertainty of realization of these items. Foreign tax credit carryforwards expire in 6 to 10 years. A valuation allowance of $1.5 million for certain state net operating losses and state deferred tax assets of the Company’s subsidiaries was reversed during 2013 as management determined the realization of the assets was more likely than not and that this valuation allowance was no longer required. Management’s determination was due to current and anticipated utilization of state net operating losses as a result of improved operating results in 2013, which used some state loss carryforwards and other factors that arose in 2013 including the finalization of of a new labor contract in November.

Federal income tax returns filed for tax years through 2009 are closed by the applicable statute of limitations. During 2012, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) notified the Company that the tax return for 2010 would be audited. The field work on this examination began in late 2012, and it is still in process at December 31, 2013. The Company is under examination by certain other taxing authorities. Although the outcome of such audits is always uncertain and could result in payment of additional taxes, the Company does not believe the results of any of these audits will have a material effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

For periods subsequent to the June 15, 2012 acquisition date, Panther has been included in consolidated federal income tax returns filed by the Company and in consolidated or combined state income tax returns in states permitting or requiring consolidated or combined income tax returns for affiliated groups such as the Company and its subsidiaries. For periods prior to the acquisition date, Panther and its subsidiaries filed as an affiliated group on a stand‑alone basis. The 2009 federal tax return of Panther was examined by the IRS and a report of no change was issued in 2013. Panther federal tax returns for years through 2009 are now closed by the statute of limitations. At December 31, 2013, Panther had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $14.8 million from periods ending on or prior to June 15, 2012. State net operating loss carryforwards for the same periods are approximately $18.5 million. Federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire if not used within 18 years. State carryforward periods for Panther vary from 5 to 20 years. For federal tax purposes and for most states, the use of such carryforwards is limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”). The limitation applies by restricting the amount of net operating loss carryforwards that may be used in individual tax years subsequent to the acquisition date. However, it is not expected that the Section 382 limitation will result in the expiration of net operating loss carryforwards prior to their availability under Section 382.

The Company determined that no reserves for uncertain tax positions were required at December 31, 2012 and 2011 or during the years then ended. The Company established a reserve for uncertain tax positions of $0.3 million at December 31, 2013. The reserve relates to certain credits claimed on an amended federal return for 2009. No regulations have been issued by the IRS relating to the credit and there is no other guidance or case law applicable to the credit. The Company has no information on how the IRS may interpret the related statute, the manner of calculation, and how the credit applies in the Company’s circumstances. As a result, the Company does not believe the credit meets the standard for recognition at December 31, 2013 under the applicable accounting standards.

At December 31, 2013 and 2012, no accrued interest related to state income taxes to be paid on amended returns was required and at December 31, 2011, interest accrued on such state tax obligations totaled $0.1 million. Interest of less than $0.1 million in 2013, 2012, and 2011 was paid related to federal and state income taxes. Interest of $0.2 million was accrued in 2012 for certain foreign income tax obligations. Interest of $0.2 million was paid in 2013 on the foreign income tax obligations, and accrued interest on the foreign income tax obligations of less than $0.1 million remained at December 31, 2013.