INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	NOTE D – INCOME TAXES The Company’s statutory federal tax rate is 35%. State tax rates vary among states and average approximately 6.0% to 6.5%, although some state rates are higher and a small number of states do not impose an income tax. The effective tax benefit rate was 41.4% and 37.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. The three-month period ended March 31, 2016 reflects a benefit of 2.9% related to the alternative fuel tax credit which expired December 31, 2016. An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation became effective in the first quarter of 2017. The amendment was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation by requiring the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment in the first quarter of 2017, the tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflects a benefit of 0.6%. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year. As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, which will reverse in future years, exceeded the deferred tax assets. The Company evaluated the total deferred tax assets at March 31, 2017 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss and state contribution carryforwards, the assets did not exceed the amount for which realization is more likely than not. In making this determination, the Company considered the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. The Company paid state income taxes of less than $0.1 million and paid state and foreign income taxes of $1.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company received refunds of less than $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years.

NOTE D – INCOME TAXES

The Company’s statutory federal tax rate is 35%. State tax rates vary among states and average approximately 6.0% to 6.5%, although some state rates are higher and a small number of states do not impose an income tax. The effective tax benefit rate was 41.4% and 37.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. The three-month period ended March 31, 2016 reflects a benefit of 2.9% related to the alternative fuel tax credit which expired December 31, 2016.

An amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation became effective in the first quarter of 2017. The amendment was issued to simplify the accounting for share-based compensation by requiring the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment in the first quarter of 2017, the tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflects a benefit of 0.6%. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year.

As of March 31, 2017, the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, which will reverse in future years, exceeded the deferred tax assets. The Company evaluated the total deferred tax assets at March 31, 2017 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss and state contribution carryforwards, the assets did not exceed the amount for which realization is more likely than not. In making this determination, the Company considered the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies.

The Company paid state income taxes of less than $0.1 million and paid state and foreign income taxes of $1.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 the Company received refunds of less than $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years.