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INCOME TAXES
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
INCOME TAXES 
INCOME TAXES

Note 11—INCOME TAXES

        For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, our total tax expense was $16.5 million and $55.5 million, respectively, and the effective tax rate was 39.3 percent and 39.6 percent, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, income tax expense was $8.2 million and $18.3 million and the effective tax rate was 41.3 percent and 40.4 percent, respectively. Intrepid's effective income tax rate is impacted primarily by the amount of taxable income associated with each jurisdiction in which Intrepid's income is subject to tax, permanent differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and the benefit associated with the estimated effect of the domestic production activities deduction. Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, and 2010, differ from the amounts that would be provided by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before income taxes primarily as a result of the estimated effects of the domestic production activities deduction and state income taxes. Intrepid's income tax provision is comprised of the elements below (in thousands):

 
  Three months ended   Nine months ended  
 
  September 30, 2011   September 30, 2010   September 30, 2011   September 30, 2010  

Current portion of income tax expense (benefit)

  $ 3,951   $ (4,018 ) $ 12,866   $ (1,031 )

Deferred portion of income tax expense

    12,596     12,205     42,600     19,369  
                   

Total income tax expense

  $ 16,547   $ 8,187   $ 55,466   $ 18,338  
                   

        At September 30, 2011, there were no material uncertain tax positions that would impact Intrepid's effective tax rate. Therefore, no liabilities have been recognized, and no provisions have been made for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.