Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

(8)   Income Taxes

The consolidated income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was determined based upon estimates of the Company's consolidated effective income tax rates for the years ending December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The difference between the consolidated effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate is primarily attributable to state income taxes, foreign income taxes and the effect of certain permanent differences.

The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was 12.4% compared to 14.8 % for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is due primarily to higher pretax income from foreign operations where statutory rates are lower than the U.S. income tax rates.

The Company recognizes in the financial statements a liability for tax uncertainty if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, based on the technical merits of the position. As of March 31, 2013, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $0.2 million, which if recognized, would reduce the Company's effective tax rate. Total accrued interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits was less than $0.1 million as of March 31, 2013. The Company does not believe the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2013 will increase or decrease for the remainder of 2013.

The Company's U.S. federal income tax returns for 2008 and 2009 are currently under examination.