On December 22, 2017, the President enacted tax reform, which was effective for the company in the fourth quarter of 2017. The Act reduced our corporate statutory rate from 35% to 21%, repealed the domestic manufacturing deduction, and expanded certain permanent differences. In conjunction with tax reform, the SEC provided guidance which allows recording provisional amounts related to tax reform and subsequent adjustments during and up to a one-year measurement period, with the requirement that the accounting be completed in a period not to exceed one year from the date of enactment. Our accounting for the income tax effects of the Act is complete as of December 29, 2018. The company’s prior year financial results included the income tax effects of the Act for which the accounting was complete, and provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the Act for which the accounting was incomplete, but a reasonable estimate could be determined.

In the fourth quarter ending December 30, 2017, a tax benefit of $48.2 million was recorded as an estimate of the impact of the Act. Due to the different federal income tax rates in effect for fiscal 2017 (35%) and fiscal 2018 (21%), the provisional amount was adjusted in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 to reflect the actual timing differences reported on the 2017 federal tax return. The adjustment resulted in a discrete tax benefit of $5.6 million, a reduction to federal income tax payable of $16.4 million and an increase to federal deferred tax liabilities of $10.8 million. The adjustment primarily relates to pension contributions and bonus depreciation on certain assets placed in service during fiscal 2017. There were no adjustments to the provisional estimate recorded in the current quarter.

The company’s provision for income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2018			Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016
Current Taxes:
Federal	$	11,642		$	53,076		$	86,235
State		6,702			7,403			13,983
		18,344			60,479			100,218
Deferred Taxes:
Federal		21,762			(59,385	)		(11,656	)
State		(105	)		(1,921	)		(2,801	)
		21,657			(61,306	)		(14,457	)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	40,001		$	(827	)	$	85,761

Income tax expense (benefit) differs from the amount computed by applying the applicable U.S. federal income tax rate of 21% for fiscal year 2018, and 35% for fiscal years 2017, and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2018			Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016
Tax at U.S. federal income tax rate	$	41,404		$	52,253		$	87,338
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		5,213			3,564			7,266
Tax reform impact		(5,575	)		(48,160	)		—
Section 199 qualifying production activities benefit		—			(5,422	)		(8,007	)
Net share-based payments (windfalls) shortfalls*		1,639			(1,001	)		—
Other		(2,680	)		(2,061	)		(836	)
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	40,001		$	(827	)	$	85,761

*	Applied beginning in fiscal 2017 upon adoption of new guidance.

In 2018, the most significant differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate are the adjustments resulting from the Act and state income taxes. In 2017 the most significant difference was the revaluation of net deferred liabilities resulting from the Act. Absent the Act in 2017 and in 2016, the most significant differences in the effective rate and the statutory rate are state income taxes offset by the Section 199 qualifying production activities deduction.

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

	December 29, 2018			December 30, 2017
Self-insurance	$	5,208		$	4,972
Compensation and employee benefits		8,718			8,836
Deferred income		8,867			8,705
Loss and credit carryforwards		14,027			13,453
Equity-based compensation		4,646			6,831
Hedging		1,397			2,754
Pension and postretirement benefits		10,764			13,344
Other		9,639			9,657
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance		(364	)		(111	)
Deferred tax assets		62,902			68,441
Depreciation		(59,294	)		(47,552	)
Intangibles		(104,380	)		(101,890	)
Other		(1,886	)		(1,975	)
Deferred tax liabilities		(165,560	)		(151,417	)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(102,658	)	$	(82,976	)

The company has a deferred tax asset of $3.7 million related to a federal net operating loss carryforward which we expect to fully utilize before expiration. Additionally, the company and various subsidiaries have a net deferred tax asset of $6.2 million related to state net operating loss carryforwards, and $4.1 million for credit carryforwards with expiration dates through fiscal 2037. The utilization of a portion of these state carryforwards could be limited in the future; therefore, an insignificant 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 $0.8 million and $1.3 million as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, respectively. This change is due to the expiration of the statute of limitations on previously unrecognized tax benefits. These amounts are exclusive of interest accrued and are recorded in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. If recognized, the $0.8 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 $0.1 million at December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, 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 2015, and with limited exceptions, for years prior to 2014 in state jurisdictions.

The following is a reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years 2018, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):

	Fiscal 2018			Fiscal 2017			Fiscal 2016
Unrecognized tax benefit at beginning of fiscal year	$	1,259		$	1,754		$	727
Gross increases		—			—			1,488
Lapses of statutes of limitations		(509	)		(495	)		(461	)
Unrecognized tax benefit at end of fiscal year	$	750		$	1,259		$	1,754

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