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INCOME TAXES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
9.  INCOME TAXES

The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various states and foreign jurisdictions.  The Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal examinations by tax authorities for years before 2012 and for state examinations before 2009.   Regarding foreign subsidiaries, the Company is no longer subject to examination by tax authorities for years before 2005 in Asia and generally 2008 in Europe.  At March 31, 2016, the Company was under examination by the taxing authorities in Germany for the tax years 2011-2013.  This audit concluded in April 2016 and resulted in an immaterial amount of incremental tax expense.

As a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations for specific jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized benefits for tax positions taken regarding previously filed tax returns may change materially from those recorded as liabilities for uncertain tax positions in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2016.  The Company's liabilities for uncertain tax positions totaled $40.4 million and $42.2 million at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, of which $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, is included in other current liabilities.  These amounts, if recognized, would reduce the Company's effective tax rate.  As of March 31, 2016, approximately $5.1 million of the Company's liabilities for uncertain tax positions are expected to be resolved during 2016 by way of settlement or expiration of the related statute of limitations.
 
In connection with the acquisition of the Power Solutions business in 2014, the Company acquired a liability for additional uncertain tax positions related to various tax matters for the years 2007 through 2013.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016, a portion of these tax matters was resolved with the taxing authorities which resulted in a reduction of $2.6 million in the liability for uncertain tax positions, of which $1.3 million related to interest and penalties. Resolution of the remaining tax matters are being actively pursued with the applicable taxing authority.  From the date of acquisition through March 31, 2016, the Company has recorded $3.8 million of interest and penalties pertaining to this issue, of which $0.4 million was reversed during the three months ended March 31, 2016 in relation to the settlement of the exposure.  The Company will continue to accrue approximately $1.9 million annually until the issues are resolved.

The Company's policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits arising from uncertain tax positions as a component of the current provision for income taxes.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized $0.5 million and $0.9 million, respectively, in interest and penalties in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.  During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized a benefit of $1.3 million and an immaterial amount, respectively, for the reversal of such interest and penalties.  The Company has approximately $3.2 million and $4.0 million, accrued for the payment of such interest and penalties at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, which is included in both other current liabilities and liability for uncertain tax positions in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

The Company continues to monitor proposed legislation affecting the taxation of transfers of U.S. intangible property and other potential tax law changes.