NOTE 9— INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 38.3% and 44.6% for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is lower than the comparable prior year period primarily due to the tax differential on net income attributable to noncontrolling interests during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2014, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $20,900, state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $22,000, and foreign tax credit carryforwards of $342. The Company’s federal net operating loss carryforwards will expire in the tax year ending December 31, 2029, the state net operating loss carryforwards will expire in 2031, and the foreign tax credit carryforwards will expire in 2022.

The Company establishes a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Tax benefits of operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are evaluated on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carryforward period, and other circumstances. As a result of the common stock offering that was completed on June 5, 2014, the Company had a more than 50% ownership shift in accordance with Internal Revenue Code Section 382. Accordingly, the Company may be limited to the amount of net operating loss that may be utilized in future taxable years depending on the Company’s actual taxable income. As of September 30, 2014, the Company believes that the net operating loss that existed as of the more than 50% ownership shift will be utilized in future tax periods and it is more-likely-than-not that future taxable earnings will be sufficient to realize its deferred tax assets and has not provided an allowance.

The Company’s uncertain tax positions are related to tax years that remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities. The Company is currently open to audit under the statute of limitations by the Internal Revenue Service for the calendar year ended December 31, 2010 to 2013. The Company and its subsidiaries’ state tax returns are also open to audit under similar statutes of limitations for the same tax years. The Company accrues interest on unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized as a component of income tax expense. The Company had no such accrued interest or penalties included in the accrued liabilities associated with unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption.