13)	Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 28.9% and 17.8%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due the impact of lower tax rates on foreign income and the deduction for domestic production activities. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the discrete release of income tax reserves related to the effective settlement of a foreign tax examination. 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 also had a significant impact on the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

At March 31, 2015, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $19,508. At December 31, 2014, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $19,610. The net decrease from December 31, 2014 was attributable to a release of reserves for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of the statute of limitations related to a previously open tax year. As of March 31, 2015, if these benefits were recognized in a future period, the timing of which is not estimable, the net unrecognized tax benefit of $11,524, excluding interest and penalties, would impact the Company’s 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $638 and $578, respectively.

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 2011 through 2013 during the quarter ended March 31, 2015. As a result, the U.S. statute of limitations remains open between tax years 2011 through present. However, carryforward amounts from prior years may still be adjusted upon examination by tax authorities if they are used in a future period. The U.S. statute of limitations for the Company’s tax filings in other jurisdictions varies between fiscal years 2008 through the present.