Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes |
3 Months Ended |
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Mar. 31, 2016 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes |
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
We apply the accounting guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. At March 31, 2016 we had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $6.0 million, all of which would favorably impact our effective tax rate upon recognition, primarily related to foreign operations. At March 31, 2015, we had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $8.2 million, including $3.6 million of benefits which would favorably impact our effective tax rate upon recognition, primarily related to foreign operations. In addition, we recognize interest and penalties that could be applied to uncertain tax positions in periodic income tax expense. As of March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015, we had approximately $1.9 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we received assessments from a foreign tax authority related to prior year income tax returns. Previously recorded reserves were in excess of the assessed amounts and an income tax benefit of $1.4 million was recorded during the quarter. Management believes that the Company is properly reserved with respect to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes.
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