NOTE 4. INCOME TAXES

On a quarterly basis, we estimate what our effective tax rate will be for the full fiscal year and record a quarterly income tax provision based on the anticipated rate. As the year progresses, we refine our estimate based on the facts and circumstances by each tax jurisdiction. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2013 was 29%, compared with 35% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, respectively. The effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2013 is expected to be 28% compared to 32% for the year ended December 31, 2012. The decreases are principally due to the federal government retroactively reinstating the research and development credit for the 2012 tax year and extending it to 2013.

The differences between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012 are as follows:

	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30						September 30
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Statutory federal tax provision	$	105,000		$	61,000		$	245,000		$	186,000
State income taxes	16,000			2,000			39,000			18,000
Income tax credits	(48,000		)	(4,000		)	(151,000		)	(10,000		)
Change in uncertain tax positions	11,000			10,000			33,000			18,000
Other	3,000			(12,000		)	(2,000		)	(20,000		)
Income tax expense	$	87,000		$	57,000		$	164,000		$	192,000

At September 30, 2013, we had $182,000 of net uncertain tax benefit positions recorded in other long-term liabilities that would reduce our effective income tax rate if recognized. The $42,000 increase from December 31, 2012 primarily relates to 2012 and 2013 state research and experimentation credits.