Income Taxes (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Following is a summary of the Company’s income tax expense for the years ended December 31:

Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax liabilities and assets at December 31 are as follows:



(In Thousands)	2014			2013
Deferred Tax Liabilities:
Lease Merchandise and Property, Plant and Equipment	$	228,002		$	249,192
Goodwill & Other Intangibles	40,644			34,512
Investment in Partnership	61,342			—
Other, Net	1,866			2,782
Total Deferred Tax Liabilities	331,854			286,486
Deferred Tax Assets:
Accrued Liabilities	42,024			36,778
Advance Payments	14,272			15,400
Other, Net	7,713			8,032
Total Deferred Tax Assets	64,009			60,210
Less Valuation Allowance	(706		)	(682		)
Net Deferred Tax Liabilities	$	268,551		$	226,958

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory United States Federal income tax rate for the years ended December 31 as follows:



	2014		2013		2012
Statutory Rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Increases (Decreases) in United States Federal Taxes
Resulting From:
State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit	2.6		3.1		2.5
Federal Tax Credits	(1.8	)	(1.7	)	(.1	)
Other, Net	(.1	)	(1.6	)	.1
Effective Tax Rate	35.7	%	34.8	%	37.5	%

The following table summarizes the activity related to the Company’s uncertain tax positions:



(In Thousands)	2014			2013			2012
Balance at January 1,	$	1,960		$	1,258		$	1,412
Additions Based on Tax Positions Related to the Current Year	311			454			178
Additions for Tax Positions of Prior Years	928			423			83
Prior Year Reductions	(370		)	(5		)	(315		)
Statute Expirations	(94		)	(85		)	(83		)
Settlements	(91		)	(85		)	(17		)
Balance at December 31,	$	2,644		$	1,960		$	1,258