INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	12.INCOME TAXES The income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter, the estimate of the annual effective tax rate is updated, and if the estimated effective tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. There is a potential for volatility of the effective tax rate due to several factors, including changes in the mix of the pre-tax income and the jurisdictions to which it relates, changes in tax laws and international tax holidays, settlements with taxing authorities and foreign currency fluctuations. The Company has net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in certain international jurisdictions expiring through 2017. The Company evaluates the future realizability of the tax loss and credit carryforwards considering the anticipated future earnings and tax planning strategies in the international jurisdictions. The effective income tax rate as a percentage of income before income taxes was 29.9% and 24.2% for the third quarter 2016 and 2015, respectively and 31.5% and 27.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effective tax rate for 2016 contains discrete items for tax return to accrual and other adjustments and the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The effective rate before discrete item for 2016 and 2015 varies from the statutory rate due to permanent differences, state taxes and the difference in US and international tax rates and the mix of international and domestic income. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 prospectively and ASU 2015-17 retrospectively as of January 1, 2016. These pronouncements impact the accounting and disclosure for income taxes (refer to Note 17).

INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2016

12.INCOME TAXES

The income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items, if any, that are taken into account in the relevant period. Each quarter, the estimate of the annual effective tax rate is updated, and if the estimated effective tax rate changes, a cumulative adjustment is made. There is a potential for volatility of the effective tax rate due to several factors, including changes in the mix of the pre-tax income and the jurisdictions to which it relates, changes in tax laws and international tax holidays, settlements with taxing authorities and foreign currency fluctuations.

The Company has net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards in certain international jurisdictions expiring through 2017. The Company evaluates the future realizability of the tax loss and credit carryforwards considering the anticipated future earnings and tax planning strategies in the international jurisdictions.

The effective income tax rate as a percentage of income before income taxes was 29.9% and 24.2% for the third quarter 2016 and 2015, respectively and 31.5% and 27.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The effective tax rate for 2016 contains discrete items for tax return to accrual and other adjustments and the adoption of ASU 2016-09. The effective rate before discrete item for 2016 and 2015 varies from the statutory rate due to permanent differences, state taxes and the difference in US and international tax rates and the mix of international and domestic income.

The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 prospectively and ASU 2015-17 retrospectively as of January 1, 2016. These pronouncements impact the accounting and disclosure for income taxes (refer to Note 17).