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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

NOTE L – INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate was 29% and 31% for the three month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and 33% and 32% for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The lower effective tax rate for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 compared to the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35% is primarily due to increased earnings in jurisdictions with lower tax rates than the U.S. federal statutory rate where such earnings are permanently reinvested. The lower effective tax rate for the three month period ending September 30, 2013 compared with the same period for 2012 was primarily related to favorable discrete items recognized in the quarter for a decrease of unrecognized tax benefits which the Company considers to have been effectively settled. The higher effective tax rate for the nine month period ending September 30, 2013 compared with the same period for 2012 was primarily due to the Company’s decision not to recognize the tax benefit attributable to operating losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by favorable discrete items recognized in the quarter.

The Company provides valuation allowances against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of its deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company recorded $.5 million valuation allowance as a discrete item against deferred tax assets existing as of December 31, 2012 for one of its foreign operations during the nine period ended September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $.7 million. Under the provisions of ASC 740 Income Taxes, the Company reduced previously unrecognized tax benefits by $.2 million primarily due to the expiration of statute of limitations. The Company recognized $.5 million of additional unrecognized tax benefits for the three month period ended September 30, 2013 due to a decrease of unrecognized tax benefits which the Company considers to have been effectively settled.