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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

6. Income Taxes


     We recorded income tax expense of $9.7 million and $21.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2012, both of which were primarily non-cash, on pre-tax income of $26.4 million and $58.9 million, respectively, yielding effective tax rates of 36.7 percent and 36.9 percent, respectively. Our income tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2012 is based on estimated effective tax rates derived from an estimate of consolidated earnings before taxes, adjusted for nondeductible expenses and other permanent differences for fiscal year 2012. The estimated effective tax rates were impacted primarily by the worldwide mix of consolidated earnings before taxes. Our income tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2012 was slightly above the federal statutory rate primarily due to the effect of state income taxes and nondeductible expenses.

     We recorded an income tax benefit of $1.3 million and $2.8 million for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011, respectively, yielding an effective tax benefit rate of 5.7 percent and 4.0 percent, respectively. Our income tax benefit for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011 is based on an estimated effective tax rate derived from an estimate of consolidated earnings before taxes for fiscal year 2011. The estimated effective tax rate was impacted primarily by the worldwide mix of consolidated earnings before taxes and an assessment regarding the ability to realize our deferred tax assets. This assessment resulted in a $1.8 million and $4.1 million net increase in deferred tax assets for the three and nine month periods ended December 25, 2010, respectively. Our income tax expense for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal year 2011 was less than the Federal statutory rate primarily as a result of the utilization of a portion of our U.S. deferred tax asset and related valuation allowance.

     At December 31, 2011, the Company has a valuation allowance of $68.4 million against deferred tax assets. Of that amount, there is approximately $30.5 million of deferred tax assets that may never be recognized because they pertain to federal or state tax credits that may expire before being utilized. We evaluate our ability to realize our deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis.

     We had no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2011. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. As of December 31, 2011, the balance of accrued interest and penalties was zeroNo interest or penalties were incurred during the first nine months of fiscal year 2012.

     The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. Fiscal years 2009 through 2011 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject.