NOTE 10: INCOME TAXES

The components of the provision for income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010:



(In thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Current	$	3,205	$	4,461	$	4,443
Deferred		772		(1,337)		205
Provision for income taxes	$	3,977	$	3,124	$	4,648

Not included in the above table is the income tax impact associated with the unrealized gain or loss on securities available for sale and the income tax impact associated with the funded status of the pension plan, which are recorded directly in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss.

The tax effects of temporary differences and tax credits that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2012 and 2011 are presented below:



(In thousands)	2012		2011
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$	4,309	$	3,974
Post retirement benefit obligation		1,685		1,444
Loan mark-to-market adjustment		2,778		2,627
Deferred compensation		1,293		1,217
Installment sales		180		293
Core deposit intangible		70		108
Interest rate swap		370		492
Other		647		335
Investment in real estate limited partnerships, net		246		86
Total deferred tax assets	$	11,578	$	10,576
Deferred tax liabilities:
Unrealized gain on securities available for sale	$	(3,259)	$	(3,598)
Depreciation		(1,638)		(1,746)
Accrued pension cost		(2,949)		(1,288)
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	(7,846)	$	(6,632)
Net deferred tax asset	$	3,732	$	3,944

In assessing the realizability of our total deferred tax assets, Management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of those assets will not be realized. Based upon Management’s consideration of historical and anticipated future pre-tax income, as well as the reversal period for the items giving rise to the deferred tax assets and liabilities, a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets was not considered necessary at December 31, 2012 and 2011. However, factors beyond management’s controls, such as the general state of the economy can affect future levels of taxable income and there can be no assurances that sufficient taxable income will be generated to fully realize the deferred tax assets in the future.

The following is a reconciliation of the federal income tax provision, calculated at the statutory rate of 35%, to the recorded provision for income taxes:



(In thousands)	2012		2011		2010
Applicable statutory Federal income tax	$	6,710	$	6,210	$	7,038
(Reduction) increase in taxes resulting from:
Tax-exempt income		(719)		(716)		(402)
Tax credits		(2,164)		(2,592)		(2,027)
Other, net		150		222		39
Provision for income taxes	$	3,977	$	3,124	$	4,648

We have not identified any of our tax positions that contain significant uncertainties. Housing tax credits are recognized using the flow through method. We are subject to federal and state income tax examinations for years after December 31, 2009.

The State of Vermont assesses a franchise tax for banks in lieu of income tax. The franchise tax is assessed based on deposits. Vermont franchise taxes, net of state credits amounted to approximately $1.20 million, $1.18 million and $1.07 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, which is included as non-interest expense in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.