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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was $2.9 million and $2.0 million, respectively, and income tax (benefit) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was ($0.6) million and ($1.1) million, respectively. The increase in income tax expense for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2016 is primarily due to higher pre-tax book income as compared to a loss in the same periods in the prior year. For each period, actual income tax expense (benefit) differed from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% to income (loss) before income taxes due primarily to state and local income tax and fair value adjustments for stock options exercised under the company's share-based compensation program.
As of December 31, 2015, the Company's net deferred tax asset was primarily attributed to temporary differences related to share-based awards. The exercise of these awards during the six months ended June 30, 2016, reduced the deferred tax asset for share-based awards by $32.3 million and increased the deferred tax asset for federal and state net operating losses (“NOLs”) by $14.2 million (after reclaiming taxes paid or owed to Liberty for the 2014 and 2015 tax years).
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the existence of taxable income in the allowable carryback period or 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 level of projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be reduced in the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.
During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company generated a federal NOL of approximately $71.6 million, primarily attributed to the exercise of share-based compensation awards. As allowed under the tax sharing agreement between the Company and Liberty in place prior to the Spin-Off, we can utilize $49.0 million of this NOL to refund federal income taxes paid to Liberty in the prior two tax years. The remaining NOL of $22.6 million can be carried forward to offset federal taxable income generated in future periods. See Note 15 to these condensed consolidated financial statements for further discussion on NOL implications of the Spin-Off.