INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	8. INCOME TAXES For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company's effective tax rate was 4.3% and 3.0%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s effective tax rate was 32.7% and 14.7%, respectively. The Company’s year to date effective tax rate decreased compared to the corresponding period from the prior year primarily due to the reversal of accrued uncertain tax position liabilities associated with the processing of outstanding amended returns that were accepted in the first and third quarters of 2017 and the associated refunds received. The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of the existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred over the three year period ended December 31, 2016. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as projections for taxable earnings. The income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 does not include income tax benefits for all of the losses incurred because the Company recorded valuation allowances against significantly all of its federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets. The Company has recorded valuation allowances against the associated deferred tax assets for the amounts it deems are not more likely than not realizable. Based on management’s belief that not all the net operating losses are realizable, a federal valuation allowance and additional state valuation allowances were maintained during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. In addition, due to the Company’s recent operating losses and valuation allowances, the Company may recognize reduced or no tax benefits on future losses on the condensed consolidated financial statements. The amount of the valuation allowances considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased, or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as projections for future growth.

8. INCOME TAXES

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company's effective tax rate was 4.3% and 3.0%, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company’s effective tax rate was 32.7% and 14.7%, respectively. The Company’s year to date effective tax rate decreased compared to the corresponding period from the prior year primarily due to the reversal of accrued uncertain tax position liabilities associated with the processing of outstanding amended returns that were accepted in the first and third quarters of 2017 and the associated refunds received.

The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit the use of the existing deferred tax assets. A significant piece of objective negative evidence evaluated was the cumulative loss incurred over the three year period ended December 31, 2016. Such objective evidence limits the ability to consider other subjective evidence, such as projections for taxable earnings.

The income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 does not include income tax benefits for all of the losses incurred because the Company recorded valuation allowances against significantly all of its federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets. The Company has recorded valuation allowances against the associated deferred tax assets for the amounts it deems are not more likely than not realizable. Based on management’s belief that not all the net operating losses are realizable, a federal valuation allowance and additional state valuation allowances were maintained during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. In addition, due to the Company’s recent operating losses and valuation allowances, the Company may recognize reduced or no tax benefits on future losses on the condensed consolidated financial statements. The amount of the valuation allowances considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased, or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as projections for future growth.