INCOME TAXES

The Company reported the following operating results for the periods presented (in thousands):



	Three months ended
	April 3, 2015			March 28, 2014
Loss before income taxes	$	(2,943	)	$	(7,133	)
Benefit from income taxes	(286		)	(1,723		)
Effective income tax rate	9.7		%	24.2		%

The Company's quarterly income taxes reflect an estimate of the corresponding fiscal year's annual effective tax rate and include, where applicable, adjustments for discrete tax items.

In the three months ended April 3, 2015, the Company's effective income tax rate was 9.7%. The rate for the three months ended April 3, 2015 is lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily because the loss before income taxes for three months ended April 3, 2015 included the loss on impairment of VJU investment (see Note 4, "Investments in Other Equity Securities") for which no tax benefit can be recognized. The effective tax rate for the three months ended April 3, 2015 excluding the loss on impairment of VJU would be approximately 65% and this is higher than the U.S. federal rate of 35% primarily due to an increase in the Company's U.S. current and non-current income tax payable as well as maintaining a full valuation allowance against all of the Company's U.S. deferred tax assets.

In the three months ended March 28, 2014, the Company's effective rate was 24.2%, lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35%, primarily due to favorable tax rates associated with certain earnings from operations in lower-tax jurisdictions, partially offset by the detriment from non-deductible stock-based compensation and non-deductible amortization of foreign intangibles, and various net discrete tax adjustments. For three months ended March 28, 2014, the discrete adjustments to the Company's tax benefit were primarily the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions.

The Company files U.S. federal and state, and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with varying statutes of limitations during which such tax returns may be audited and adjusted by the relevant tax authorities. The 2011 through 2014 tax years generally remain subject to examination by U.S. federal and most state tax authorities. In significant foreign jurisdictions, the 2006 through 2014 tax years generally remain subject to examination by their respective tax authorities. In the first quarter of 2015, the Israeli tax authority commenced an audit of a subsidiary of the Company for the 2012 and 2013 tax years. If, upon the conclusion of this audit, the ultimate determination of taxes owed in Israel is for an amount in excess of the tax provision the Company has recorded in the applicable period, the Company's overall tax expense, effective tax rate, operating results and cash flow could be materially and adversely impacted in the period of adjustment.

The Company's operations in Switzerland are subject to a reduced tax rate under the Switzerland tax holiday which requires various thresholds of investment and employment in Switzerland. The Company has met these various thresholds and the Switzerland tax holiday is effective through the end of 2018.

As of April 3, 2015, the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, was approximately $16.3 million, that if recognized, would affect the Company's effective tax rate. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax positions in income tax expense. The Company had $0.6 million of gross interest and penalties accrued as of April 3, 2015. The Company will continue to review its tax positions and provide for, or reverse, unrecognized tax benefits as issues arise. As of April 3, 2015, the Company anticipates that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits will decrease up to approximately $1.0 million due to expiration of the applicable statues of limitations over the next twelve months.