(7)	Income Taxes

Earnings before income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 consisted of the following components (in thousands):

	2013		2012		2011
United States	$	517,432	$	430,573	$	359,800
Other		236,698		256,108		245,187
	$	754,130	$	686,681	$	604,987

Components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows (in thousands):

	2013			2012			2011
Current:
Federal	$	166,430		$	136,860		$	123,310
State		12,577			9,972			14,903
Foreign		40,451			48,403			41,437
Deferred:
Federal		(1,965	)		15,789			1,846
Foreign		(1,656	)		(7,703	)		(3,756	)
	$	215,837		$	203,321		$	177,740

Reconciliations between the statutory federal income tax rate and the effective income tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

	2013		2012		2011
Federal statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Foreign rate differential	(4.1	)	(3.9	)	(3.7	)
R&D tax credits	(0.5	)	-		(0.7	)
State taxes, net of federal benefit	1.9		1.7		1.7
Foreign tax credit	-		(2.4	)	-
Section 199 deduction	(1.8	)	(1.3	)	(1.3	)
Other, net	(1.9	)	0.5		(1.6	)
	28.6	%	29.6	%	29.4	%

The deferred income tax balance sheet accounts arise from temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting and tax purposes.

Components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31 were as follows (in thousands):

	2013			2012
Deferred tax assets:
Reserves and accrued expenses	$	119,955		$	63,703
Inventories		10,315			9,171
Net operating loss carryforwards		35,286			21,161
R&D credits		3,134			6,331
Foreign tax credits		425			20,270
Valuation allowance		(5,917	)		-
Total deferred tax assets	$	163,198		$	120,636
Deferred tax liabilities:
Reserves and accrued expenses	$	20,995		$	10,766
Amortizable intangible assets		826,838			691,536
Plant and equipment		12,423			8,844
Total deferred tax liabilities	$	860,256		$	711,146

At December 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $35.3 million of U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards. If not utilized, these carryforwards will expire in years 2023 through 2033. The net operating loss carryforward increased between 2012 and 2013 primarily due to losses incurred by a U.S. entity that is not a member of the Company's consolidated tax group and therefore not available for offset against the taxable income of other members of the group. In a recent acquisition, the consolidated group obtained federal net operating losses subject to an IRC Section 382 limitation; however, the Company expects to utilize the losses in their entirety prior to expiration. The Company's state net operating loss carryforwards are primarily related to Florida and New Jersey and will expire in years 2027 through 2030 if not utilized. The New Jersey net operating loss was acquired as part of a recent acquisition. The Company has smaller net operating losses in various other states. Additionally, the Company has a foreign tax credit carryforward and a R&D tax credit carryforward.

As of December 31, 2013, the Company determined that a total valuation allowance of $5.9 million was necessary to reduce U.S. deferred tax assets by $2.6 million and foreign deferred tax assets by $3.3 million, where it was more likely than not that some portion or all of such deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2013, based on the Company's estimates of future taxable income and any applicable tax-planning strategies within various tax jurisdictions, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the remaining net deferred tax assets will be realized.

The Company recognizes in the consolidated financial statements only those tax positions determined to be "more likely than not" of being sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the positions. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

	2013			2012			2011
Beginning balance	$	24,865		$	19,556		$	24,765
Additions for tax positions of prior periods		3,055			1,371			470
Additions for tax positions of the current period		1,639			1,541			2,572
Additions due to acquisitions		5,026			9,116			-
Reductions for tax positions of prior periods		(3,675	)		(197	)		(558	)
Reductions for tax positions of the current period
Settlements with taxing authorities		-			-			(4,043	)
Lapse of applicable statute of limitations		(3,986	)		(6,522	)		(3,650	)
Ending balance	$	26,924		$	24,865		$	19,556

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is $25.5 million. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are classified as a component of income tax expense and totaled $(0.5) million in 2013. Accrued interest and penalties were $4.5 million at December 31, 2013 and $5.0 million at December 31, 2012. During the next twelve months, the unrecognized tax benefits are expected to increase by a net $1.2 million, due mainly to identified uncertain tax positions.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state, city and foreign jurisdictions. The Company's federal income tax returns for 2010 through the current period remain subject to examination and the relevant state, city and foreign statutes vary. At December 31, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service has been and is continuing to examine the Company's income tax returns for the years 2010 and 2011. The Company does not expect the assessment of any significant additional tax in excess of amounts reserved.