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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
We are subject to taxation in the United States and various states. The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands): 
 Years Ended December 31,
 202420232022
Current:
U.S. federal provision$13,902 $7,862 $9,490 
State provision3,923 1,847 3,287 
Total current provision$17,825 $9,709 $12,777 
Deferred:
U.S. federal (benefit) provision$(1,338)$2,117 $1,723 
State provision640 1,190 1,313 
Total deferred (benefit) provision$(698)$3,307 $3,036 
Total income tax provision$17,127 $13,016 $15,813 
A reconciliation of income taxes calculated at the U.S. federal statutory rate to those reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is as follows (dollars in thousands): 
 Years Ended December 31,
 202420232022
 AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
Federal statutory rate$10,517 21.0 %$9,750 21.0 %$12,000 21.0 %
Effect of state income taxes, net of federal benefit3,656 7.3 2,421 5.2 3,630 6.3 
Effect of 162(m) officer's compensation limitation
1,717 3.4 — — — — 
Effect of non-deductible expenses and other, net1,019 2.0 864 1.8 59 0.1 
Effect of divestitures and impairment of businesses219 0.5 — — 138 0.2 
Change in valuation allowance, net of federal benefit(1)— (19)— (14)— 
Total$17,127 34.2 %$13,016 28.0 %$15,813 27.6 %
The tax effects of temporary differences from total operations that give rise to significant deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
 Years Ended December 31,
 20242023
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards$483 $694 
Interest expense limitation7,350 6,981 
Tax credit carryforwards51 63 
State depreciation1,096 1,310 
Accrued and other liabilities9,787 6,707 
Amortization of non-compete agreements875 855 
Preneed assets, net312 — 
Lease liabilities4,135 4,347 
Total deferred income tax assets24,089 20,957 
Less: valuation allowance(156)(156)
Total deferred income tax assets$23,933 $20,801 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization$(69,730)$(66,863)
Preneed liabilities— (1,070)
Right-of-use assets(3,670)(3,806)
Prepaid assets and other(1,962)(1,189)
Total deferred income tax liabilities(75,362)(72,928)
Total net deferred tax liabilities$(51,429)$(52,127)
Our deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with related valuation allowances, are classified as non-current on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2024 and 2023. We record a valuation allowance to reflect the estimated amount of deferred tax assets for which realization is uncertain. Management reviews the valuation allowance at the end of each quarter and makes adjustments if it is determined that it is more-likely-than not that the tax benefits will be realized. We recognized an immaterial net decrease in our valuation allowance during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
For state reporting purposes, we have $10.1 million of net operating loss carryforwards that will expire between 2025 and 2043, if not utilized. Based on management’s assessment of the various state net operating losses, it was determined that it is more-likely-than not that we will be able to realize tax benefits on some portion of the amount of the state losses. The valuation allowance at December 31, 2024 was attributable to the deferred tax asset related to a portion of the state operating losses.
We analyze tax benefits for uncertain tax positions and how they are to be recognized, measured, and derecognized in financial statements; provide certain disclosures of uncertain tax matters; and specify how reserves for uncertain tax positions should be classified on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred tax assets recognized for those net operating losses (“NOLs”) are presented net of these unrecognized tax benefits.
At December 31, 2024, the Company’s unrecognized tax benefit (“UTB”) reserve for uncertain tax positions primarily relates to the uncertainty of receiving audit protection for revenue recognition of cemetery property for the benefit derived from carrying back losses generated in 2018 to tax years with a higher effective tax rate than the current 21.0% rate. Our UTB reserve for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $3.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
 Years Ended December 31,
202420232022
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of year$3,382 $3,294 $3,761 
Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period— — (533)
Gross increases - tax positions in prior period— 88 66 
Gross increases - tax positions in current period89 — — 
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of year$3,471 $3,382 $3,294 
At December 31, 2024, we expect that the $3.5 million of UTB will be recognized in the next twelve months. We accrued interest of $0.1 million during 2024 and in total, as of December 31, 2024, recognized a liability related to the UTB's noted above for interest of $0.4 million. During 2023, we accrued interest of $0.1 million and in total, as of December 31, 2023, recognized a liability for interest of $0.3 million.
In 2017, we filed amended returns for the tax years ending December 31, 2013, 2014, 2015, resulting in $1.9 million in refunds. These amended returns were selected for a limited scope audit. Additionally, losses incurred in the tax years ending December 31, 2018, and 2019 were carried back to the tax years 2015 and 2016, generating refunds exceeding $5.0 million, which require Joint Committee approval. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the refunds for the tax years 2013, 2014, and 2015 were received; however, the Joint Committee review is still pending. At December 31, 2024, Carriage had not received final correspondence from the Internal Revenue Service indicating the completion of the audits.
As of December 31, 2024, tax years 2013 to 2023 remain subject to examination by taxing authorities.