Entity information:
Income Taxes
 
The components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, were calculated using the asset and liability method as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Current tax expense:
 
 

 
 

 
 

Federal
 
$
8,222

 
$
8,178

 
$
6,808

State
 
2,271

 
2,244

 
1,712

Total current tax expense
 
10,493

 
10,422

 
8,520

Deferred tax (benefit)/ expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
5,646

 
(984
)
 
(284
)
State
 
89

 
(277
)
 
(122
)
Total deferred tax (benefit)/ expense
 
5,735

 
(1,261
)
 
(406
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total income tax expense
 
$
16,228

 
$
9,161

 
$
8,114


 
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% for 2017, 2016 and 2015 to income before taxes as follows: 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Computed income tax expense at statutory rate
 
$
12,467

 
$
9,769

 
$
8,492

State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit
 
1,534

 
1,279

 
1,034

Tax-exempt income, net of disallowance
 
(1,665
)
 
(1,559
)
 
(1,226
)
Bank-owned life insurance income, net
 
(245
)
 
(261
)
 
(251
)
Impact of change in federal statutory rate on deferred tax assets
 
4,761

 

 

Tax benefit from stock compensation
 
(922
)
 

 

Other
 
298

 
(67
)
 
65

    Total income tax expense
 
$
16,228

 
$
9,161

 
$
8,114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Effective income tax rate
 
45.6
%
 
32.8
%
 
33.4
%



The new federal tax bill enacted in December 2017 caused the Bank to revalue its net deferred tax assets based upon the lower rate at which they will be recovered. The value of the Company’s 2017 net deferred tax assets declined, due to the new lower federal tax rate, with the offset charged to Federal tax expense. This non-cash expense for the Company was approximately $4.8 million. The new federal tax bill will reduce the Bank’s federal tax rate in future periods, beginning in 2018, to 21% from its previous level of approximately 35%. Also in 2017, with the adoption of ASU 2016-09, related to employee share-based payment accounting, a tax benefit of approximately $922 thousand, associated with employee exercises and vesting of stock compensation, was recorded as a reduction of the Company's tax liability and income tax expense. Prior to 2017, the related tax benefits were recorded to additional paid-in-capital, and had no impact on the Company's income statements.

At December 31, the tax effects of each type of income and expense item that give rise to deferred taxes are as follows:
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2017
 
2016
Deferred tax asset:
 
 

 
 

Allowance for loan losses
 
$
9,252

 
$
12,753

Depreciation
 
1,831

 
3,463

Net unrealized loss on investment securities
 

 
444

Other-than-temporary impairment on equity securities
 

 
22

Supplemental employee retirement plans
 
667

 
1,018

Non-accrual interest
 
460

 
1,145

Stock-based compensation expense
 
608

 
1,019

Other
 
323

 
390

Total
 
13,141

 
20,254

 
 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liability:
 
 

 
 

Goodwill
 
1,590

 
2,301

Net unrealized gains on investments securities
 
90

 

Deferred origination costs
 
710

 
933

Total
 
2,390

 
3,234

 
 
 
 
 
     Net deferred tax asset
 
$
10,751

 
$
17,020


 
Deferred income taxes are recognized based on the expected future tax consequences of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities, calculated using currently enacted tax rates. Management records net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In making this determination, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including recent financial operations and projected future taxable income. Management believes based upon positive historical and expected future earnings that it is more likely than not the Company will generate sufficient taxable income to realize the deferred tax asset existing at December 31, 2017. However, factors beyond management’s control, such as the general state of the economy, can affect future levels of taxable income and there can be no assurances that sufficient taxable income will be generated to fully realize the deferred tax assets in the future. 
 
The Company paid total income taxes in 2017, 2016, and 2015 of $10.5 million, $10.9 million, and $7.6 million, respectively. 

The Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits accrued as income tax liabilities or receivables or as deferred tax items at December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

The Company invests in qualified affordable housing projects as a limited partner. In 2017, the Company estimated approximately $71 thousand of Federal Low Income Housing tax credits to be recognized. In both 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $71 thousand of Federal Low Income Housing tax credits. The Company anticipates that it will receive additional tax credits related to the Federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program in the amount of $319 thousand which are expected to be realized over the next 5 years.