INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	(6) INCOME TAXES The income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, primarily related to excess tax benefits on stock option exercises. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 discrete items adjusted were $0.3 million. At June 30, 2019 the Company is currently estimating an annual effective tax rate of approximately 28%. Each quarter, the estimate of the annual effective tax rate is updated, and if the estimated effective tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. There is a potential for volatility of the effective tax rate due to various factors. The provision for income taxes is recorded at the end of each interim period based on the Company’s best estimate of its effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 27% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Discrete items recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $0.3 million for both periods. The Company recorded income tax expense of $0.4 million and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and income tax expense of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. Taxes of $2.0 million and $0.2 million were paid during the six months ended June 30 2019 and 2018, respectively.

(6) INCOME TAXES

The income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, primarily related to excess tax benefits on stock option exercises. For the six months ended June 30, 2019 discrete items adjusted were $0.3 million. At June 30, 2019 the Company is currently estimating an annual effective tax rate of approximately 28%. Each quarter, the estimate of the annual effective tax rate is updated, and if the estimated effective tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. There is a potential for volatility of the effective tax rate due to various factors.

The provision for income taxes is recorded at the end of each interim period based on the Company’s best estimate of its effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. The Company’s effective income tax rate was 27% for the six months ended June 30, 2019. Discrete items recognized during the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $0.3 million for both periods. The Company recorded income tax expense of $0.4 million and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, and income tax expense of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018.

Taxes of $2.0 million and $0.2 million were paid during the six months ended June 30 2019 and 2018, respectively.