Income Taxes (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure

Income Taxes

Income tax expense during interim periods is based on our estimated annual effective income tax rate plus any discrete items, which are recorded in the period in which they occur. Discrete items include, among others, such events as changes in estimates due to the finalization of tax returns, tax audit settlements, expiration of statutes of limitation, and increases or decreases in valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. Our effective tax rate was 35.3% and 81.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 36.5% and 60.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The higher effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to the gain on required divestitures associated with the Stewart acquisition. The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2015 is above the 35% federal statutory tax rate primarily due to the state expense partially offset by state legislative changes and foreign earnings taxed at lower rates.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of September 30, 2015, the total amount of our unrecognized tax benefits was $191.7 million and the total amount of our accrued interest was $50.4 million. Additional interest expense of $2.8 million was accrued during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

A number of years may elapse before particular tax matters, for which we have unrecognized tax benefits, are settled. While we have effectively concluded our 2003 through 2005 tax years with respect to our affiliate, SCI Funeral & Cemetery Purchasing Cooperative, Inc., SCI and subsidiaries' tax years 1999 through 2005 remain under review at the IRS Appeals level. SCI and subsidiaries are under audit for 2006-2007 as a result of carry back claims. Furthermore, SCI and its affiliates are under audit by various state and foreign jurisdictions for years 2010 through 2013. The outcome of each of these audits cannot be predicted at this time. It is reasonably possible that the amount of our unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease over the next twelve months either because we prevail on positions or because the tax authorities prevail. Due to the uncertainty regarding the timing of completion of audits and possible outcomes, a current estimate of the range of increases or decreases that may occur within the next twelve months cannot be made.