	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
	(In thousands)
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	$	854,147	$	833,483	$	880,244
Cash received for interest		21,380		138,529		201,480
Cash paid for income taxes (1)		16,014		160,732		273,597
Capitalized interest		369,897		223,658		136,508
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock		26,026		25,781		24,230
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations		—		3,462		1,070
Satellite and Tracking Stock Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net		—		432,080		—
Investment in EchoStar and HSSC preferred tracking stock - cost method		—		316,204		—
Transfer of liabilities and other		—		44,540		—
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $31,274		—		51,466		—
Sling TV Exchange Transaction with EchoStar:
Transfer of property and equipment, net		—		8,978		—
Transfer of investments and intangibles, net		—		25,097		—
Capital distribution to EchoStar, net of deferred taxes of $3,542		—		5,845		—
Deemed distribution to EchoStar- initial fair value of redeemable noncontrolling interest, net of deferred taxes of $8,489		—		14,011		—

(1)

Cash paid for income taxes during 2015 was reduced by, among other things, our non-controlling investments in the Northstar Entities and the SNR Entities, which hold the Northstar Licenses and the SNR Licenses, respectively, as well as our H Block Licenses acquired in 2014. These licenses are amortized over a fifteen-year life for income tax purposes. For book purposes, these licenses are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets, which are not amortized but are tested for impairment annually. See Note 2 for further information.