Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	NOTE 7—INCOME TAXES The Company maintains deferred tax assets that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. These deferred tax assets include net operating loss carryforwards, research credits and capitalized research and development costs. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain based on Sangamo’s history of losses. Accordingly, the Company’s net deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance. Utilization of operating losses and credits may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to ownership change provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 the deferred tax liability of $0.7 million that was recorded upon acquiring the IPR&D assets in 2013 was adjusted due to the impairment of these assets. This resulted in the recognition of a $0.7 million income tax benefit.

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

NOTE 7—INCOME TAXES

The Company maintains deferred tax assets that reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. These deferred tax assets include net operating loss carryforwards, research credits and capitalized research and development costs. Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain based on Sangamo’s history of losses. Accordingly, the Company’s net deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance. Utilization of operating losses and credits may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to ownership change provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in the expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization.

During the three months ended March 31, 2015 the deferred tax liability of $0.7 million that was recorded upon acquiring the IPR&D assets in 2013 was adjusted due to the impairment of these assets. This resulted in the recognition of a $0.7 million income tax benefit.