INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 was 37.0% and 37.2%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 40.2% and 39.5%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, 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. The three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 were also impacted by the alternative fuel tax credit. As of September 30, 2016, 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, 2016 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 state and foreign income taxes of $2.5 million and paid federal, state, and foreign income taxes of $17.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company received refunds of $10.8 million and $0.1 million of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

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, 2016 was 37.0% and 37.2%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 40.2% and 39.5%, respectively.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, 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. The three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2016 were also impacted by the alternative fuel tax credit.

As of September 30, 2016, 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, 2016 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 state and foreign income taxes of $2.5 million and paid federal, state, and foreign income taxes of $17.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The Company received refunds of $10.8 million and $0.1 million of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.