11)	Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 was 25.0% and 22.3%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and related income tax expense, was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate mainly due to the geographic mix of income earned by the Company’s international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate, the tax benefit of windfall stock compensation deductions and the deduction for domestic production activities. These amounts were partially offset by taxes accrued, net of foreign tax credits, on actual and planned distributions from the Company’s international subsidiaries. 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 in connection with the Company’s reorganization of certain international subsidiaries and state income taxes.

As of September 30, 2017, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $26,571. At December 31, 2016 the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $25,465. As of September 30, 2017, there were $18,091 of net unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties that, if recognized, 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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $367 and $491, respectively.

Over the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that the Company may recognize approximately $1,733 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 Internal Revenue Service commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. federal tax filing for the 2015 tax year during the quarter ended September 30, 2017. The U.S. statute of limitations remains open for tax years 2014 through present. The statute of limitations for the Company’s tax filings in other jurisdictions varies between fiscal years 2012 through present. The Company also has certain federal credit carry-forwards and state tax loss and credit carry-forwards that are open to examination for tax years 2000 through the present.