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Taxation
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
TAXATION
TAXATION
Interim Tax Calculation Method
We use the estimated annual effective tax rate method for computing our interim tax provision. This method applies our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected for the full year to our year-to-date earnings before income taxes. We provide for income tax expense or benefit based upon our pre-tax earnings and the provisions of currently enacted tax laws. Certain items deemed to be unusual, infrequent or not reliably estimated, are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. In the event such items are identified, the actual tax expense or benefit is reported in the same period as the related item. Certain other items are not included in the estimated annual effective tax rate, such as changes in the assessment of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions, if any.
Interim Tax Expense (Benefit)
The effective tax rates on income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 were 14.5% and 13.3%, respectively, as compared to 24.2% and 18.8%, respectively, for the comparative periods in 2015. The effective tax rate on income differs from the statutory rate of 0% due to tax on foreign operations (primarily the United States and United Kingdom) and an increase in the assessment of valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. We have foreign operating subsidiaries and branch operations principally located in the United States, United Kingdom, Continental Europe and Australia that are subject to federal, foreign, state and local taxes in those jurisdictions. Deferred income tax liabilities have not been accrued with respect to the undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries. If the earnings were to be distributed, as dividends or other distributions, withholding taxes may be imposed by the jurisdiction of the paying subsidiary. For our U.S. subsidiaries, we have not currently accrued any withholding taxes with respect to un-remitted earnings as management has no current intention of remitting these earnings. For our United Kingdom subsidiaries, there are no withholding taxes imposed. For our other foreign subsidiaries, it would not be practicable to compute such amounts due to a variety of factors, including the amount, timing, and manner of any repatriation. Because we operate in many jurisdictions, our net earnings are subject to risk due to changing tax laws and tax rates around the world. The current, rapidly changing economic environment may increase the likelihood of substantial changes to tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate.
Assessment of Valuation Allowance on Deferred Tax Assets
We have estimated the future taxable income of our foreign subsidiaries and have provided a valuation allowance in respect of loss carryforwards where we do not expect to realize a benefit. We have considered all available evidence using a “more likely than not” standard in determining the amount of the valuation allowance. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, we recognized an increase of $1.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively, in our deferred tax asset valuation allowance.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
We had no unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions as at either June 30, 2016 or December 31, 2015.
Tax Examinations
Our operating subsidiaries may be subject to audit by various tax authorities and may have different statutes of limitations expiration dates. With limited exceptions, our major subsidiaries that operate in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia are no longer subject to tax examinations for years before 2012, 2012 and 2009, respectively.