INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense (benefit) attributable to earnings consisted of the following components:



	Years ended April 30,
	2019		2018			2017
Current tax expense (benefit):
Federal	$	10,326	$	(7,057	)	41,300
State	3,853		1,769			5,693
	14,179		(5,288		)	46,993
Deferred tax expense (benefit)	45,337		(98,178		)	45,190
Total income tax expense (benefit)	$	59,516	$	(103,466	)	92,183

The tax effects of temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows:



	As of April 30,
	2019			2018
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities and reserves	$	11,705		$	7,978
Property and equipment depreciation	24,661			24,419
Workers compensation	8,277			7,244
Deferred compensation	3,827			3,846
Equity compensation	6,727			7,158
Federal net operating losses	—			2,769
State net operating losses & tax credits	775			2,336
Other	1,033			889
Total gross deferred tax assets	57,005			56,639
Less valuation allowance	47			47
Total net deferred tax assets	56,958			56,592
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment depreciation	(420,710		)	(378,756		)
Goodwill	(21,560		)	(19,548		)
Other	(476		)	(234		)
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	(442,746		)	(398,538		)
Net deferred tax liability	$	(385,788	)	(341,946		)

On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, originally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) was enacted. In accordance with the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 118, the Company reported the provisional impact of the Tax Reform Act in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2018. The measurement period allowed by SAB No. 118 closed during the quarter ended January 31, 2019. The Company did not record any material adjustments to the provisional amounts that were recorded in fiscal 2018.

At April 30, 2019, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of approximately $84,330, which are available to offset future state taxable income. The state net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2021. In addition, the Company had state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $504, which begin to expire in 2022.

There was a valuation allowance of $47 and $47 for state net operating loss deferred tax assets as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The change in the valuation allowance was $0 and $(13) for the years ending April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. 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 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 taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

Total reported tax expense applicable to the Company’s continuing operations varies from the tax that would have resulted from applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rates to income before income taxes:



	Years ended April 30,
	2019		2018		2017
Income taxes at the statutory rates	21.0	%	30.4	%	35.0	%
Impact of Tax Reform Act	0.4	%	(80.5	)%	—	%
Federal tax credits	(2.3	)%	(2.2	)%	(1.8	)%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	4.3	%	3.7	%	2.8	%
Impact of phased-in state law changes, net of federal benefit	(1.8	)%	0.8	%	—	%
ASU 2016-09 Benefit (share based compensation)	(0.6	)%	(0.8	)%	(1.3	)%
Other	1.6	%	0.3	%	(0.5	)%
	22.6	%	(48.3	)%	34.2	%

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. The Company had a total of $7,287 and $6,421 in gross unrecognized tax benefits at April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Of this amount, $5,780 represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. Unrecognized tax benefits increased $866 during the twelve months ended April 30, 2019, due primarily to the increase associated with income tax filing positions for the current year exceeding the decrease related to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:



	2019			2018
Beginning balance	$	6,421		$	5,362
Additions based on tax positions related to current year	2,169			2,010
Additions for tax positions of prior years	—			322
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	—			—
Reductions due to lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(1,303		)	(1,273		)
Settlements	—			—
Ending balance	$	7,287		$	6,421

The total net amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $242 and $191 at April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and is included in other long-term liabilities. Net interest and penalties included in income tax expense for the twelve month periods ended April 30, 2019 and April 30, 2018 was an increase in tax expense of $51 and $50, respectively.

A number of years may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and ultimately settled. It is difficult to predict the ultimate outcome or the timing of resolution for uncertain tax positions. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. These changes could result from the expiration of the statute of limitations, examinations or other unforeseen circumstances. The IRS is currently examining tax year 2012. The Company has no other ongoing federal or state income tax examinations.

At this time, the Company’s best estimate of the reasonably possible change in the amount of the gross unrecognized tax benefits is a decrease of $1,100 during the next twelve months mainly due to the expiration of certain statutes of limitation. The federal statute of limitations remains open for the tax years 2012 and forward. Tax years 2012 and forward are subject to audit by state tax authorities depending on open statute of limitations waivers and the tax code of each state.