XML 24 R10.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Income Taxes

4. Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 was 11.6%. As discussed in Note 1 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements, the company adopted an accounting standard update that resulted in the recognition of excess tax benefits to the income tax provision upon settlement of share-based compensation awards. As a result, the effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 reflected a benefit of $27.0 million partially offset by the discrete tax effects of litigation charges.

The effective tax rate for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was 18.7% which reflected the discrete tax effects of litigation charges related to product liability claims, which were incurred in a high tax jurisdiction. See Note 7 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

At March 31, 2017, the total amount of liability for unrecognized tax benefits related to federal, state and foreign taxes was $21.9 million (of which $18.8 million would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized) plus $2.9 million of accrued interest. At December 31, 2016, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $21.5 million plus $2.6 million of accrued interest. Depending upon the result of open tax examinations and/or the expiration of applicable statutes of limitation, the company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $4.9 million within the next 12 months.