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INCOME TAXES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES
At the end of each interim period, the Company makes its best estimate of the annual expected effective income tax rate and applies that rate to its ordinary year-to-date earnings or loss. The income tax provision or benefit related to significant, unusual, or extraordinary items, if applicable, that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effects are individually computed and recognized in the interim period in which they occur. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates, tax status, judgment on the realizability of a beginning-of-the-year deferred tax asset in future years or the liabilities for uncertain tax positions is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs.
The computation of the annual expected effective income tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected pre-tax income (or loss) for the year, projections of the proportion of income (and/or loss) earned and taxed in foreign jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision or benefit for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained or our tax environment changes. To the extent that the expected annual effective income tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in income tax provision in the quarter in which the change occurs.
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded an income tax benefit for continuing operations of $12.0 million and $5.8 million, respectively. The income tax benefit for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 are due primarily to the realization of certain deferred tax assets, a reduction in tax reserves and related interest due to the expiration of statutes of limitations, and the non-taxable gain on contingent consideration fair value adjustments in the current year period, partially offset by state taxes. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company recorded an income tax provision for continuing operations of $29.9 million and $51.3 million, respectively, which represents effective income tax rates of 251% and 76%, respectively. The effective rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014 are higher than the statutory rate of 35% due primarily to the largely unbenefited loss associated with the write-downs of certain of the Company's investments, interest on reserves for income tax contingencies, and state taxes, partially offset by foreign income taxed at lower rates.
The Company recognizes interest and, if applicable, penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision. Included in the income tax provision for continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015, is a $0.1 million benefit and a $0.2 million benefit, respectively, net of related deferred taxes, for interest on unrecognized tax benefits. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has accrued $2.2 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the payment of interest. At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has accrued $2.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively, for penalties.
The Company is routinely under audit by federal, state, local and foreign authorities in the area of income tax. These audits include questioning the timing and the amount of income and deductions and the allocation of income and deductions among various tax jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service is currently auditing the Company’s federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2010 through 2012. Various other jurisdictions are open to examination for various tax years beginning with 2009. Income taxes payable include reserves considered sufficient to pay assessments that may result from examination of prior year tax returns. Changes to reserves from period to period and differences between amounts paid, if any, upon resolution of audits and amounts previously provided may be material. Differences between the reserves for uncertain tax positions and the amounts owed by the Company are recorded in the period they become known.
At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, are $25.9 million and $33.2 million, respectively. If unrecognized tax benefits at June 30, 2015 are subsequently recognized, $23.9 million, net of related deferred tax assets and interest, would reduce income tax provision for continuing operations. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by $3.4 million within twelve months of June 30, 2015 primarily due to settlements and expiration of statutes of limitations.