Income Tax Expense

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Tax Expense [Abstract]

Income Tax Expense

8. INCOME TAX EXPENSE

The first quarter 2013 effective income tax rate was 17.2% compared to 37.6% in the first quarter of 2012. The release of accruals related to uncertain tax positions as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations favorably reduced the 2013 first quarter effective income tax rate by 23.5%. On January 2, 2013, the President of the United States signed into law the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which reinstated the research tax credit retroactive to January 1, 2012. This is expected to reduce the 2013 effective tax rate by 2.1%. Including this reduction, the Company estimates the fiscal 2013 tax rate will be approximately 33%.

There was no material change in the unrecognized tax benefits of the Company during the three-month period ended December 31, 2012. The Company does not anticipate a material change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.