INCOME TAXES (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

INCOME TAXES

Schedule of income tax expense (benefit)

	Federal			State			Total
2014
Current	$	(16,509	)	$	(1,852	)	$	(18,361	)
Deferred		44,730			1,603			46,333
Total	$	28,221		$	(249	)	$	27,972
2013
Current	$	7,974		$	(2,867	)	$	5,107
Deferred		15,667			(305	)		15,362
Total	$	23,641		$	(3,172	)	$	20,469
2012
Current	$	(9,018	)	$	(5,246	)	$	(14,264	)
Deferred		37,196			(1,480	)		35,716
Total	$	28,178		$	(6,726	)	$	21,452

Schedule of difference between the total income tax expense and computed tax expense

	2014			2013			2012
Computed "expected" tax expense	$	29,649		$	23,708		$	24,600
Increase (reduction) in taxes due to:
State income taxes net of federal tax benefit		4,871			3,895			4,041
Effect of regulatory treatment of fixed asset differences		(5,541	)		(4,112	)		(7,030	)
State tax credits		—			(2,465	)		—
Investment tax credits		(74	)		(74	)		(74	)
Other		(933	)		(483	)		(85	)
Total income tax	$	27,972		$	20,469		$	21,452

Schedule of tax effects of differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities

	2014		2013
Deferred tax assets:
Developer deposits for extension agreements and contributions in aid of construction	$	44,775	$	44,592
Net operating loss carryforward and tax credits		19,866		9,095
Other		8,904		4,330
Total deferred tax assets		73,545		58,017
Deferred tax liabilities:
Utility plant, principally due to depreciation differences		272,958		231,141
WRAM/MCBA and interim rates balancing accounts		30,871		18,556
Other		4,308		3,789
Total deferred tax liabilities		308,137		253,486
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	234,592	$	195,469

Schedule of reconciliation of changes in unrecognized tax benefits

	December 31, 2014		December 31, 2013		December 31, 2012
Balance at beginning of year	$	612	$	—	$	831
Additions for tax positions taken during prior year		—		—		—
Additions for tax positions taken during current year		7,304		612		—
Reductions for tax positions taken during a prior year		—		—		—
Lapse of statute of limitations		—		—		(831	)
Balance at end of year	$	7,916	$	612	$	—