Note 20.

Income Taxes

The company’s provision for income tax expense consists of the following for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013:

	Fiscal 2015		Fiscal 2014		Fiscal 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Current Taxes:
Federal	$	75,128	$	72,780	$	73,669
State		10,419		10,294		11,325
		85,547		83,074		84,994
Deferred Taxes:
Federal		16,236		7,691		7,970
State		2,057		1,550		(1,485	)
		18,293		9,241		6,485
Income tax expense	$	103,840	$	92,315	$	91,479

Income tax expense differs from the amount computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate (35%) because of the effect of the following items for fiscal years 2015, 2014, and 2013:

	Fiscal 2015			Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Tax at U.S. federal income tax rate	$	102,560		$	93,819		$	112,831
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		8,556			7,698			6,396
Section 199 qualifying production activities benefit		(6,725	)		(6,892	)		(7,022	)
Bargain purchase		—			—			(17,524	)
Other		(551	)		(2,310	)		(3,202	)
Income tax expense	$	103,840		$	92,315		$	91,479

In 2015 and 2014, the most significant differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate are state income taxes offset by reductions for the Section 199 qualifying production activities deduction. The company’s effective tax rate for 2013 was also impacted by the bargain purchase gain on acquisition, which was recorded net of deferred taxes as a component of income before income taxes. The gain was treated as a permanent item which had a favorable impact on the 2013 tax rate by approximately 5.2%. Tax legislation signed into law on December 18, 2015 had an immaterial impact on the rate.

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are comprised of the following:

	January 2, 2016			January 3, 2015
	(Amounts in thousands)
Self-insurance	$	6,073		$	6,294
Compensation and employee benefits		13,632			12,898
Deferred income		10,102			9,896
Loss and credit carryforwards		21,839			21,421
Equity-based compensation		13,676			15,597
Hedging		6,391			7,153
Pension		23,981			30,160
Postretirement benefits		6,427			6,796
Intangible assets		4,718			4,763
Other		10,409			10,674
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance		(18	)		(2,534	)
Deferred tax assets		117,230			123,118
Depreciation		(79,667	)		(79,480	)
Intangible assets		(180,216	)		(107,188	)
Other		(3,809	)		(3,780	)
Deferred tax liabilities		(263,692	)		(190,448	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(146,462	)	$	(67,330	)

The company has a deferred tax asset of $12.1 million related to a federal net operating loss carryforward which we expect to fully utilize. Additionally, the company and various subsidiaries have a net deferred tax asset of $6.7 million related to state net operating loss carryforwards, and $3.0 million for credit carryforwards with expiration dates through fiscal 2035. The utilization of a portion of these state carryforwards could be limited in the future; therefore, an immaterial valuation allowance has been recorded. Should the company determine at a later date that certain of these losses which have been reserved for may be utilized, a benefit may be recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Likewise, should the company determine at a later date that certain of these net operating losses for which a deferred tax asset has been recorded may not be utilized, a charge to the Consolidated Statements of Income may be necessary.

The gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $0.7 million and $2.1 million as of January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, respectively. This change is primarily due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on several previously unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts are exclusive of interest accrued and are recorded in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. If recognized, the $0.7 million (less $0.2 million related to tax imposed in other jurisdictions) would impact the effective rate.

The company accrues interest expense and penalties related to income tax liabilities as a component of income before taxes. No accrual of penalties is reflected on the company’s balance sheet as the company believes the accrual of penalties is not necessary based upon the merits of its income tax positions. The company had an accrued interest balance of approximately $0.1 million and $0.3 million at January 2, 2016 and January 3, 2015, respectively.

The company defines the federal jurisdiction as well as various state jurisdictions as “major” jurisdictions. The company is no longer subject to federal examinations for years prior to 2012, and with limited exceptions, for years prior to 2011 in state jurisdictions. The company is currently under audit by the IRS for the fiscal 2012 through 2014 tax years. At this time, we do not expect the impact of the audit to have a material effect on our financial statements.

The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013:

	Fiscal 2015			Fiscal 2014			Fiscal 2013
	(Amounts in thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of fiscal year	$	2,107		$	4,809		$	7,304
Gross increases — acquisitions		—			—			500
Lapses of statutes of limitations		(1,380	)		(2,702	)		(2,995	)
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of fiscal year	$	727		$	2,107		$	4,809

At this time, we do not anticipate material changes to the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months.