XML 158 R117.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details) € in Thousands, $ in Thousands |  | 1 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 48 Months Ended |
--- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | ---
Jun. 29, 2012 USD ($) | Jun. 29, 2012 EUR (€) | Oct. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Oct. 31, 2015 EUR (€) | Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($) | Mar. 31, 2018 EUR (€) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2016 EUR (€) | Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2014 USD ($) | Dec. 31, 2013 audit | Dec. 31, 2016 EUR (€)
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign income from continuing operations before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 347,297 | $ 923,636 |  | $ 105,919 |  |  |
Domestic loss from continuing operations before income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 320,498 | 492,536 |  | 306,528 |  |  |
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, estimated income tax benefit |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 137,600 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax effect of rate changes |  |  |  |  |  |  | 66,900 | 66,943 | 0 |  | 0 |  |  |
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, valuation allowance on deferred tax asset, estimated income tax benefit |  |  |  |  |  |  | 70,700 |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Transition tax on unremitted earnings |  |  |  |  |  |  | (149,800) |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, transition tax provisional liability |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3,200 | 3,200 |  |  |  |  |  |
Undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2,081,927 | $ 2,081,927 | $ 1,827,228 |  |  |  |  |
Percent of operating loss carryforwards |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 68.66% |  |  |  |  | 68.66%
Period for cumulative loss position |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3 years |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefits from change in tax rate law |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 231,100 |  |  |  |  |  |
Utilization of prior year taxes carryforwards |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 53,600 |  |  |  |  |  |
Deferred tax assets valuation allowance |  |  |  |  |  |  | 746,835 | 746,835 | $ 1,154,008 |  |  |  |  |
Interest and penalties related to income taxes |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 7,592 | 9,245 |  | 16,270 |  |  |
Accrued interest and penalties |  |  |  |  |  |  | 42,133 | 42,133 | 42,444 |  |  |  |  |
Decrease in previously accrued interest and penalties |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8,697 | 25,911 |  | 8,090 |  |  |
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective income tax rate |  |  |  |  |  |  | 58,300 | 58,300 |  |  |  |  |  |
Decreases for unrecognized tax benefits as a result of a lapse in the statute of limitations |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 14,300 | 14,300 |  |  |  |  |  |
Provisions for losses from tax audits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | (66,813) | 65,001 |  | 117,730 |  |  |
Chile |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Benefits from change in tax rate law |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 2,967 | $ 850 |  | $ 2,700 | $ 6,100 |  |
Domestic Tax Authority |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percent of operating loss carryforwards |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 49.44% |  |  |  |  | 49.44%
State and Local Jurisdiction |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Percent of operating loss carryforwards |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 19.22% |  |  |  |  | 19.22%
Foreign Tax Authority | Tax Authority, Spain |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Number of tax audits (audit) | audit |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 2 |
Possible loss from tax audits | $ 13,118 | € 11,051 | $ 20,401 | € 17,187 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Letters of credit outstanding, amount |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 39,505 |  |  |  |  | € 33,282
Provisions for losses from tax audits |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | $ 42,100 | € 37,610 |  |  |  |
Foreign Tax Authority | Tax Authority, Spain | Subsequent Event |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items] |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Income taxes paid |  |  |  |  | $ 35,100 | € 29,600 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

X
- Definition Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance, Period Of Cumulative Loss Position + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowancePeriodOfCumulativeLossPosition
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Utilization Of Operating Loss Carryforwards + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationUtilizationOfOperatingLossCarryforwards
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Income Tax Examination, Number Of Tax Audits + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_IncomeTaxExaminationNumberOfTaxAudits
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:integerItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Operating Loss Carryforwards, Percent + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_OperatingLossCarryforwardsPercent
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | num:percentItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Tax Cuts And Jobs Act, Incomplete Accounting, Change In Tax Rate, Deferred Tax Asset, Provisional Income Tax Expense, Net of Adjustments + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_TaxCutsAndJobsActIncompleteAccountingChangeInTaxRateDeferredTaxAssetProvisionalIncomeTaxExpenseNetofAdjustments
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tax Cuts And Jobs Act, Incomplete Accounting, Change In Tax Rate, Provisional Income Tax Expense (Benefit) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_TaxCutsAndJobsActIncompleteAccountingChangeInTaxRateProvisionalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tax Cuts And Jobs Act, Incomplete Accounting, Provisional Income Tax Expense (Benefit) + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_TaxCutsAndJobsActIncompleteAccountingProvisionalIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tax Cuts And Jobs Act, Incomplete Accounting, Transition Tax For Accumulated Foreign Earnings, Provisional Income Tax Expense + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_TaxCutsAndJobsActIncompleteAccountingTransitionTaxForAccumulatedForeignEarningsProvisionalIncomeTaxExpense
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Tax Cuts And Jobs Act, Incomplete Accounting, Transition Tax For Accumulated Foreign Earnings, Provisional Liability + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | laur_TaxCutsAndJobsActIncompleteAccountingTransitionTaxForAccumulatedForeignEarningsProvisionalLiability
Namespace Prefix: | laur_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of decrease reasonably possible in the next twelve months for the unrecognized tax benefit. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (d)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DecreaseInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossible
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of deferred tax assets for which it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32537-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to domestic operations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesDomestic
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The portion of earnings or loss from continuing operations before income taxes that is attributable to foreign operations, which is defined as Income or Loss generated from operations located outside the entity's country of domicile. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)(1)(i)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesForeign
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Estimated amount of loss resulting from an adverse tax position. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (d)(3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxExaminationEstimateOfPossibleLoss
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of current income tax expense (benefit) and deferred income tax expense (benefit) pertaining to continuing operations. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Subparagraph (a),(b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32639-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of the difference between reported income tax expense (benefit) and expected income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the domestic federal statutory income tax rates to pretax income (loss) from continuing operations, attributable to increase (decrease) in the income tax rates. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32687-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32698-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84176650&loc=d3e32059-109318 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxReconciliationChangeInEnactedTaxRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of cash paid during the current period to foreign, federal, state, and local authorities as taxes on income. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=d3e4297-108586 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Subparagraph (f) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxesPaid
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of the contingent obligation under letters of credit outstanding as of the reporting date. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_LettersOfCreditOutstandingAmount
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_OperatingLossCarryforwardsLineItems
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries intended to be permanently reinvested outside the country of domicile. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 944 -SubTopic 740 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6487024&loc=d3e29054-158556 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 942 -SubTopic 740 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6479915&loc=d3e66715-112838 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 995 -SubTopic 740 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6503627&loc=d3e59836-110443 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=96869850&loc=d3e28200-109314 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 30 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (b)(c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6424122&loc=d3e41874-109331 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UndistributedEarningsOfForeignSubsidiaries
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount accrued for interest on an underpayment of income taxes and penalties related to a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed in the tax return. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition Amount of expense for interest on an underpayment of income taxes and penalties related to a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed in the tax return. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=d3e32718-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of increase (decrease) in unrecognized tax benefits attributable to uncertain tax positions taken in tax returns. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=SL6600010-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsPeriodIncreaseDecrease
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15A -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=84230637&loc=SL6600010-109319 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementGeographicalAxis=country_CL
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis=us-gaap_ForeignCountryMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityNameAxis=us-gaap_TaxAuthoritySpainMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis=us-gaap_SubsequentEventMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |