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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Income taxes for the interim periods presented have been included in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements on the basis of an estimated annual effective tax rate. Based on an estimated annual effective tax rate and discrete items, the estimated income tax benefit for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $7.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively. The determination of the interim period income tax provision utilizes the effective tax rate method, which requires us to estimate certain annualized components of the calculation of the income tax provision, including the annual effective tax rate by entity and jurisdiction.
We continually evaluate all positive and negative information to determine if our deferred tax assets are realizable in accordance with ASC 740-10-30, which states that "all available evidence shall be considered in determining whether a valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is needed". In December 2015, the proposed comprehensive settlement agreements resolving outstanding litigation relating to our past marketing representations and information security programs were approved by the Federal Trade Commission, (FTC), the representatives of a national class of consumers, and the court. As a result of these settlements, we paid $100 million in December 2015, resulting in a remaining cumulative accrual of $16 million. Based on the reserves of $96 million and $20 million recorded in the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, we have three years of cumulative pretax net losses. We reviewed the cumulative settlement of $116 million and determined that it was non-recurring in nature, not indicative of future performance, and, as such, would not materially affect our ability to generate taxable income in the future. In addition to excluding the impact of the non-recurring settlement amounts, we have seen improving pre-tax book income over the past 5 years and we are forecasting to continue generating pre-tax book income. As a result of the consideration of the factors discussed above, we believe that it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize our net deferred tax assets not currently subject to a valuation allowance.