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Note 9 - Income Taxes

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

9. INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is comprised of:

(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
Federal, current	$	(94	)	$	(816	)	$	(707	)
Federal, deferred		12,830			7,560			6,897
State, current		187			102			307
State, deferred		1,851			657			(162	)
	$	14,774		$	7,503		$	6,335

Income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is summarized below:

(in thousands)	2014			2013			2012
Computed "expected" income tax expense	$	11,404		$	4,462		$	4,340
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect		1,075			421			409
Per diem allowances		2,304			2,422			2,550
Tax contingency accruals		(104	)		(496	)		(444	)
Valuation allowance (release), net		18			684			(251	)
Tax credits		(112	)		(250	)		(407	)
Other, net		189			260			138
Actual income tax expense	$	14,774		$	7,503		$	6,335

Income tax expense varies from the amount computed by applying the federal corporate income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal income tax effect, adjusted for permanent differences, the most significant of which is the effect of the per diem pay structure for drivers. Drivers who meet the requirements to receive per diem receive non-taxable per diem pay in lieu of a portion of their taxable wages. This per diem program increases our drivers' net pay per mile, after taxes, while decreasing gross pay, before taxes. As a result, salaries, wages, and employee benefits are slightly lower and our effective income tax rate is higher than the statutory rate. Generally, as pre-tax income increases, the impact of the driver per diem program on our effective tax rate decreases, because aggregate per diem pay becomes smaller in relation to pre-tax income, while in periods where earnings are at or near breakeven, the impact of the per diem program on our effective tax rate is significant. Due to the partially nondeductible effect of per diem pay, our tax rate will fluctuate in future periods based on fluctuations in earnings.

The temporary differences and the approximate tax effects that give rise to our net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

(in thousands)	2014			2013
Deferred tax assets:
Insurance and claims	$	16,153		$	11,691
Net operating loss carryovers		18,160			13,681
Other		7,750			6,035
Deferred fuel hedge		8,144			-
Valuation allowance		(1,001	)		(983	)
Total deferred tax assets		49,206			30,424

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment		(103,186	)		(76,280	)
Other		(2,186	)		(4,793	)
Prepaid expenses		(2,838	)		(3,194	)
Total net deferred tax liabilities		(108,210	)		(84,267	)

Net deferred tax liability	$	(59,004	)	$	(53,843	)

Deferred taxes are classified in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet based on the nature of the related asset or liability as current or long-term, such that current deferred tax assets and liabilities provide a net asset of $14.7 million, while long-term deferred tax assets and liabilities provide a net liability of $73.7 million. The net deferred tax liability of $59.0 million primarily relates to differences in cumulative book versus tax depreciation of property and equipment, partially off-set by net operating loss carryovers and insurance claims that have been reserved but not paid. The carrying value of our deferred tax assets assumes that we will be able to generate, based on certain estimates and assumptions, sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions to utilize these deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to establish a valuation allowance against the carrying value of the deferred tax assets, which would result in additional income tax expense. On a periodic basis, we assess the need for adjustment of the valuation allowance. Based on forecasted taxable income resulting from the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, primarily generated by accelerated depreciation for tax purposes in prior periods, and tax planning strategies available to us, no valuation allowance has been established at December 31, 2014 or 2013, except for $1.0 million, for each year, related to certain state net operating loss and capital loss carry-forwards. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to modify our valuation allowance against the carrying value of the deferred tax assets.

The activity in the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets (in thousands) is as follows:

Years ended December 31:	Beginning balance January 1,		Additional provisions to allowance		Write-offs and other deductions			Ending balance December 31,
2014	$	983	$	401	$	(383	)	$	1,001

2013	$	299	$	684	$	-		$	983

As of December 31, 2014, we had a $1.6 million liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits, which includes interest and penalties of $0.7 million. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. As of December 31, 2013, we had a $1.8 million liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits, which included interest and penalties of $0.8 million. Interest and penalties recognized for uncertain tax positions provided for a $0.1 million benefit in 2014, and a $0.3 million benefit in each of 2013 and 2012.

The following tables summarize the annual activity related to our gross unrecognized tax benefits (in thousands) for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012:

	2014			2013			2012
Balance as of January 1,	$	1,060		$	1,563		$	1,979
Increases related to prior year tax positions		246			-			-
Decreases related to prior year positions		-			-			-
Increases related to current year tax positions		42			24			2
Decreases related to settlements with taxing authorities		(126	)		-			-
Decreases related to lapsing of statute of limitations		(227	)		(527	)		(418	)
Balance as of December 31,	$	995		$	1,060		$	1,563

If recognized, $1.1 million and $1.2 million of unrecognized tax benefits would impact our effective tax rate as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Any prospective adjustments to our reserves for income taxes will be recorded as an increase or decrease to our provision for income taxes and would impact our effective tax rate.

Our 2011 through 2014 tax years remain subject to examination by the IRS for U.S. federal tax purposes, our major taxing jurisdiction. In the normal course of business, we are also subject to audits by state and local tax authorities. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, we believe that our reserves reflect the more likely than not outcome of known tax contingencies. We adjust these reserves, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement of any particular issue would usually require the use of cash. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a reduction to our annual tax rate in the year of resolution. We do not expect any significant increases or decreases for uncertain income tax positions during the next year.

Our federal net operating loss carryforwards are available to offset future federal taxable income, if any, through 2030, while our state net operating loss carryforwards and state tax credits expire over various periods through 2032 based on jurisdiction.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

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