13)	Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 80.4% and 44.8%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was 61.3% and 35.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, and related income tax expense was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to a decision made during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to pay currently, at a substantially reduced rate, taxes on certain accumulated earnings of its Israeli subsidiary relating to calendar year periods 2002-2011 covered under its tax holiday that expired on December 31, 2011. This additional charge was partially offset by additional U.S. tax incentives realized by the Company and recognized as discrete events during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, and the geographic mix of income and profits earned by the Company’s international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate. Additionally, certain tax incentives realized by the Company were recognized as discrete events during the quarter ended March 31, 2013. These incentives were reinstated under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that was signed into law on January 2, 2013. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and related income tax expense was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the cumulative year-to-date tax effect of a slightly higher annual effective tax rate based on the Company’s revised full year forecast, and non-deductible acquisition costs that were offset in part by the geographic mix of income and profits earned by the Company’s international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate.

At September 30, 2013, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $45,402. At December 31, 2012, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $40,674. The net increase from December 31, 2012 was attributable to an increase in reserves for existing uncertain tax positions. At September 30, 2013, there are $23,570, excluding interest and penalties, of net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate. The Company accrues interest expense and, if applicable, penalties for any uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties are classified as a component of income tax expense. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $2,147 and $1,571, respectively.

On September 13, 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and Internal Revenue Service released final tangible property regulations that provide guidance on the tax treatment regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. While early adoption is available, the effective date to implement these regulations is for tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2014. The Company is currently assessing these rules and the impact to its financial statements, if any, but believes adoption of these regulations will not have a material impact on its consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The Internal Revenue Service commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. federal tax filings for tax years 2007 through 2009 during the quarter ended June 30, 2012. As a result, the U.S. statute of limitations remains open between tax years 2007 through present. The statute of limitations for the Company’s tax filings in other jurisdictions varies between fiscal years 2006 through present.

While the Company believes it has adequately provided for all tax positions, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could materially differ from the Company’s accrued positions as a result of uncertain and complex application of tax regulations. Additionally, the recognition and measurement of certain tax benefits include estimates and judgment by management and inherently includes subjectivity. Accordingly, the Company may record additional provisions or benefits due to U.S. federal, state, and foreign tax-related matters in the future as it revises estimates or settles or otherwise resolves the underlying matters.