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INCOME TAXES (Block)
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure Abstract  
Income Tax Disclosure Text Block

9. INCOME TAXES

Tax Rates For The Six Months And Three Months Ended June 30, 2018

The effective income tax rates were 20.5% and 13.5% for the six months and three months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, which was determined using a forecasted rate based upon taxable income for the year. The income tax rate is estimated to be lower than in previous years primarily due to: (i) an income tax benefit resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) that was enacted on December 22, 2017, which reduced the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from the previous rate of 35% to 21%; and (ii) a reduction in non-deductible transaction costs in 2018 due to the closing of the Merger on November 17, 2017.

Tax Rates For The Six Months And Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

The effective income tax rates were 72.9% and 37.4% for the six months and three months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. These rates were impacted by: (i) merger and acquisition costs that result in an increase in the annual estimated effective tax rate; and (ii) a discrete windfall income tax benefit, described below. The annual estimated effective tax rate is estimated to be higher than in previous years primarily due to the amount of merger and acquisition costs forecasted for 2017 as a result of the Merger, as a significant portion of these costs are not deductible for federal and state income tax purposes.

As a result of adopting the amended accounting guidance for stock-based compensation on January 1, 2017, the Company recorded, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, a discrete windfall income tax benefit of $0.8 million from the vesting of stock-based awards with tax deductions in excess of the compensation expense recorded. Refer to Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Policies, for additional information.

Net Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities

As of June 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017, net deferred tax liabilities were $604.8 million and $609.8 million, respectively. The income tax accounting process to determine the deferred tax liabilities involves estimating all temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting bases of the Company’s assets and liabilities, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the period in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The Company estimated the current exposure by assessing the temporary differences and computing the provision for income taxes by applying the estimated effective tax rate to income.

The Company has calculated the accounting for the tax effects of enactment of TCJA as written, and made a reasonable estimate of the effects of the existing deferred tax balances. The Company is continuing to analyze certain aspects of the new legislation and refining its calculations, which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts. In addition, the Company’s estimates may also be affected as further legislative guidance is published, including those related to the deductibility of purchased assets, state tax treatment, and amounts related to employee compensation.