13. Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) for the years ended December 31 consists of the following:


	Current		Deferred		Total
2015
U.S. federal	$	5,659	$	(3,808)	$	1,851
State and local		3,169		2,508		5,677
	$	8,828	$	(1,300)	$	7,528


	Current		Deferred		Total
2014
U.S. federal	$	13,553	$	(2,416)	$	11,137
State and local		4,450		(2,391)		2,059
	$	18,003	$	(4,807)	$	13,196


	Current		Deferred		Total
2013
U.S. federal	$	717	$	3,478	$	4,195
State and local		756		975		1,731
	$	1,473	$	4,453	$	5,926

Income tax expense differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to pretax income as a result of the following:


	December 31,
	2015		2014		2013
Tax at federal statutory rate	$	(10,185)	$	10,073	$	2,109
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit		1,335		2,144		830
Effect of state rate changes		1,263		(89)		1,036
Nondeductible equity-based compensation		1,316		728		1,725
Nondeductible equity-based compensation plan modification		13,115		—		—
Nondeductible expenses, tax reserve adjustments, and other, net		684		340		226
	$	7,528	$	13,196	$	5,926

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities at December 31 are presented below:


	2015		2014
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable	$	319	$	257
Accrued liabilities		806		188
Net operating loss carryforward		320		610
Equity-based compensation expense		9,054		4,002
Total gross deferred tax assets		10,499		5,057
Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses		1,764		1,158
Capital lease		877		523
Property and equipment		6,031		4,113
Intangible assets and goodwill		127,006		125,742
Total gross deferred tax liabilities		135,678		131,536
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	125,179	$	126,479

In assessing the reliability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the planned reversal of deferred tax liabilities and the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes, as of December 31, 2015, it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences.

At December 31, 2015, the Company has available unused net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $900,000 that may be applied against future taxable income and expire in years ending December 31, 2025 through 2033. The Company has not recorded a valuation allowance as sufficient positive evidence exists to support the Company’s conclusion that it will generate enough taxable income to utilize the net operating loss carryforwards prior to their expiration.

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, no liability has been recorded for uncertain tax positions.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits may significantly change in the next 12 months due to audit activity, tax payments, or final decisions in matters that are the subject of controversy in various taxing jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company is not able to reasonably estimate the amount or the future periods in which changes in unrecognized tax benefits will be required.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state and local jurisdictions and is therefore subject to periodic audits by these tax authorities. The Company is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for 2012 and later years.