INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	NOTE D – INCOME TAXES The Company’s statutory federal tax rate is 35%. State tax rates vary among states and average approximately 6.0% to 6.5%, although some state rates are higher and a small number of states do not impose an income tax. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 40.2% and 39.5%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 39.7% and 37.9%, respectively. The tax rates for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014 reflect a benefit of 0.3% from reduced state deferred tax liabilities to reflect enactment of lower tax rates in some states. The tax rate for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 also reflects a 1.4% benefit from the reversal of the valuation allowance on foreign tax credit carryovers. In addition to the adjustment to deferred tax liabilities for state tax rate changes, in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. For the first nine months of 2014, the effective tax rate was also affected by changes in valuation allowances for deferred tax assets. As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, which will reverse in future years, exceeded the deferred tax assets. The Company evaluated the total deferred tax assets at September 30, 2015 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss carryforwards, the assets did not exceed the amount for which realization is more likely than not. In making this determination, the Company considered the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies. The Company paid federal, state, and foreign income taxes of $17.3 million and $15.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company received refunds of $0.1 million and $2.0 million of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years, primarily from loss carryovers, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

NOTE D – INCOME TAXES

The Company’s statutory federal tax rate is 35%. State tax rates vary among states and average approximately 6.0% to 6.5%, although some state rates are higher and a small number of states do not impose an income tax. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 40.2% and 39.5%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 39.7% and 37.9%, respectively. The tax rates for the first nine months of 2015 and 2014 reflect a benefit of 0.3% from reduced state deferred tax liabilities to reflect enactment of lower tax rates in some states. The tax rate for the nine month period ended September 30, 2014 also reflects a 1.4% benefit from the reversal of the valuation allowance on foreign tax credit carryovers.

In addition to the adjustment to deferred tax liabilities for state tax rate changes, in the first nine months of 2015 and 2014, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. For the first nine months of 2014, the effective tax rate was also affected by changes in valuation allowances for deferred tax assets.

As of September 30, 2015, the Company’s deferred tax liabilities, which will reverse in future years, exceeded the deferred tax assets. The Company evaluated the total deferred tax assets at September 30, 2015 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss carryforwards, the assets did not exceed the amount for which realization is more likely than not. In making this determination, the Company considered the future reversal of existing taxable temporary differences, taxable income in carryback years, future taxable income, and tax planning strategies.

The Company paid federal, state, and foreign income taxes of $17.3 million and $15.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company received refunds of $0.1 million and $2.0 million of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years, primarily from loss carryovers, during the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.