(15.) INCOME TAXES

The income tax expense for the years ended December 31 consisted of the following (in thousands):


		2015		2014			2013
Current tax expense (benefit):
Federal	$	8,720	$	7,546		$	8,917
State		21		(75	)		1,913
Total current tax expense		8,741		7,471			10,830
Deferred tax expense (benefit):
Federal		1,440		2,538			1,251
State		358		(384	)		296
Total deferred tax expense		1,798		2,154			1,547
Total income tax expense	$	10,539	$	9,625		$	12,377

Income tax expense differed from the statutory federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31 as follows:


	2015		2014		2013
Statutory federal tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Increase (decrease) resulting from:
Tax exempt interest income	(6.1	)	(5.1	)	(4.8	)
Tax credits and adjustments	(0.7	)	(3.5	)	-
Non-taxable earnings on company owned life insurance	(1.8	)	(1.6	)	(1.6	)
State taxes, net of federal tax benefit	0.7		(0.8	)	3.8
Nondeductible expenses	0.3		0.5		0.2
Goodwill and contingent consideration adjustments	(0.3	)	-		-
Other, net	-		0.2		0.1
Effective tax rate	27.1	%	24.7	%	32.7	%

Total income tax expense (benefit) was allocated as follows for the years ended December 31 (in thousands):


		2015			2014		2013
Income tax expense	$	10,539		$	9,625	$	12,377
Shareholder's equity		(1,456	)		925		(8,817	)

The Company recognizes deferred income taxes for the estimated future tax effects of differences between the tax and financial statement bases of assets and liabilities considering enacted tax laws. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in other assets in the Company's consolidated statements of condition. The Company also assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be realizable based on, among other considerations, future taxable income and establishes, if necessary, a valuation allowance for those deferred tax assets determined to not likely be realizable. A deferred tax asset valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence (both positive and negative), it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The future realization of deferred tax benefits depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income within the carry-back and carry-forward periods. Management's judgment is required in determining the appropriate recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities, including projections of future taxable income.

The Company's net deferred tax asset is included in other assets in the consolidated statements of condition. The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are as follows at December 31 (in thousands):


		2015		2014
Deferred tax assets:
Allowance for loan losses	$	10,452	$	10,666
Deferred compensation		972		938
Investment in limited partnerships		954		953
SERP agreements		767		704
Interest on nonaccrual loans		615		664
Benefit of tax credit carryforwards		502		569
Share-based compensation		538		565
Net unrealized loss on securities available for sale		420		-
Other than temporary impairment of investment securities		-		1,917
Other		328		520
Gross deferred tax assets		15,548		17,496
Deferred tax liabilities:
Prepaid pension costs		5,065		5,346
Intangible assets		2,667		2,662
Depreciation and amortization		1,004		1,249
Net unrealized gain on securities available for sale		-		1,039
Loan servicing assets		479		525
Gross deferred tax liabilities		9,215		10,821
Net deferred tax asset	$	6,333	$	6,675

In March 2014, the New York legislature approved changes in the state tax law that will be phased-in over two years, beginning in 2015. The primary changes that impact us include the repeal of the Article 32 franchise tax on banking corporations ("Article 32A") for 2015, expanded nexus standards for 2015 and a reduction in the corporate tax rate for 2016. The repeal of Article 32A and the expanded nexus standards lowered our taxable income apportioned to New York in 2015 compared to 2014. In addition, the New York state income tax rate will be reduced from 7.1% to 6.5% in 2016.

Based upon the Company's historical and projected future levels of pre-tax and taxable income, the scheduled reversals of taxable temporary differences to offset future deductible amounts, and prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, management believes it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. As such, no valuation allowance has been recorded as of December 31, 2015 or 2014.

The Company and its subsidiaries are primarily subject to federal and New York income taxes. The federal income tax years currently open for audit are 2013 through 2015. The New York income tax years currently open for audit are 2012 through 2015.

At December 31, 2015, the Company had no federal or New York net operating loss carryforwards. The Company has New York tax credits of approximately $800 thousand which have an unlimited carryforward period.

The Company's unrecognized tax benefits and changes in unrecognized tax benefits were not significant as of or for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. There were no material interest or penalties recorded in the income statement in income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013. As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no amounts accrued for interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions.