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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 26, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

11. Income Taxes

The Company determines its estimated annual effective tax rate at the end of each interim period based on facts known at that time. The estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to the year-to-date pre-tax income at the end of each interim period. The tax effect of significant unusual items is reflected in the period in which they occur. Since the Company is incorporated in Canada, it is required to use Canada’s statutory tax rate of 27.0% in the determination of the estimated annual effective tax rate.

The Company’s effective tax rate on income from continuing operations of 28.2% and 30.6% for the three and nine months ended September 26, 2014, respectively, differ from the Canadian statutory rate of 27.0% primarily due to the mix of income earned in jurisdictions with varying tax rates, losses in jurisdictions with a full valuation allowance, and the impact of discrete items for the period. The Company’s effective tax rate on income from continuing operations of 40.6% and 48.4% for the three and nine months ended September 27, 2013, respectively, differ from the Canadian statutory rate primarily due to the mix of income earned in jurisdictions with varying tax rates, losses in jurisdictions with a full valuation allowance, and the impact of discrete items for the period.

The Company maintains a valuation allowance on some of its deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions. A valuation allowance is required when, based upon an assessment of various factors, including recent operating loss history, anticipated future earnings, and prudent and reasonable tax planning strategies, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

In conjunction with the Company’s ongoing review of its actual results and anticipated future earnings, the Company continuously reassesses the possibility of releasing the remaining valuation allowance currently in place on its deferred tax assets. A release would be reported as a reduction to income tax expense without any impact on cash flows in the quarter in which it is released.

On September 13, 2013, the IRS released final tangible property regulations under Sections 162(a) and 263(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), regarding the deduction and capitalization of expenditures related to tangible property. In addition, the IRS proposed regulations under Section 168 of the Code regarding dispositions of tangible property. These final and proposed regulations will be effective for the Company’s fiscal year ending December 31, 2014. The Company is in the process of reviewing the regulations and the related impact on its consolidated financial statements.