	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2017		2016		2015
	(In thousands)
Cash paid for interest (including capitalized interest)	$	996,183	$	775,300	$	854,147
Cash received for interest		6,925		15,020		21,380
Cash paid for income taxes (1)		40,362		439,570		16,014
Capitalized interest (2)		1,015,901		844,330		369,897
Initial equity component of the 2 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2024, net of deferred taxes of $92,512 (3)		159,869		—		—
Initial equity component of the 3 3/8% Convertible Notes due 2026, net of deferred taxes of $286,322		—		487,521		—
Employee benefits paid in Class A common stock		23,164		25,146		26,026
Satellites and other assets financed under capital lease obligations		1,573		7,850		7,931
Vendor financing		—		20,000		—

(1)

As a result of, among other things, the FCC granting our application to acquire the 600 MHz Licenses and less taxable income during 2017, cash paid for income taxes was significantly lower than in the prior period. Certain changes resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Reform Act”), including, among other things, limitations on the deductibility of interest, may increase cash paid for income taxes in 2018.

(2)

See Note 2 for further information.

(3)

See Note 9 for further information.