Income Taxes (Notes)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate was (15)% and (53)% for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The effective tax rate was (12)% and 44% for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate was primarily attributable to the amount and distribution of income and losses among the various jurisdictions in which we operate. The effective tax rates were also impacted by operating gains and losses generated in jurisdictions where no tax expense or benefit was recognized due to the maintenance of a full valuation allowance.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, income tax expense relates primarily to income from certain foreign operations. In 2017, losses in the United States and certain foreign jurisdictions had no impact on income tax expense as no tax benefit was recognized due to the maintenance of a full valuation allowance. In 2016, the income tax expense related to the gain on dispositions was substantially reduced by net operating loss utilization which was offset by a decrease to the respective valuation allowances.