INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	Note 3: Income Taxes Our estimated annual effective tax rate (EAETR) is based on full-year expectations of pretax earnings, statutory tax rates, permanent differences between book and tax accounting such as percentage depletion, and tax planning alternatives available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. For interim financial reporting, we calculate our quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the EAETR. Each quarter, we update our EAETR based on our revised full-year expectation of pretax earnings and calculate the income tax provision so that the year-to-date income tax provision reflects the EAETR. Significant judgment is required in determining our EAETR. In the second quarter of 2019, we recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $47,598,000 compared to income tax expense from continuing operations of $40,046,000 in the second quarter of 2018. The increase in tax expense was related to an increase in earnings, partially offset by an increase in share-based compensation excess tax benefits quarter-over-quarter. For the first six months of 2019, we recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $58,291,000 compared to income tax expense from continuing operations of $35,143,000 for the first six months of 2018. The increase in tax expense was related to an increase in earnings along with a decrease in share-based compensation excess tax benefits as compared to the same period in 2018. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities (which reflect our best assessment of the future taxes we will pay) based on the differences between the book basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns while deferred tax liabilities represent items that will result in additional tax in future tax returns. Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. At December 31, 2019, we project state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets of $67,598,000 ($64,718,000 relates to Alabama), against which we project to have a valuation allowance of $29,678,000 ($29,183,000 relates to Alabama). The Alabama net operating loss carryforward, if not utilized, would expire in years 2023 – 2032. We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax benefit. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation. A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9 “Income Taxes” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.

INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

Note 3: Income Taxes

Our estimated annual effective tax rate (EAETR) is based on full-year expectations of pretax earnings, statutory tax rates, permanent differences between book and tax accounting such as percentage depletion, and tax planning alternatives available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. For interim financial reporting, we calculate our quarterly income tax provision in accordance with the EAETR. Each quarter, we update our EAETR based on our revised full-year expectation of pretax earnings and calculate the income tax provision so that the year-to-date income tax provision reflects the EAETR. Significant judgment is required in determining our EAETR.

In the second quarter of 2019, we recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $47,598,000 compared to income tax expense from continuing operations of $40,046,000 in the second quarter of 2018. The increase in tax expense was related to an increase in earnings, partially offset by an increase in share-based compensation excess tax benefits quarter-over-quarter.

For the first six months of 2019, we recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $58,291,000 compared to income tax expense from continuing operations of $35,143,000 for the first six months of 2018. The increase in tax expense was related to an increase in earnings along with a decrease in share-based compensation excess tax benefits as compared to the same period in 2018.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities (which reflect our best assessment of the future taxes we will pay) based on the differences between the book basis and tax basis of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets represent items to be used as a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns while deferred tax liabilities represent items that will result in additional tax in future tax returns.

Each quarter we analyze the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance is recorded if, based on the weight of all available positive and negative evidence, it is more likely than not (a likelihood of more than 50%) that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. At December 31, 2019, we project state net operating loss carryforward deferred tax assets of $67,598,000 ($64,718,000 relates to Alabama), against which we project to have a valuation allowance of $29,678,000 ($29,183,000 relates to Alabama). The Alabama net operating loss carryforward, if not utilized, would expire in years 2023 – 2032.

We recognize a tax benefit associated with a tax position when, in our judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained based upon the technical merits of the position. For a tax position that meets the more likely than not recognition threshold, we measure the income tax benefit as the largest amount that we judge to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized. A liability is established for the unrecognized portion of any tax benefit. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances, such as the progress of tax audits, case law developments and new or emerging legislation.

A summary of our deferred tax assets is included in Note 9 “Income Taxes” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.