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INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Expense [Abstract]  
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
8.
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 
The second quarter 2015 effective income tax rate from continuing operations was 37.3% compared to 29.9% in the second quarter of 2014. The effective income tax rate in the first six months of 2015 was 31.8% compared to 32.9% in the first six months of 2014. The income tax expense in the first six months of 2015 was favorably impacted by the extension of the research credit as a result of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 reducing the year-to-date effective tax rate by 3.2%. The income tax expense in the second quarter and first six months of 2015 was unfavorably impacted by losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit was recorded increasing the second quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 0.8% and 1.7%, respectively.
 
During the second quarter of 2014, the IRS concluded its audit of the 2011 tax year and had no adjustments. As a result of the audit conclusions, the Company changed its judgment about the measurement of certain of its unrecognized tax benefits for the years 2011 – 2014, decreasing unrecognized tax benefits by $0.7 million. This release of unrecognized tax benefit accruals decreased the 2014 second quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 4.9% and 2.4%, respectively. The income tax expense in the second quarter and first six months of 2014 was also favorably impacted by the decrease in the applicable state rate for certain deferred tax liabilities reducing the second quarter and year-to-date effective tax rate by 1.7% and 0.8%, respectively. The Company estimates the fiscal 2015 effective tax rate from continuing operations will be approximately 34%.
 
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, there were no material changes in the unrecognized tax benefits. The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.