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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
NOTE 5 — INCOME TAXES
The Company’s effective tax rate from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 45% and 38%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was greater than the Federal statutory rate due to expenses associated with the revaluation of liabilities associated with the purchase of Big Fish Games, state and local income tax expense and certain expenses that were not deductible for tax purposes. These additional tax expenses were partially mitigated by the manufacturing deduction that will be available associated with the development of social games by Big Fish Games.
Certain tax authorities may periodically audit the Company, and the Company may occasionally be assessed interest and penalties by tax jurisdictions. The Company recognizes accrued interest from uncertain income tax benefits in its income tax provision, while penalties are accrued in selling, general and administrative expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded $0.1 million interest expense related to uncertain income tax benefits and had gross uncertain tax benefits of $3.0 million as of March 31, 2015. If these benefits had been recognized, there would have been a $1.6 million decrease to annual income tax expense. $1.1 million of the uncertain tax positions were related to issues that existed prior to the acquisition of Big Fish Games, and to the extent that these liabilities are incurred, they would be reimbursed by the pre-acquisition shareholders of Big Fish Games, in conjunction with a tax indemnity agreement.
During October 2012, the Company funded a $2.9 million income tax payment to the State of Illinois related to a dispute over its state income tax apportionment methodology, which was recorded as an other asset. The Company filed its state income tax returns related to the years 2002 through 2005 following the methodology prescribed by Illinois statute; however, the State of Illinois has taken a contrary tax position. The Company filed a formal protest with the State of Illinois during the fourth quarter of 2012. The Company does not expect this issue to have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.