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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

 

12.  INCOME TAXES

 

The Company records income tax expense or benefit during interim periods based on its best estimate of the annual effective tax rate. Certain items are given discrete period treatment and, as a result, the tax effects of such items are reported in full in the relevant interim period.

 

Income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 was $17.8 million and $44.3 million, respectively, compared to an income tax expense of $4.3 million and $5.9 million, respectively, for the same periods in 2013. The effective tax rate (calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to income before income taxes) was approximately 35.5% and 37.0% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, respectively, and 41.8% and 40.9% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 reflects the release of a valuation allowance for state tax credits, as well as new state tax credits generated, that the Company expects to utilize in the future, and an income tax deduction for qualified production activities. This was partially offset by a change in estimate related to the Company’s filing position in various jurisdictions.

 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions was $0.3 million as of June 30, 2014 and $0.2 million as of December 31, 2013. Recognition of these benefits would have a favorable impact on the Company’s effective tax rate. The increase during the six months ended June 30, 2014 is due to a change in estimate related to the Company’s filings in certain jurisdictions.

 

The 2014 annual effective tax rate can be affected as a result of variances among the estimates and amounts of full-year sources of taxable income (both among the various states and activity types), the realization of tax credits, adjustments that may arise from the resolution of tax matters under review, variances in the release of valuation allowances and the Company’s assessment of its liability for uncertain tax positions.