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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
At the end of each interim period, we estimate a base effective tax rate that we expect for the full fiscal year based on our most recent forecast of pre-tax income, permanent book and tax differences and global tax planning strategies. We use this base rate to provide for income taxes on a year-to-date basis, excluding the effect of significant unusual or extraordinary items and items that are reported net of their related tax effects. We record the tax effect of significant unusual or extraordinary items and items that are reported net of their tax effects in the period in which they occur.
The effective tax rate was 25.5 percent and 27.4 percent in the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent in each period primarily because we benefited from lower non-U.S. tax rates.
The amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits was $41.1 million and $38.9 million at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively, of which the entire amount would reduce our effective tax rate if recognized.
Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits were $5.8 million and $8.1 million at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, respectively. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision.
If the unrecognized tax benefits were recognized, the net reduction to our income tax provision, including the recognition of interest and penalties and offsetting tax assets, would be $22.6 million as of December 31, 2014.
There was no material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the three months ended December 31, 2014. We believe it is reasonably possible that the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by up to $20.2 million in the next 12 months as a result of the resolution of tax matters in various global jurisdictions and the lapses of statutes of limitations. If all of the unrecognized tax benefits were recognized, the net reduction to our income tax provision, including the recognition of interest and penalties and offsetting tax assets, could be up to $3.0 million.
We conduct business globally and are routinely audited by the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years before 2012 and are no longer subject to state, local and foreign income tax examinations for years before 2003.