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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jul. 02, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate for the three months ended July 2, 2016 was a benefit of 34.2% on a net loss compared to expense of 136.8% for the three months ended June 27, 2015. The effective tax rate for the six months ended July 2, 2016 was a benefit of 18.3% on a net loss reported in the period compared to 188.5% on income for the six months ended June 27, 2015.

Our tax rate is subject to adjustment over the balance of the prior fiscal year ended due to, among other things: income tax rate changes by governments; the jurisdictions in which our profits are determined to be earned and taxed; changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns; adjustments to our interpretation of transfer pricing standards; changes in available tax credits, grants and other incentives; changes in stock-based compensation expense; changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws (for example, proposals for fundamental U.S. international tax reform); changes in U.S. GAAP; expiration of or the inability to renew tax rulings or tax holiday incentives; and the repatriation of earnings with respect to which we have not previously provided for taxes.

Israel passed legislation in January 2016, effective immediately, reducing the tax rate from 26.5% to 25%. The impact on our effective tax rate was minimal.

The total liability for uncertain tax positions was $371.7 million and $340.3 million as of July 2, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, before considering the federal tax benefit of certain state and local items.

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. The total amount accrued for interest and penalties in the liability for uncertain tax positions was $60.7 million and $52.1 million as of July 2, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

We file income tax returns in numerous jurisdictions and are therefore subject to audits by tax authorities. Our primary income tax jurisdictions are Ireland, the U.S., Israel, Belgium, France, and the U.K.

Although we believe that the tax estimates are reasonable and that we prepare our tax filings in accordance with all applicable tax laws, the final determination with respect to any tax audit and any related litigation could be materially different from estimates or from historical income tax provisions and accruals. The results of an audit or litigation could have a material effect on our operating results and/or cash flows in the periods for which that determination is made. In addition, future period earnings may be adversely impacted by litigation costs, settlements, penalties, and/or interest assessments.

The IRS audit of our fiscal years ended June 27, 2009 and June 26, 2010 had previously concluded with the issuance of a statutory notice of deficiency on August 27, 2014. While we had previously agreed on certain adjustments and made associated payments of $8.0 million, inclusive of interest in November 2014, the statutory notice of deficiency asserted various additional positions, including transfer pricing, relative to the same audit of fiscal years ended June 27, 2009 and June 26, 2010. The statutory notice asserted an incremental tax obligation of approximately $68.9 million, inclusive of interest and penalties. We disagree with the IRS’s positions asserted in the notice of deficiency. In January 2015, we paid this amount, a prerequisite to being able to contest the IRS’s positions in U.S. Federal court, and in June 2015, we filed a request for a refund. The IRS denied our request for a refund. We anticipate filing a complaint in federal district court claiming a refund for these amounts in the first quarter of 2017. The payment was recorded during the three months ended March 28, 2015 as a deferred charge on the balance sheet given our anticipated action to recover this amount. An unfavorable resolution of this matter could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements in future periods.

We have ongoing audits in multiple jurisdictions for which tax returns are not yet settled. These jurisdictions include, but are not limited to, the United States and Belgium. The IRS is auditing our fiscal years ended June 25, 2011 and June 30, 2012, and may make adjustments consistent with their claims for the 2009 - 2010 audit period. In February 2016, the Belgium Tax Authority notified us that all Belgium locations will be audited for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of any audit or related litigation.