10.

INCOME TAXES

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that such tax rate changes are enacted.

The measurement of a deferred tax asset is reduced, if necessary, by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of both September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had provided a valuation allowance against certain state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $0.1 million. For interim periods, we recognize an income tax provision/(benefit) based on our estimated annual effective tax rate expected for the entire year. We calculate income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation arrangements using the with and without method.

We use 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, as well as guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties and financial statement reporting disclosures. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. We have not identified any uncertain income tax positions that could have a material impact on the financial statements. We are subject to taxation in various jurisdictions and all of our income tax returns remain subject to examination by tax authorities due to the availability of NOL carryforwards.

We recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized tax exposures as a component of income tax expense. We did not have any such amounts accrued as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

We have elected to exclude the impacts from significant pre-tax non-recognized subsequent events from our estimated annual effective rate. The utilization of our NOL carryforwards will be limited in future years as prescribed by Section 382 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code.

The effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2015 was 31.4% of pre-tax income reported in the period, calculated based on the estimated annual effective rate anticipated for the year ending December 31, 2015. The 19.4% effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2015 was primarily driven by current quarter changes in forecasted pre-tax income, estimated permanent differences, and state income tax rates, as well as from the impact of current quarter exercises of incentives and non-qualified stock options and disqualifying dispositions of incentive stock options. For the comparable three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014, the effective tax rates were 18.6% and 16.9% of pre-tax income reported in the period, respectively, calculated based on the estimated annual effective rate anticipated for the year ended December 31, 2014.