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Valuation Allowances on Deferred Tax Assets (Notes)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Valuation Allowances on Deferred Tax Assets [Text Block]
Valuation Allowances on Deferred Tax Assets
As of March 31, 2017, we had $144.4 million of deferred tax assets related to domestic and foreign net operating losses that are available to reduce future taxable income. In assessing the realizability of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.
In performing this analysis as of March 31, 2017 in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, we assessed the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated is the cumulative loss incurred over the three-year period ended December 31, 2016. Such objective negative evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective positive evidence, such as projections for taxable income in future years. As a result, we may recognize a benefit only to the extent that reversals of deferred income tax liabilities are expected to generate taxable income in each relevant jurisdiction in future periods which would offset our deferred tax assets.
Our domestic net operating losses have a 20 year carryforward period and can be used to offset future domestic taxable income until their expiration, beginning in 2030, with the latest expiration in 2036. However, we determined that a valuation allowance should be recorded against a significant portion of the benefit generated in 2017. The valuation allowance is the primary factor causing our effective tax rate to be significantly lower than the statutory rate of 35%. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, would be increased if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as projected future taxable income.
The majority of our foreign net operating losses have an indefinite carryforward period. However, as a result of the conditions leading to the impairment of our assets in Colombia during 2015 and the continued industry downturn, we have a valuation allowance that fully offsets our foreign deferred tax assets at March 31, 2017.