Income Taxes |
6 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Jun. 30, 2018 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Income Taxes | INCOME TAXES Our effective tax rate, exclusive of noncontrolling interests, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was 24.7% and 24.1%, respectively. Our effective tax rate, exclusive of noncontrolling interests, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, was 39.1% and 37.9%, respectively. Our effective tax rate, exclusive of noncontrolling interests, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was favorably affected by the Tax Act and resolution of certain tax matters as compared to the same periods in 2017. Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds) was $30.0 million and $170.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Tax Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. The Tax Act reduces the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, limits deductions for, among other things, interest expense, executive compensation and meals and entertainment, while enhancing deductions for equipment and other fixed assets. The Tax Act also requires companies to pay a one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings. The SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 ("SAB 118"), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides up to a one year measurement period from the Tax Acts's enactment date for companies to complete their accounting under ASC 740. In accordance with SAB 118, for the year ended December 31, 2017, we recorded provisional amounts based on our estimates of the Tax Act's effect to our deferred taxes, uncertain tax positions and the one-time transition tax. As of June 30, 2018, we have not finalized our accounting nor have we changed our previous estimates of the tax effects of the enactment of the Tax Act. We anticipate that the completion of our 2017 income tax returns, future guidance and additional information and interpretations with respect to the Tax Act will cause us to further adjust the provisional amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017. In accordance with SAB 118, we will record such adjustments in the period that relevant guidance and/or additional information becomes available and our analysis is completed. 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 taxing 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 June 30, 2018, 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 and 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. As a result of the recent changes in U.S. tax law, as well as our ongoing efforts to streamline and maximize the efficiency of our tax footprint, we could further adjust our valuation allowance in a future period if there is sufficient evidence to support a conclusion that it is more certain than not that certain of the state net operating loss carryforwards, on which we currently provide a valuation allowance, would be realized. 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 June 30, 2018, the valuation allowance associated with our state loss carryforwards was approximately $72 million. |