13. INCOME TAXES

Provision for Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes in the 2015 second quarter was $64.1 million. This compared with a provision for income taxes of $57.5 million in the 2014 second quarter. The provision for income taxes for the six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and June 30, 2014 was $118.1 million and $109.6 million, respectively. All periods included the benefits from tax-exempt income, tax-advantaged investments, release of capital loss carryforward valuation allowance, general business credits, and investments in qualified affordable housing projects. At June 30, 2015 there is no capital loss carryforward valuation allowance remaining. The net federal deferred tax asset was $30.6 million and the net state deferred tax asset was $42.8 million at June 30, 2015.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state, city, and foreign jurisdictions. Federal income tax audits have been completed through 2009. In the first quarter of 2013, the IRS began an examination of our 2010 and 2011 consolidated federal income tax returns. Various state and other jurisdictions remain open to examination, including Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Illinois.

Huntington accounts for uncertainties in income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. At June 30, 2015, Huntington had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $25.5 million in income tax liability related to uncertain tax positions. Total interest accrued on the unrecognized tax benefits was $0.3 million as of June 30, 2015. This compared with gross unrecognized tax benefits of $1.2 million at December 31, 2014 and total interest accrued of $0.2 million at December 31, 2014. Huntington recognizes interest and penalties on income tax assessments or income tax refunds in the financial statements as a component of provision for income taxes. Due to the complexities of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from the current estimate of the tax liabilities. It is reasonably possible that the liability for gross unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by $23.1 million during the next 12 months due to the completion of tax authority examinations.