11.	FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES

Under GAAP, deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and for income tax reporting purposes.

Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax liabilities and assets at December 31 are as follows:

	2015				2014
	(in thousands)
	Current		Long-Term		Current		Long-Term

Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment	$	-	$	76,362	$	-	$	64,341
Unrealized gains on securities		3,250		-		3,918		-
Prepaid expenses and other		3,056		-		3,837		-

Total deferred tax liabilities		6,306		76,362		7,755		64,341

Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for doubtful accounts		208		-		612		-
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward		-		1,378		-		1,206
QAFMV tax credit carryforward		-		864		-		864
New hire tax credit		-		124		-		124
Compensated absences		625		-		564		-
Self-insurance allowances		2,340		-		2,592		-
Share-based compensation		-		230		-		579
Goodwill		-		19		-		28
Marketable equity securities		1,283		-		686		-
Net operating loss carryover		-		3,258		-		4,392
Capital loss carryover		-		-		339		-
Non-competition agreement		-		15		-		23
Other		15		-		11		-

Total deferred tax assets		4,471		5,888		4,804		7,216

Net deferred tax liability	$	1,835	$	70,474	$	2,951	$	57,125

The reconciliation between the effective income tax rate and the statutory Federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is presented in the following table:

	2015				2014				2013
	(in thousands)
	Amount		Percent		Amount		Percent		Amount		Percent

Income tax at the statutory federal rate	$	11,876		34.0	$	7,552		34.0	$	3,288		34.0
Nondeductible expenses		149		0.4		154		0.7		127		1.3
State income taxes/other—net of federal benefit		1,467		4.2		1,015		4.6		341		3.6

Total income tax expense	$	13,492		38.6	$	8,721		39.3	$	3,756		38.9

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:

	2015		2014		2013
	(in thousands)
Current:
Federal	$	98	$	814	$	124
State		493		395		35
		591		1,209		159
Deferred:
Federal		10,782		6,111		2,909
State		2,119		1,401		688
		12,901		7,512		3,597

Total income tax expense	$	13,492	$	8,721	$	3,756

The Company has alternative minimum tax credits of approximately $1,378,000 at December 31, 2015, which have no expiration date under the current federal income tax laws and general business credits of approximately $988,000 which begin to expire after the year 2030. The Company also has net operating loss carryovers for federal income purposes of approximately $8,584,000 which begin to expire after the year 2030.

In determining whether a tax asset valuation allowance is necessary, management, in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740-10-30, weighs all available evidence, both positive and negative to determine whether, based on the weight of that evidence, a valuation allowance is necessary. If negative conditions exist which indicate a valuation allowance might be necessary, consideration is then given to what effect the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and the availability of tax strategies might have on future taxable income to determine the amount, if any, of the required valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, management determined that the future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and available tax strategies would generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its tax assets and therefore a valuation allowance was not necessary.

The Company recognizes a tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on examination by taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. As of December 31, 2015, an adjustment to the Company’s consolidated financial statements for uncertain tax positions has not been required as management believes that the Company’s tax positions taken in income tax returns filed or to be filed are supported by clear and unambiguous income tax laws. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions, if any, in income tax expense. During 2015 and 2014, the Company has not recognized or accrued any interest or penalties related to uncertain income tax positions.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. and Canadian federal income tax laws as well as the income tax laws of multiple state jurisdictions. The major tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates generally provide for a deficiency assessment statute of limitation period of three years and as a result, the Company’s tax years 2012 and forward remain open to examination in those jurisdictions.

The Company contracts with a third-party qualified intermediary in order to maintain a like-kind exchange tax program. Under the program, dispositions of eligible trucks or trailers and acquisitions of replacement trucks or trailers are made in a form whereby any associated tax gains related to the disposal are deferred. To qualify for like-kind exchange treatment, we exchange, through our qualified intermediary, eligible trucks or trailers being disposed with trucks or trailers being acquired that allows us to generally carryover the tax basis of the trucks or trailers sold. The program is expected to result in a significant deferral of federal and state income taxes. Under the program, the proceeds from the sale of eligible trucks or trailers carry a Company-imposed restriction for the acquisition of replacement trucks or trailers. These proceeds may be disqualified under the program at any time and at the Company’s sole discretion; however, income tax deferral would not be available for any sale for which the Company disqualifies the related proceeds. At December 31, 2015, the Company had $484,000 of restricted cash held by the third-party qualified intermediary. At December 31, 2014, the Company had $8,496,000 of restricted cash held by the third-party qualified intermediary. Restricted cash is accounted for in “Accounts receivable-other”.