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INCOME TAXES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
INCOME TAXES  
INCOME TAXES

NOTE 10.        INCOME TAXES

 

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was 37.3%, down from 38.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease for the three months ended March 31, 2017 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily reflects a higher proportion of earnings from our Canadian operations, which are taxed at a lower corporate tax rate. The decrease is partially offset by a higher U.S. effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017, which is primarily driven by a higher overall effective state tax rate resulting from changes in our apportionment between the various states in which we operate. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 reflects the impact of discrete events including the recognition of excess tax benefits related to employee stock compensation as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-09.

 

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) as well as income tax returns in various states and Canada. US Ecology, Inc. is subject to examination by the IRS for tax years 2013 through 2016. EQ is also subject to examination by the IRS for tax years 2013 and 2014. We may be subject to examinations by the Canada Revenue Agency as well as various state and local taxing jurisdictions for tax years 2012 through 2016. We are currently not aware of any examinations by taxing authorities.

 

As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09 in the first quarter of 2017. The Company recorded all income tax effects of stock-based compensation awards in its provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations on a prospective basis. Adoption of ASU 2016-09 resulted in net excess tax benefits in our provision for income taxes of $68,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2017. No other provisions of ASU 2016-09 had a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements or disclosures.