Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:



	2016			2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Current:
Federal	$	3,386		$	(47,695	)	$	38,653
State	3,972			3,891			31,203
Foreign	12,729			1,335			2,837
	20,087			(42,469		)	72,693
Deferred:
Federal	(30,758		)	29,348			(23,444		)
State	8,512			(2,799		)	(1,893		)
Foreign	(1,932		)	3,755			940
	(24,178		)	30,304			(24,397		)
Total	$	(4,091	)	$	(12,165	)	$	48,296

Deferred taxes are comprised of basis differences related to investments, accrued liabilities and certain federal and state tax credits.

Domestic income before income taxes was $490.8 million, $824.9 million, and $1.2 billion for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Foreign activity made up the difference between the total income before income taxes and the domestic amounts.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of August 31, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:



	2016			2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses	$	87,251		$	96,270
Postretirement health care and deferred compensation	111,983			89,934
Tax credit carryforwards	143,252			109,756
Loss carryforwards	155,966			85,860
Other	64,669			68,625
Deferred tax assets valuation	(194,277		)	(98,024		)
Total deferred tax assets	368,844			352,421
Deferred tax liabilities:
Pension	26,516			20,732
Investments	109,610			98,291
Major maintenance	4,970			36,135
Property, plant and equipment	679,266			654,057
Other	33,779			25,836
Total deferred tax liabilities	854,141			835,051
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	485,297		$	482,630

We have total gross loss carry forwards of $676.6 million, of which $425.7 million will expire over periods ranging from fiscal 2017 to fiscal 2038. The remainder will carry forward indefinitely. Based on estimates of future taxable profits and losses in certain foreign tax jurisdictions, we determined that a valuation allowance was required for specific foreign loss carry forwards as of August 31, 2016. If these estimates prove inaccurate, a change in the valuation allowance, up or down, could be required in the future. During fiscal 2016, valuation allowances related to foreign operations increased by $40.6 million due to net operating loss carry forwards and other timing differences. CHS McPherson's (formerly known as NCRA) gross state tax credit carry forwards for income tax are approximately $133.5 million and $62.2 million as of August 31, 2016, and 2015, respectively. During the year ended August 31, 2016, the valuation allowance for CHS McPherson increased by $55.6 million, net of tax, due to a change in the amount of state tax credits that are estimated to be utilized. The significant increase in state tax credit carry forwards is the result of the refinery coker at CHS McPherson being placed in service during fiscal 2016, resulting in a corresponding increase in valuation allowance. CHS McPherson's valuation allowance on Kansas state credits is necessary due to the limited amount of Kansas taxable income generated by the combined group on an annual basis.

Our alternative minimum tax credit of $5.6 million will not expire. Our general business credits of $64.5 million, comprised primarily of low sulfur diesel credits, will begin to expire on August 31, 2027. Our state tax credits of $133.5 million will begin to expire on August 31, 2018.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016, we elected to early adopt ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. Our adoption of ASU No. 2015-17 is done on a prospective basis. As of August 31, 2016, net deferred tax assets of $2.5 million were included in other assets. As of August 31, 2015, net deferred tax assets of $85.0 million and $1.6 million were included in other current assets and other assets, respectively.

The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rates to the effective tax rates for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 is as follows:



	2016		2015		2014
Statutory federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit	0.4		(0.5	)	1.6
Patronage earnings	(23.2	)	(29.0	)	(20.5	)
Domestic production activities deduction	(13.2	)	(5.6	)	(10.0	)
Export activities at rates other than the U.S. statutory rate	1.5		(0.2	)	1.2
Valuation allowance	19.6		(0.1	)	1.7
Tax credits	(11.8	)	(0.8	)	(3.1	)
Crack spread contingency	(5.0	)	(1.7	)	(0.6	)
Other	(4.3	)	1.3		(1.0	)
Effective tax rate	(1.0	)%	(1.6	)%	4.3	%

During fiscal 2016, we recorded a deferred income tax benefit of $25.6 million due to a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service on a fiscal 2006 and 2007 tax matter.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. Our uncertain tax positions are affected by the tax years that are under audit or remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities. In addition to the current year, fiscal 2007 through 2015 remain subject to examination, at least for certain issues.

We account for our income tax provisions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a minimum threshold that a tax provision is required to meet before being recognized in our consolidated financial statements. This interpretation requires us to recognize in our consolidated financial statements tax positions determined more likely than not to be sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. Reconciliation of the gross beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the periods presented follows:



	2016			2015		2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period	$	72,181		$	72,181	$	67,271
Additions attributable to current year tax positions	1,387			—		—
Additions attributable to prior year tax positions	—			—		35,718
Reductions attributable to prior year tax positions	(36,463		)	—		(9,867		)
Reductions attributable to statute expiration	—			—		(20,941		)
Balance at end of period	$	37,105		$	72,181	$	72,181

During fiscal 2016, we decreased our unrecognized tax benefits due to the settlement with the Internal Revenue Service mentioned above. In addition, we increased our unrecognized tax benefits for excise tax credits related to the blending and sale of renewable fuels deducted for income taxes.

If we were to prevail on all tax positions taken relating to uncertain tax positions, all of the unrecognized tax benefits would benefit the effective tax rate. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months.

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. No amounts were recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for interest related to unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. We recorded no interest payable related to unrecognized tax benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2016 and 2015.