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INCOME TAXES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
INCOME TAXES  
INCOME TAXES

14. INCOME TAXES

Our effective income tax rates for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 were provisions of 27.9 percent and 15.3 percent, respectively, compared to provisions of 30.2 percent and 31.5 percent, respectively, for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013. The effective income tax rates were determined using the estimated annual effective tax rate after considering discrete items for each respective period. The effective income tax rates for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2014 were lower than the United States statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to various permanent differences including deductions for manufacturing activities and the favorable impact of changes in uncertain tax positions (cumulative $3.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2014). The effective income tax rates for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2013 were lower than the United States statutory federal income tax rate primarily due to various permanent differences, including deductions for manufacturing activities.