13. Income Taxes

For financial reporting purposes, income before income taxes includes the following components (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
United States	$	47,963	$	47,640	$	(4,192	)
Foreign		50,806		45,519		69,460

Total	$	98,769	$	93,159	$	65,268

The expense (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Federal
Current	$	7,895		$	7,509		$	1,236
Deferred		7,021			9,491			56

Total		14,916			17,000			1,292
State
Current		1,542			2,492			1,150
Deferred		(2,397	)		(1,687	)		(142	)

Total		(855	)		805			1,008
Foreign
Current		13,335			9,717			9,258
Deferred		3,813			1,769			4,864

Total		17,148			11,486			14,122

Total	$	31,209		$	29,291		$	16,422

Differences between the income tax expense computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and per the consolidated statements of income are summarized as follows (in thousands):


	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
Tax expense at federal rate of 35%	$	34,569		$	32,606		$	22,844
State income taxes, net of federal benefit		(544	)		675			655
Change in valuation allowance		3,521			(1,615	)		(2,680	)
Foreign tax rate differential		(5,508	)		(4,650	)		(8,940	)
Unrecognized tax benefit increase (decrease)		65			488			(1,665	)
Tax effect of foreign operations		(104	)		5,906			5,311
Acquisition Costs		289			896			2,659
Tax benefit of research & development		(3,446	)		(4,001	)		(1,749	)
Other		2,367			(1,014	)		(13	)

Income tax provision	$	31,209		$	29,291		$	16,422

The countries having the greatest impact on the tax rate adjustment line shown in the above table as “Foreign tax rate differential” for the year ended December 31, 2014 are Ireland, South Africa and United Kingdom. The countries having the greatest impact on the tax rate adjustment line shown in the above table as “Foreign tax rate differential” for the year ended December 31, 2013, are Canada, Singapore, South Africa, and United Kingdom. The countries having the greatest impact on the tax rate adjustment line shown in the above table as “Foreign tax rate differential” for the years ended December 31, 2012 are Canada, Ireland and United Kingdom.

The deferred tax assets and liabilities result from differences in the timing of the recognition of certain income and expense items for tax and financial accounting purposes. The sources of these differences at each balance sheet date are as follows (in thousands):


	December 31,
	2014			2013
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards	$	150,004		$	148,499
Tax credits		43,804			32,231
Compensation		24,486			24,902
Deferred revenue		13,486			10,564
Tax basis in investments		5,601			15,536
Other		9,712			10,153

Gross deferred income tax assets		247,093			241,885
Less: valuation allowance		(36,174	)		(39,749	)

Net deferred income tax assets	$	210,919		$	202,136

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	$	(129,825	)	$	(117,444	)

Total deferred income tax liabilities		(129,825	)		(117,444	)

Net deferred income taxes	$	81,094		$	84,692

Deferred income taxes / liabilities included in the balance sheet are:
Deferred income tax asset – current	$	44,349		$	47,593
Deferred income tax asset – noncurrent		50,187			48,852
Deferred income tax liability – current		(225	)		(753	)
Deferred income tax liability – noncurrent		(13,217	)		(11,000	)

Net deferred income taxes	$	81,094		$	84,692

Prior year amounts reflected in the above table have been reclassified for comparability purposes as follows, deferred tax assets of $5.0 million related to various types of tax credits previously reflected in the other line item and $27.2 million reflected as foreign tax credits as of December 31, 2013 are now included in the tax credits line item.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company considers projected future taxable income, carryback opportunities and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the valuation allowances recorded. During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company decreased its valuation allowance by $3.6 million which relates primarily to a reduction in valuation allowance on the Yodlee investment, partially offset by an increase in valuation allowance related to foreign tax credits.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had domestic tax net operating losses (“NOLs”) of $358.1 million which will begin to expire in 2017. The Company had foreign tax NOLs of $70.6 million, of which $60.6 million may be utilized over an indefinite life, with the remainder expiring over the next 10 years. The Company has provided a $6.7 million valuation allowance against the tax benefit associated with the foreign NOLs.

The Company had U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards at December 31, 2014 of $32.9 million, for which a $9.2 million valuation allowance has been provided. The U.S. foreign tax credits will begin to expire in 2015. The Company also had domestic general business credit carryforwards at December 31, 2014 of $10.3 million, which will begin to expire in 2020.

The unrecognized tax benefit at December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $14.8 million and $15.0 million, respectively, all of which is included in other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Of these amounts, $13.0 million and $13.2 million, respectively, represent the net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in respective years.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 is as follows (in thousands):


	2014			2013			2012
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year	$	14,996		$	13,079		$	4,012
Increases for tax positions of prior years		84			1,560			10,729
Decreases for tax positions of prior years		(412	)		(327	)		(4	)
Increases for tax positions established for the current period		491			1,739			49
Decreases for settlements with taxing authorities		—			(61	)		(27	)
Reductions resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitation		(239	)		(901	)		(1,697	)
Adjustment resulting from foreign currency translation		(140	)		(93	)		17

Balance of unrecognized tax benefits at end of year	$	14,780		$	14,996		$	13,079

The increases for tax positions of prior years for 2013 and 2012 in the above table include amounts from acquisitions completed during 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state and local jurisdictions, and many foreign jurisdictions. The U.S., Australia, Canada, India, Ireland, South Africa, and United Kingdom are the main taxing jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The years open for audit vary depending on the tax jurisdiction. In the U.S., the Company’s tax returns for years following 2009 are open for audit. In the foreign jurisdictions, the tax returns open for audit generally vary by jurisdiction between 2002 and 2013.

The Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the Company’s calendar year 2010 and 2011 tax returns. The Company does not expect any adjustments from this audit that would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements. The Company’s Indian income tax returns covering fiscal years 2002 through 2007 and 2010 through 2012 are under audit by the Indian tax authority. Other foreign subsidiaries could face challenges from various foreign tax authorities. It is not certain that the local authorities will accept the Company’s tax positions. The Company believes its tax positions comply with applicable tax law and intends to vigorously defend its positions. However, differing positions on certain issues could be upheld by tax authorities, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease within the next 12 months by approximately $5.0 million due to the settlement of various audits and the expiration of statutes of limitations. The Company accrues interest related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense or interest income and recognizes penalties related to uncertain tax positions in other income or other expense. As of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, $2.4 million and $2.3 million, respectively is accrued for the payment of interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities. The aggregate amount of interest and penalties recorded in the statement of income for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 is $0.2 million, $0.4 million, and $(0.2) million, respectively.

The undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries of approximately $212.1 million are considered to be permanently reinvested. Accordingly, no provision for U.S. federal and state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes has been provided for such undistributed earnings. The determination of the additional U.S. federal and state income taxes or foreign withholding taxes that have not been provided is not practicable.

On January 2, 2013 the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted, which included retroactive reinstatement of several tax laws to January 1, 2012. The effects on the Company of these retroactive changes in the tax law related to fiscal 2012 is $1.4 million, which was recognized as a benefit to income tax expense in the first quarter of fiscal 2013, the quarter in which the law was enacted.