13)	Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was (2.0)% and 16.3%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to the discrete release of income tax reserves related to the effective settlement of foreign tax examinations in the first and third quarters of 2014. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 also benefited from a third quarter discrete release of income tax reserves related to the expiration of the statute of limitations for a previously open tax year and a third quarter discrete benefit resulting from foreign tax credits recognized on the payment of a dividend from a foreign subsidiary. The geographic mix of income and profits earned by the Company’s international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate and the deduction for domestic production activities also had an impact in reducing the effective tax rate in the three and nine month periods.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 was 80.4% and 44.8%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, and related income tax expense was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate primarily due to a decision made during the quarter ended September 30, 2013 to pay currently, at a substantially reduced rate, taxes on certain accumulated earnings of its Israeli subsidiary relating to calendar year periods 2002 through 2011 covered under its tax holiday that expired on December 31, 2011. This additional charge was partially offset by additional U.S. tax incentives realized by the Company and recognized as discrete events during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, and the geographic mix of income and profits earned by the Company’s international subsidiaries being taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate. Additionally, certain tax incentives realized by the Company were recognized as discrete events during the quarter ended March 31, 2013. These incentives were reinstated under The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 that was signed into law on January 2, 2013.

At September 30, 2014 the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $32,318. At December 31, 2013 the total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which excludes interest and penalties, was approximately $47,684. The net decrease from December 31, 2013 was primarily attributable to a release in reserves for uncertain tax positions due to the effective settlement of foreign tax examinations and the expiration of the statute of limitations related to a previously open tax year. As of September 30, 2014, if these benefits were recognized in a future period, the timing of which is not estimable, the net unrecognized tax benefit of $15,286, excluding interest and penalties, would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company accrues interest expense, and if applicable penalties, for any uncertain tax positions. Interest and penalties are classified as a component of income tax expense. At September 30, 2014, and December 31, 2013, the Company had accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $1,340 and $2,159, respectively.

The Company and its subsidiaries are subject to examination by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The Internal Revenue Service commenced an examination of the Company’s U.S. federal tax filings for tax years 2007 through 2009 during the quarter ended June 30, 2012. As a result, the U.S. statute of limitations remains open between tax years 2007 through 2009 and from 2011 through the present. However, carryforward amounts from prior years may still be adjusted upon examination by tax authorities if they are used in a future period. The statute of limitations for the Company’s tax filings in other jurisdictions varies between fiscal years 2005 through the present.