INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
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 was 34.6% and 27.1% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and 37.5% and 37.8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. The three- and six-month period ended June 30, 2016 reflects a benefit of 1.9% and 8.6%, respectively, related to the alternative fuel tax credit which expired December 31, 2016. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted an amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled and allows employers to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment beginning in the first quarter of 2017, the tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 reflects a benefit of 4.8% and 10.8%, respectively. As of June 30, 2017, 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 June 30, 2017 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss and state contribution 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 $0.4 million and $2.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 the Company received refunds of $0.1 million and $10.8 million, respectively, of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years.

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 was 34.6% and 27.1% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, and 37.5% and 37.8% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, respectively.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the federal statutory rate primarily results from state income taxes, nondeductible expenses, changes in deferred tax valuation allowances, and changes in the cash surrender value of life insurance. The three- and six-month period ended June 30, 2016 reflects a benefit of 1.9% and 8.6%, respectively, related to the alternative fuel tax credit which expired December 31, 2016.

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company adopted an amendment to ASC Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, which requires the income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the statement of operations when awards vest or are settled and allows employers to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The Company may experience volatility in its income tax provision as a result of recording all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies in the income statement upon settlement of awards, which is primarily during the second quarter of each year. As a result of applying the provisions of the amendment beginning in the first quarter of 2017, the tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 reflects a benefit of 4.8% and 10.8%, respectively.

As of June 30, 2017, 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 June 30, 2017 and concluded that, other than for certain deferred tax assets related to foreign net operating loss and state contribution 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 $0.4 million and $2.2 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 the Company received refunds of $0.1 million and $10.8 million, respectively, of federal and state income taxes that were paid in prior years.