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INCOME TAXES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES
The Company’s Income tax benefit of $5.1 million and $40.0 million reflect effective tax rates of (82.5)% and 10,930% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, inclusive of discrete income and loss items recorded in the quarterly financial statements. Under GAAP, quarterly effective tax rates may vary significantly depending on the actual operating results in the various tax jurisdictions and significant transactions, as well as changes in the valuation allowance related to the expected recovery of deferred tax assets.
For the three months ended March 31, 2016, when compared to the same period in 2015, the decrease in the tax benefit and effective income tax rate was primarily attributable to the release of a U.S. federal valuation allowance in 2015. At March 31, 2016, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $6.3 million compared to $3.3 million at December 31, 2015, representing a net increase of $3.0 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2016. If recognized, $4.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits would affect the Company’s effective tax rate. We did not recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits during the three month ended March 31, 2016.
We are currently not under income tax audit examination in any material jurisdictions in which we operate.