XML 27 R16.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

On a quarterly basis, the Company estimates the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year and makes changes if necessary based on new information or events. The estimated annual effective tax rate is forecast based on actual historical information and forward-looking estimates and is used to provide for income taxes in interim reporting periods. The Company also recognizes the tax impact of certain unusual or infrequently occurring items, such as the effects of changes in tax laws or rates and impacts from settlements with tax authorities, discretely in the quarter in which they occur. Additionally, the annual effective tax rate differs from the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to the impact of state income taxes, the tax benefit related to railroad track maintenance credit transactions, and to benefits or costs related to various permanent book to tax differences and tax credits.

For the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $7.7 million at an effective tax rate of (40.1)%, which varied from the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to the recording of a $42.0 million goodwill impairment charge which did not provide a corresponding tax benefit. For the three months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $7.7 million at an effective tax rate of 33.2%.

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $5.1 million at an effective tax rate of (20.8)%, which varied from the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to the recording of the $42.0 million goodwill impairment charge noted above. For the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded income tax expense of $0.4 million at an effective tax rate of 189.6% which varied from the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35% primarily due to a 174.7% discrete tax charge related to state income taxes.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, the company agreed to a state income tax assessment that had been under appeal. The related $0.3 million reserve for unrecognized tax benefits has been reclassified as currently payable state income tax.