Income Taxes |
9 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2016 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Income Taxes | INCOME TAXES Our effective tax rate, exclusive of noncontrolling interests, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 32.5% and 36.9%, respectively. Our effective tax rate, exclusive of noncontrolling interests, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 38.7% and 38.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2016 was favorably affected by the realization of additional federal and state benefits as well as adjustments to deferred taxes due to the completion of our 2015 tax returns. The impact on our effective tax rate appears greater than past periods due to lower pre-tax earnings as a result of our debt refinancing in July 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, in addition to the item mentioned previously, our effective tax rate was favorably affected by the resolution of state and federal tax matters. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 was favorably affected by the resolution of a Puerto Rican tax matter and tax refunds received as the result of filing various state amended tax returns. Cash paid for income taxes was $145.7 million and $256.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The decrease in cash paid for income taxes is primarily due to the expected benefits to be realized from our debt refinancing in July 2016. We are subject to income tax in the United States and Puerto Rico, as well as in multiple state jurisdictions. Our compliance with income tax rules and regulations is periodically audited by tax authorities. These authorities may challenge the positions taken in our tax filings. We are currently under examination or administrative review by state and local taxing authorities for various tax years. We recognize interest and penalties as incurred within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of income. As of September 30, 2016, we accrued a liability for penalties of $0.5 million and a liability for interest (including interest on penalties) of $11.3 million related to our uncertain tax positions. We believe that our recorded liabilities for uncertain tax positions are adequate. However, a significant assessment against us in excess of the liabilities recorded could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease. Gross unrecognized benefits we expect to settle in the next twelve months are in the range of zero to $10 million. We have deferred tax assets related to state net operating loss carryforwards. We provide a partial valuation allowance due to uncertainty surrounding the future utilization of these carryforwards in the taxing jurisdictions where the loss carryforwards exist. When determining the need for a valuation allowance, we consider all positive and negative evidence, including recent financial results, scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies. The weight given to the positive and negative evidence is commensurate with the extent such evidence can be objectively verified. We adjust the valuation allowance in the period management determines it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets will or will not be realized. Substantially all of our valuation allowance is associated with state loss carryforwards. The realization of our deferred tax asset for state loss carryforwards ultimately depends upon the existence of sufficient taxable income in the appropriate state taxing jurisdictions in future periods. We continue to regularly monitor both positive and negative evidence in determining the ongoing need for a valuation allowance. As of September 30, 2016, the valuation allowance associated with our state loss carryforwards was approximately $60 million. |