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Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
(2)  Income Taxes

The following table shows the components of the Company's income tax (provision) benefit (in thousands):
   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2011
  
2010
  
2009
 
Current:
         
Federal
 $(4,336) $350  $(649)
State
  (1,187)  (721)  (631)
    (5,523)  (371)  (1,280)
Deferred:
            
Federal
  (7,407)  (3,688)  (1,286)
State
  99   (11)  214 
    (7,308)  (3,699)  (1,072)
              
   $(12,831) $(4,070) $(2,352)

Taxes computed at the corporate federal income tax rate reconcile to the reported income tax (provision) as follows (in thousands):

   
Years ended December 31,
 
   
2011
  
2010
  
2009
 
Statutory federal income tax (provision) benefit
 $(12,517) $(4,445) $(2,275)
State income tax (provision) benefit
  (707)  (476)  (270)
Federal statutory depletion
  393   534   186 
Foreign investment write-off
  -   201   - 
Other
  -   116   7 
   $(12,831) $(4,070) $(2,352)


Deferred income taxes reflect the net difference between the financial statement carrying amounts and the underlying income tax basis in such items.  The components of the federal deferred tax asset (liability) are as follows (in thousands):

   
Years Ended December 31,
 
   
2011
  
2010
 
Current deferred tax asset (liability)
      
Allowance for doubtful accounts
 $772  $372 
Prepaid insurance
  (793)  (776)
Fair value contracts
  (484)  (450)
          
Net current deferred liability
  (505)  (854)
          
Long-term deferred tax asset (liability)
        
Property
  (10,579)  (2,885)
Uniform capitalization
  471   396 
Other
  160   198 
Net long-term deferred tax  liability
  (9,948)  (2,291)
          
Net deferred tax liability
 $(10,453) $(3,145)


Financial statement recognition and measurement of positions taken, or expected to be taken, by an entity in its income tax returns must consider the uncertainty and judgment involved in the determination and filing of income taxes.  Tax positions taken in an income tax return that are recognized in the financial statements must satisfy a more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, assuming that the tax position will be examined by taxing authorities with full knowledge of all relevant information.  As of December 31, 2010, the Company had accrued approximately $27,000 including approximately $8,000 of potential interest and penalty, respectively, applicable to certain open and unfiled state tax returns.  A reconciliation of the unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

   
2011
  
2010
 
Balance as of January 1,
 $19  $72 
Additions for tax positions of prior years
  -   - 
Reductions of prior positions
  (19)  (53)
Balance as of December 31,
 $-  $19 

The Company has filed all remaining open returns and expects final resolution with all states by year-end 2011.  As the actual tax payments are made, the accrual is reduced.  The Company has no other unrecognized tax benefits.  Interest and penalties associated with income tax liabilities are classified as income tax expense.

The earliest tax years remaining open for audit for Federal and major states of operations are as follows:

 
Earliest Open
 
Tax Year
   
Federal
2008
Texas
2007
Louisiana
2008
Michigan
2008