7. INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

7. INCOME TAXES

We file income tax returns in the U.S. Federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. We are no longer subject to U.S. Federal tax examinations for years before 2009. State jurisdictions that remain subject to examination range from 2008 to 2011. Foreign jurisdiction tax returns that remain subject to examination range from 2006 to 2011 for Canada and from 2006 to 2011 for Puerto Rico. We do not believe there will be any material changes in our uncertain tax positions over the next 12 months.

Our policy is to accrue interest and penalties on any uncertain tax position as a component of income tax expense. As of March 31, 2013, no such expenses were recognized during the quarter.

We provided for income taxes at an estimated effective tax rate of 35% and 36% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.