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Note 8 - Accounting for Income Tax and Uncertainties
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE 8. ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAX AND UNCERTAINTIES


The Company's provision for income taxes includes both federal and state income taxes and reflects the application of federal and state statutory rates to the Company's income before taxes. The principal difference between statutory tax rates and the Company's effective tax rate is the benefit derived from investing in tax-exempt securities; bank owned life insurance, federal tax credits afforded through the Company’s participation in qualified affordable housing project investments.


Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. Under this method a deferred tax asset or liability is determined based on the enacted tax rates which will be in effect when the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and tax basis of existing assets and liabilities are expected to be reported in the Company’s income tax returns. The effect on deferred taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established to reduce the net carrying amount of deferred tax assets if it is determined to be more likely than not, that all or some portion of the potential deferred tax asset will not be realized.


The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC 740, Income Taxes, relating to the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. The Company periodically reviews its income tax positions based on tax laws and regulations, and financial reporting considerations, and records adjustments as appropriate. This review takes into consideration the status of current taxing authorities’ examinations of the Company’s tax returns, recent positions taken by the taxing authorities on similar transactions, if any, and the overall tax environment. The Company’s uncertain tax positions were nominal in amount.


The Company’s effective income tax rate was 21.23% for the six months ended June 30, 2014, compared with 27.50% for the same period a year ago. The Company’s effective tax rate is derived from the sum of income tax expense divided by pretax income.


The decrease in the effective tax rate during the six months ended June 30, 2014 compared to the same period a year ago was primarily driven by increased investments in affordable housing projects. Investments in these projects afford the Company certain federal and state tax credits that in turn lower the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company began to realize the benefits of these tax credits during the six months ended June 30, 2014. See Note 9 below for further detail regarding the Company’s investments in affordable housing project investments.