INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES The Company recognized $123.4 million of income tax expense (or 36.2% of pre-tax income) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $114.6 million (or 37.3% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2012. The income tax rate was lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 as a result of changes to valuation allowances recorded against certain state deferred tax assets. The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal tax return and various consolidated and separate tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the state, local and international jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company’s 2010 and 2011 federal income tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company has various state and local jurisdiction tax years open to examination (the earliest open period is 2005), and the Company also has certain state and local jurisdictions currently under audit. As of September 30, 2013, the Company believes that it has appropriately reserved for potential federal and state income tax exposures. At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $12.6 million and $12.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, the Company is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $12.6 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had accrued approximately $5.2 million and $5.7 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, for potential interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to the ultimate settlement of uncertain tax positions, amounts previously accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.

INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

NOTE 10. INCOME TAXES

The Company recognized $123.4 million of income tax expense (or 36.2% of pre-tax income) during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to $114.6 million (or 37.3% of pre-tax income) for the same period in 2012. The income tax rate was lower for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period in 2012 as a result of changes to valuation allowances recorded against certain state deferred tax assets.

The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal tax return and various consolidated and separate tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the state, local and international jurisdictions in which it operates. The Company’s 2010 and 2011 federal income tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service. The Company has various state and local jurisdiction tax years open to examination (the earliest open period is 2005), and the Company also has certain state and local jurisdictions currently under audit. As of September 30, 2013, the Company believes that it has appropriately reserved for potential federal and state income tax exposures.

At September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company had $12.6 million and $12.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. As of September 30, 2013, the Company is not aware of any tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $12.6 million. The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company had accrued approximately $5.2 million and $5.7 million at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively, for potential interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions. To the extent interest and penalties are not assessed with respect to the ultimate settlement of uncertain tax positions, amounts previously accrued will be reduced and reflected as a reduction of the overall income tax provision.