XML 63 R18.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the company recorded an income tax benefit of $1.2 million, compared to income tax expense of $2.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The decrease in the company's tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2015 relative to the prior year resulted primarily from a lower level of income. The company's effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to results of foreign operations that are subject to income taxes at different statutory rates.
The company will continue to periodically evaluate its valuation allowance requirements in light of changing facts and circumstances, and may adjust its deferred tax asset valuation allowances accordingly. It is reasonably possible that the company will either add to, or reverse a portion of its existing deferred tax asset valuation allowances in the future. Such changes in the deferred tax asset valuation allowances will be reflected in the current operations through the company’s income tax provision, and could have a material effect on operating results.
The company’s unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were $33.7 million as of March 31, 2015, and $33.3 million as of December 31, 2014. During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that $3.7 million of the unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate.
The company regularly assesses the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from examinations to determine the adequacy of its tax reserves.  As of March 31, 2015, the company believes that it is more likely than not that the tax positions it has taken will be sustained upon the resolution of its audits resulting in no material impact on its consolidated financial position and the results of operations and cash flows.  However, the final determination with respect to any tax audits, and any related litigation, could be materially different from the company’s estimates and/or from its historical income tax provisions and accruals and could have a material effect on operating results and/or cash flows in the periods for which that determination is made.  In addition, future period earnings may be adversely impacted by litigation costs, settlements, penalties, and/or interest assessments.