Provision for Income Taxes Reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]

Summary of Income Tax Contingencies [Table Text Block]

We apply the provisions of FASB Topic Income Taxes regarding the treatment of uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits follows:

	Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)	2016			2015			2014
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,141		$	3,321		$	1,190
Increases based on tax positions taken in the current year	178			88			213
Increases based on tax positions taken in the prior years	230			248			2,268
Decreases based on tax positions taken in the prior years	—			(1,161		)	—
Decreases due to settlements with tax authorities	(665		)	(1,355		)	(350		)
Decreases due to lapse of applicable statute of limitation	—			—			—
Balance at end of period	$	884		$	1,141		$	3,321

Of the $0.9 million balance of unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2016, $0.8 million would reduce our effective tax rate if recognized.

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2016, we recorded a decrease in our accruals of less than $0.2 million, resulting in recorded liabilities of approximately $0.1 million for the payment of tax-related interest and penalties. At December 31, 2015 and 2014, our recorded liabilities for the payment of tax-related interest and penalties totaled approximately $0.3 million for both years.

It is unlikely that our previously unrecognized tax benefits will change significantly in the next twelve months.