INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	INCOME TAXES The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 40.5% and 20.4%, respectively. These rates were impacted by the redemption of the 2029 Debentures described in Note 7. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 27.4% and 28.6%, respectively. WESCO’s effective tax rate is generally lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% due to benefits resulting from the tax effect of intercompany financing and lower rates on foreign earnings, which are partially offset by nondeductible expenses and state taxes. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was reduced by $2.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $3.2 million due to the settlement of outstanding tax matters and the expiration of statutes of limitation. At September 30, 2016, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized in the consolidated financial statements was $4.5 million. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.9 million within the next twelve months due to the expiration of statutes of limitation and the settlement of state audits. Of this amount, $0.3 million could impact the effective tax rate.

INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 40.5% and 20.4%, respectively. These rates were impacted by the redemption of the 2029 Debentures described in Note 7. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 27.4% and 28.6%, respectively. WESCO’s effective tax rate is generally lower than the federal statutory rate of 35% due to benefits resulting from the tax effect of intercompany financing and lower rates on foreign earnings, which are partially offset by nondeductible expenses and state taxes.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits was reduced by $2.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 to $3.2 million due to the settlement of outstanding tax matters and the expiration of statutes of limitation. At September 30, 2016, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate if recognized in the consolidated financial statements was $4.5 million. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.9 million within the next twelve months due to the expiration of statutes of limitation and the settlement of state audits. Of this amount, $0.3 million could impact the effective tax rate.