INCOME TAXES

For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, income before income taxes is broken out between U.S. and foreign-sourced operations and consisted of the following (in thousands):



	2016		2015		2014
Domestic	$	6,174	$	9,470	$	16,961
Foreign	19,212		21,730		14,611

Total	$	25,386	$	31,200	$	31,572

The components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, consisted of the following (in thousands):



	2016			2015			2014

Current expense (benefit):
Federal	$	1,933		$	(17	)	$	1,316
State	492			747			768
Foreign	3,802			3,218			2,644

Total current expense	6,227			3,948			4,728

Deferred expense (benefit):
Federal	(144		)	3,250			4,078
State	(195		)	294			(119		)
Foreign	(623		)	(94		)	(89		)

Total deferred (benefit) expense	(962		)	3,450			3,870

Total income tax expense	$	5,265		$	7,398		$	8,598

The difference between the income tax expense reported and amounts computed by applying the statutory federal rate of 35.0% to pretax income for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, consisted of the following (in thousands):



	2016			2015			2014

Computed federal income tax expense at statutory rate of 35%	$	8,885		$	10,920		$	11,050
State income taxes	193			698			438
Tax credits	(1,164		)	(1,019		)	(888		)
Production activity deduction	(53		)	—			—
Foreign tax rate differential	(3,717		)	(3,564		)	(1,958		)
Uncertain tax positions	597			536			(76		)
Deferred compensation insurance assets	(307		)	182			(81		)
Transaction-related expenses	274			—			—
Other — including the effect of graduated rates	557			(355		)	113

Total income tax expense	$	5,265		$	7,398		$	8,598

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2016 and 2015, consisted of the following temporary differences and carry-forward items (in thousands):



	2016			2015

Deferred income tax assets:
Allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable	$	645		$	531
Accrued compensation expense	6,203			5,534
Inventory differences	1,065			2,043
Net operating loss carryforwards	27,742			11,434
Deferred revenue	73			118
Stock-based compensation expense	2,738			2,532
Federal research and development credit carryforward	3,524			2,355
Foreign tax credits	364			600
Other	6,984			5,754
Total deferred income tax assets	49,338			30,901

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Prepaid expenses	(782		)	(841		)
Property and equipment	(25,108		)	(24,467		)
Intangible assets	(35,773		)	(6,495		)
Other	(1,480		)	(1,077		)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(63,143		)	(32,880		)
Valuation allowance	(3,786		)	(1,981		)
Net deferred income tax assets (liabilities)	$	(17,591	)	$	(3,960	)

Reported as:
Deferred income tax assets - Current	$	8,219		$	7,025
Deferred income tax assets - Long-term	171			—
Deferred income tax liabilities - Current	—			—
Deferred income tax liabilities - Long-term	(25,981		)	(10,985		)
Net deferred income tax liabilities	$	(17,591	)	$	(3,960	)

The long-term deferred income tax balances are not netted as they represent deferred amounts applicable to different taxing jurisdictions. Deferred income tax balances reflect the temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis and are stated at enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. The valuation allowance is primarily related to state credit carryforwards, non-US net operating loss carryforwards, and capital loss carryforwards for which we believe it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance increased by approximately $1.8 million, $378,000, and $240,000 during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

We have not provided U.S. deferred income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on the undistributed earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that are intended to be reinvested indefinitely in operations outside the United States. It is not practical to estimate the amount of additional taxes that might be payable on such undistributed earnings.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had U.S federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $76.4 million and $32.7 million, respectively, which were generated by DFINE, Inc. and Biosphere Medical, Inc. prior to our acquisition of these companies. The increase in our net operating loss carryforwards during 2016 relates to our acquisition of DFINE, Inc. in July 2016. These net operating loss carryforwards, which expire at various dates through 2035, are subject to an annual limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. We anticipate that we will utilize the net operating loss carryforwards over the next 19 years. We utilized a total of approximately $6.2 million and $6.0 million in U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

As of December 31, 2016, we had $3.0 million of non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards, which have no expiration date. As of December 31, 2015, we had $0 of non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. Non-U.S. net operating loss carryforwards utilized during the year ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were not material.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of our business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. In our opinion, we have made adequate provisions for income taxes for all years subject to audit. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, and local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013. In foreign jurisdictions, we are no longer subject to income tax examinations for years before 2010.

Although we believe our estimates are reasonable, the final outcomes of these matters may be different from those which we have reflected in our historical income tax provisions and accruals. Such differences could have a material effect on our income tax provision and operating results in the period in which we make such determination.

The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2016, including interest and penalties, was approximately $2.8 million, of which approximately $2.8 million would favorably impact our effective tax rate if recognized. Approximately $2.3 million of the total liability at December 31, 2016 was presented as a reduction to non-current deferred income tax assets on our consolidated balance sheet. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2015, including interest and penalties, was approximately $2.2 million, of which approximately $2.2 million would favorably impact our effective tax rate if recognized. Approximately $1.4 million of the total liability at December 31, 2015 was presented as a reduction to non-current deferred income tax assets on our consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, we had accrued approximately $216,000 and $187,000 respectively, in total interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. We account for interest and penalties for unrecognized tax benefits as part of our income tax provision. During the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 we added interest and penalties of approximately $30,000, $6,000 and $42,000, respectively, to our liability for unrecognized tax benefits. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months the total liability for unrecognized tax benefits may increase, net of potential decreases due to the expiration of statutes of limitation, up to $500,000.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of liabilities associated with uncertain tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, consisted of the following (in thousands):



Tabular Roll-forward	2016			2015			2014

Unrecognized tax benefits, opening balance	$	1,982		$	1,736		$	2,129
Gross increases in tax positions taken in a prior year	77			187			142
Gross increases in tax positions taken in the current year	856			763			309
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations	(366		)	(704		)	(844		)
Unrecognized tax benefits, ending balance	$	2,549		$	1,982		$	1,736

The tabular roll-forward ending balance does not include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits.