14)	Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was 23.0% and 24.4%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the geographic mix of income and profits earned by the Company’s international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate, the federal research credit and the deduction for domestic production activities. These amounts were partially offset by taxes paid on the Company’s reorganization of certain international subsidiaries and state income taxes. The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was 29.3% and 29.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the geographic mix of income and profits earned by the Company’s international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate and the deduction for domestic production activities.

As of September 30, 2016, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $30,567. At December 31, 2015, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $4,332. The net increase from December 31, 2015 was primarily attributable to the addition of historical gross unrecognized tax benefits for Newport which were included as a result of the acquisition in April 2016. As of September 30, 2016, if these gross unrecognized tax benefits were recognized in a future period, the timing of which is not estimable, the net unrecognized tax benefit of $19,399, 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. As of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company had accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $738 and $157, respectively.

Over the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that the Company may recognize approximately $3,370 of previously net unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, related to various U.S. federal, state and foreign tax positions primarily as a result of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by U.S. federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The United States 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. The audit was effectively settled during the three months ended December 31, 2015 upon the Company’s acceptance of the income tax examination changes. As part of the audit, the Company consented to extend the U.S. statute of limitations for tax year 2011 until September 30, 2016.

The U.S. statute of limitations remains open for tax years 2013 through present. The statute of limitations for the Company’s tax filings in other jurisdictions varies between fiscal years 2007 through present. The Company also has certain federal credit carry-forwards and state tax loss and credit carry-forwards that are open for examination for tax years 2000 through present.