Income taxes

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was approximately $44.7 million as of March 30, 2014 and $46.5 million as of December 29, 2013. The following table summarizes the activity related to unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the federal tax benefit of state tax deductions:



In thousands	Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Balance at Dec. 29, 2013	$	57,324
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits:
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	1,506
Reductions for tax positions of prior years	(2,465		)
Reductions due to lapse of statutes of limitations	(572		)
Balance at Mar. 30, 2014	$	55,793

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Interest income attributable to overpayment of income tax is recognized as a component of income tax expense. We recognized a net benefit from the reversal of interest and penalty expense of $1.3 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $12.7 million during the first quarter of 2013. The net interest and penalty benefits recognized in the first quarter of 2014 and 2013 are primarily from the release of uncertain tax positions and the lapse of statutes of limitations. The amount of net accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits as of March 30, 2014, was approximately $10.2 million and as of December 29, 2013, was approximately $11.5 million.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The 2010 through 2012 tax years remain subject to IRS examination. The 2009 through 2012 tax years generally remain subject to examination by state authorities, and the tax year 2012 is subject to examination in the U.K. Tax years before 2009 remain subject to examination by certain states primarily due to the filing of amended tax returns as a result of the settlement of the IRS examination for these years and due to ongoing audits.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized benefits with respect to certain of our unrecognized tax positions will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. These changes may be the result of settlement of ongoing audits, lapses of statutes of limitations or other regulatory developments. At this time, we estimate the amount of gross unrecognized tax positions may be reduced by up to approximately $7.8 million within the next 12 months primarily due to lapses of statutes of limitations and settlement of ongoing audits in various jurisdictions.