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INCOME TAXES
 9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
INCOME TAXES
11.
INCOME TAXES
 
Our effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal 2011 was 30% in comparison to 42% for the same period in fiscal 2010. The decrease in the effective tax rate period-over-period was primarily due to changes in the geographic mix of income or loss between tax jurisdictions and reduction in statutory tax rates in certain foreign jurisdictions.  We recorded an income tax provision during the first nine months of fiscal 2011 of approximately $3.7 million compared to an income tax benefit of $3.3 million for the same period in fiscal 2010, as a result of the increase in pre-tax income period-over-period.
 
Our unrecognized tax benefits were $220,000 as of July 31, 2011 and $196,000 as of October 31, 2010, and in each case included accrued interest.   
 
We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as components of our income tax provision.  We believe our unrecognized tax positions meet the minimum statutory threshold to avoid payment of penalties and, therefore, no tax penalties have been estimated.  As of July 31, 2011, the gross amount of interest accrued, reported in Accrued expenses and other, was approximately $28,000, which did not include the federal tax benefit of interest deductions.

 
We file U.S. federal and state income tax returns, as well as tax returns in several foreign jurisdictions.  The statutes of limitations with respect to unrecognized tax benefits will expire between July 2012 and August 2014.