Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Income Taxes	6. INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective tax rate was approximately 37% and 38%, respectively, for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to 43% and 42%, respectively, in the corresponding prior year periods. The Company’s effective tax rate in the current quarter was lower than the prior year quarter mainly due to a change in apportionment methodology for certain states and the effect of a favorable benefit related to the federal research and development tax credit totaling approximately $0.2 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013. The Company’s effective tax rate in the current year-to-date period was lower than the prior year period mainly due to a change in apportionment methodology for certain states and the effect of a favorable benefit related to the federal research and development tax credit totaling approximately $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was recognized in 2013, and approximately $0.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act retroactively extended the federal research and development credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 41 (which previously expired at the end of 2011) through the end of 2013. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, the Company recognized the impact of this legislation for the 2012 tax year in 2013, when the Act was signed into law.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

6. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate was approximately 37% and 38%, respectively, for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to 43% and 42%, respectively, in the corresponding prior year periods. The Company’s effective tax rate in the current quarter was lower than the prior year quarter mainly due to a change in apportionment methodology for certain states and the effect of a favorable benefit related to the federal research and development tax credit totaling approximately $0.2 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013. The Company’s effective tax rate in the current year-to-date period was lower than the prior year period mainly due to a change in apportionment methodology for certain states and the effect of a favorable benefit related to the federal research and development tax credit totaling approximately $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, which was recognized in 2013, and approximately $0.3 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013. On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (the “Act”) was signed into law. The Act retroactively extended the federal research and development credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 41 (which previously expired at the end of 2011) through the end of 2013. In accordance with authoritative accounting guidance, the Company recognized the impact of this legislation for the 2012 tax year in 2013, when the Act was signed into law.