Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Note 7 — Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2012 is lower than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate primarily due to the amount of income earned in foreign tax jurisdictions that is taxed at lower rates than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate.

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2012 was 30% as compared to 29% for the year ended September 30, 2012. The annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2012 reflected the U.S. federal research and development credit generated through December 31, 2011, the date on which the credit expired, in addition to being decreased by the favorable resolution of tax matters with various tax authorities which was offset by additional U.S. taxes from receipt of a foreign dividend.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $8.3 million as of December 31, 2012 and $8.3 million as of September 30, 2012, exclusive of interest and penalties. At December 31, 2012, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits from permanent tax adjustments that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective rate was $6.4 million. During the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that resolution of reviews by taxing authorities, both domestic and international, could be reached with respect to approximately $4.9 million of the unrecognized tax benefits depending on the timing of examinations, expiration of statute of limitations, either because our tax positions are sustained or because we agree to their disallowance and pay the related income tax.

We are subject to ongoing audits from various taxing authorities in the jurisdictions in which we do business.  As of December 31, 2012, the tax years open under the statute of limitations in significant jurisdictions include 2007-2011 in the U.K., 2007-2011 in New Zealand and 2008-2011 in the U.S. We have effectively settled all tax matters with the IRS for fiscal years prior to fiscal year 2011. We believe we have adequately provided for uncertain tax issues that have not yet resolved with federal, state and foreign tax authorities.