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Income Taxes
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

Note 13. Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 were 30.1 percent and 39.3 percent, respectively. The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was computed based on the Company’s estimated effective tax rate and forecasted income by jurisdiction expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year, including the impact of any unusual or infrequent items. The relatively low effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to the federal statutory rate of 35 percent was primarily due to foreign income which is taxed at lower rates.

 

Viad is required to estimate and record provisions for income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Accordingly, the Company must estimate its actual current income tax liability and assess temporary differences arising from the treatment of items for tax purposes as compared to the treatment for accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities which are included in Viad’s consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had gross deferred tax assets of $73.3 million and $77.2 million, respectively. These deferred tax assets reflect the expected future tax benefits to be realized upon reversal of deductible temporary differences and the utilization of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.

The Company considered all available positive and negative evidence regarding the future recoverability of its deferred tax assets, including the Company’s recent operating history, taxpaying history and future reversals of deferred tax liabilities. The Company also evaluated its ability to utilize its foreign tax credits, given its recent utilization history. These tax credits are subject to a 10-year carryforward period and begin to expire in 2019. Based on the Company’s assessment, it was determined during the fourth quarter of 2012 that the weight of the evidence indicated that certain deferred tax assets associated with foreign tax credit carryforwards no longer met the more-likely-than-not test regarding the realization of those assets. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had a valuation allowance of $14.7 million and $14.6 million, respectively, related to certain federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets. With respect to all other deferred tax assets, management believes that recovery from future taxable income is more-likely-than-not.

As noted above, Viad uses considerable judgment in forming a conclusion regarding the recoverability of its deferred tax assets. As a result, there are inherent uncertainties regarding the ultimate realization of these assets, which is primarily dependent upon Viad’s ability to generate sufficient taxable income in future periods. In future periods, it is reasonably possible that the relative weight of positive and negative evidence regarding the recoverability of Viad’s deferred tax assets may change, which could result in a material increase in the Company’s valuation allowance. If such an increase in the valuation allowance were to occur, it would result in increased income tax expense in the period the assessment was made.

Viad had accrued gross liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions for discontinued operations of $636,000 as of both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012. In addition, as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, Viad had accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions for discontinued operations of $426,000 and $418,000, respectively. Future tax resolutions or settlements that may occur related to these uncertain tax positions would be recorded through discontinued operations (net of federal tax effects, if applicable). Viad does not expect any of the unrecognized tax benefits to be recognized during the next 12 months. As of both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions (including interest and penalties) of $1.1 million were classified as non-current liabilities.