16.

INCOME TAXES

Income tax provision (benefit) consists of the following (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018		2017			2016
Current income tax provision:
Federal	$	33,578	$	41,177		$	26,752
State		7,674		5,420			2,798

		41,252		46,597			29,550

Deferred income tax provision:
Federal		988		1,177			5,217
State		49		(983	)		216

		1,037		194			5,433

Total income tax provision	$	42,289	$	46,791		$	34,983

The income tax provision differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the U.S. Federal statutory rate to income before taxes as a result of the following (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2018			2017			2016
U.S. Federal statutory taxes	$	37,141		$	49,671		$	35,990
State and local taxes, net of U.S. Federal benefit		7,716			5,110			3,747
Permanent items		470			576			396
Excess tax benefits from vesting or settlement of stock compensation awards		(2,368	)		(1,454	)		(1,749	)
Domestic production activities deduction		—			(4,376	)		(2,740	)
Federal credits		(662	)		(534	)		(488	)
Other		(8	)		(2,202	)		(173	)

Total income tax provision	$	42,289		$	46,791		$	34,983

Deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):


	As of December 31,
	2018			2017
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses	$	79		$	123
Residential product warranty reserve		7,804			8,876
Stock-based compensation		1,725			1,823
Accruals not currently deductible and other		3,928			1,838
Inventories		4,682			3,783
State tax credit carryforwards		3,400			3,619

Gross deferred tax assets, before valuation allowance		21,618			20,062
Valuation allowance		(3,015	)		(3,096	)

Gross deferred tax assets, after valuation allowance		18,603			16,966

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation		(13,893	)		(12,046	)
Goodwill amortization		(3,774	)		(2,781	)
Inventories and other		(3,061	)		(3,228	)

Gross deferred tax liabilities		(20,728	)		(18,055	)

Net deferred tax liability	$	(2,125	)	$	(1,089	)

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the difference between the financial statement basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted rates expected to be in effect during the year in which the differences reverse. In accordance with accounting standards, the Company assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, after considering all available positive and negative evidence, it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company has recognized the tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Act) in its consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2017. Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities that existed as of the enactment date and that reversed after the Act’s effective date of January 1, 2018 were adjusted to reflect the new Federal statutory tax rate of 21%. The effect of the change in tax rate on the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities resulted in a tax benefit of $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, which is included in “Other” in the above tax rate reconciliation. The Company finalized its analysis of the Act and completed its calculation, which did not affect the measurement of these balances nor give rise to new deferred tax amounts. As of December 31, 2018, the Company had a valuation allowance of $3.0 million against deferred tax assets it estimates will not be realized. The Company will analyze its position in subsequent reporting periods, considering all available positive and negative evidence, in determining the expected realization of its deferred tax assets.

The Company realized $2.4 million and $1.5 million of excess tax benefits during 2018 and 2017, respectively, related to share-based compensation awards.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to tax matters as a component of “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has identified no uncertain tax position and, accordingly, has not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits or associated interest and penalties.

The Company operates in multiple tax jurisdictions and, in the normal course of business, its tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may result in future assessments by these taxing authorities, and the Company has accrued a liability when it believes that it is not more likely than not that it will realize the benefits of tax positions that it has taken or for the amount of any tax benefit that exceeds the cumulative probability threshold in accordance with accounting standards. As of December 31, 2018, Federal tax years 2015 through 2018 remain subject to examination. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for all tax returns subject to examination. Sales made to foreign distributors are not taxable in any foreign jurisdictions as the Company does not have a taxable presence.