INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	12. INCOME TAXES The company’s tax rate was 24.1% and 18.0% for the second quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively and 24.1% and 22.5% for the first six months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The changes in the company’s tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of 2016 compared to second quarter and first six months of 2015 were primarily driven by the tax rate impact of discrete tax items and special gains and charges, as well as the permanent enactment of the R&D credit during the fourth quarter of 2015. The company recognized net expense related to discrete tax items of $3.9 million during the second quarter of 2016 and net benefits related to discrete tax items of $0.9 million during the first six months of 2016. Second quarter net expense was driven by individually immaterial items, including adjustments to deferred tax asset and liability positions. First quarter 2016 net benefits were driven primarily by the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of statute of limitations in non-U.S. jurisdictions. The company recognized net benefits related to discrete tax items of $39.4 million during the second quarter of 2015 and $36.8 million during the first six months of 2015. Second quarter net benefits resulted primarily from the company’s ability to recognize a worthless stock deduction for the tax basis in a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary. First quarter net expense was driven primarily by the change to a deferred tax liability resulting from the Naperville facility transaction discussed further in Note 5.

INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2016

12. INCOME TAXES

The company’s tax rate was 24.1% and 18.0% for the second quarter of 2016 and 2015, respectively and 24.1% and 22.5% for the first six months of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The changes in the company’s tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of 2016 compared to second quarter and first six months of 2015 were primarily driven by the tax rate impact of discrete tax items and special gains and charges, as well as the permanent enactment of the R&D credit during the fourth quarter of 2015.

The company recognized net expense related to discrete tax items of $3.9 million during the second quarter of 2016 and net benefits related to discrete tax items of $0.9 million during the first six months of 2016. Second quarter net expense was driven by individually immaterial items, including adjustments to deferred tax asset and liability positions. First quarter 2016 net benefits were driven primarily by the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions due to the expiration of statute of limitations in non-U.S. jurisdictions.

The company recognized net benefits related to discrete tax items of $39.4 million during the second quarter of 2015 and $36.8 million during the first six months of 2015. Second quarter net benefits resulted primarily from the company’s ability to recognize a worthless stock deduction for the tax basis in a wholly-owned domestic subsidiary. First quarter net expense was driven primarily by the change to a deferred tax liability resulting from the Naperville facility transaction discussed further in Note 5.