Income Taxes

We compute and apply to ordinary income an estimated annual effective tax rate on a quarterly basis based on current and forecasted business levels and activities, including the mix of domestic and foreign results and enacted tax laws. The estimated annual effective tax rate is updated quarterly based on actual results and updated operating forecasts. Ordinary income refers to income (loss) before income tax expense excluding significant, unusual, or infrequently occurring items. The tax effect of an unusual or infrequently occurring item is recorded in the interim period in which it occurs as a discrete item of tax.

The following table summarizes the provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015:



	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2014			2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Tax (benefit) expense	$	(5,287	)	$	534
Pretax loss	$	(16,804	)	$	(55,074	)
Effective tax rates	31.5		%	(1.0		)%

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the effective tax rate differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% primarily due to recent losses in the U.S. where we receive no tax benefit due to a full valuation allowance and worldwide earnings from various countries. The recognition of the valuation allowance does not result in or limit the Company's ability to utilize these tax assets in the future. The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2014 reflects a discrete period effective tax rate applied to ordinary income of 31.5%. A discrete period calculation was used to report the tax provision for the first three months of 2014 rather than an estimated annual effective tax rate because the estimated range of forecasted annual profit before tax produces significant variability and makes it difficult to reasonably estimate the annual effective tax rate. Discrete items of tax included in the three month periods ended March 31, 2014 and 2015 were not material.

As of March 31, 2015, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $3.7 million, $2.7 million of which, if recognized, would have a favorable impact on our effective tax rate.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and various state and foreign jurisdictions. All U.S. federal tax years prior to 2012 are generally closed by statute or have been audited and settled with the applicable domestic tax authorities. All other jurisdictions are still open to examination beginning after 2008.

We continue to assess the need for valuation allowances against deferred tax assets based on determinations of whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax benefits will be realized through the generation of future taxable income. Appropriate consideration is given to all available evidence, both positive and negative, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance. Examples of positive evidence would include a strong earnings history, an event or events that would increase our taxable income through a continued reduction of expenses, and tax planning strategies that would indicate an ability to realize deferred tax assets. In circumstances where the significant positive evidence does not outweigh the negative evidence in regards to whether or not a valuation allowance is required, we have maintained valuation allowances on those net deferred tax assets.