INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Apr. 03, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES The majority of our taxable income is generated in the U.S. and taxed at the U.S. statutory rate of 35%. The effective tax rates for the three months ended April 3, 2016 and April 5, 2015 were 32.3% and 34.7%, respectively. The 2016 effective tax rate benefited from the impacts of non-taxable income related to the settlement of the SGM liability and income tax benefits from historic and energy tax credits, which were partially offset by the valuation allowance recorded against current year SGM operating losses. Hershey and its subsidiaries file tax returns in the U.S., including various state and local returns, and in foreign jurisdictions. We believe adequate provision has been made for all income tax uncertainties. We are routinely audited by taxing authorities in our filing jurisdictions, and a number of these audits are currently underway. We reasonably expect reductions in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $6,433 within the next 12 months because of the expiration of statutes of limitations and settlement of tax audits. Investments in Partnerships Qualifying for Tax Credits The Company continued to invest in partnerships which make equity investments in projects eligible to receive federal historic and energy tax credits. The investments are accounted for under the equity method and reported within other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The tax credits, when realized, are recognized as a reduction of tax expense, at which time the corresponding equity investment is written-down to reflect the remaining value of the future benefits to be realized. For the three months ended April 3, 2016, we recognized investment tax credits and related outside basis difference benefit totaling $6,618 and wrote-down the equity investment by $5,593 to reflect the realization of these benefits. The equity investment write-down is reflected within other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Apr. 03, 2016

INCOME TAXES

The majority of our taxable income is generated in the U.S. and taxed at the U.S. statutory rate of 35%. The effective tax rates for the three months ended April 3, 2016 and April 5, 2015 were 32.3% and 34.7%, respectively. The 2016 effective tax rate benefited from the impacts of non-taxable income related to the settlement of the SGM liability and income tax benefits from historic and energy tax credits, which were partially offset by the valuation allowance recorded against current year SGM operating losses.

Hershey and its subsidiaries file tax returns in the U.S., including various state and local returns, and in foreign jurisdictions. We believe adequate provision has been made for all income tax uncertainties. We are routinely audited by taxing authorities in our filing jurisdictions, and a number of these audits are currently underway. We reasonably expect reductions in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $6,433 within the next 12 months because of the expiration of statutes of limitations and settlement of tax audits.

Investments in Partnerships Qualifying for Tax Credits

The Company continued to invest in partnerships which make equity investments in projects eligible to receive federal historic and energy tax credits. The investments are accounted for under the equity method and reported within other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The tax credits, when realized, are recognized as a reduction of tax expense, at which time the corresponding equity investment is written-down to reflect the remaining value of the future benefits to be realized. For the three months ended April 3, 2016, we recognized investment tax credits and related outside basis difference benefit totaling $6,618 and wrote-down the equity investment by $5,593 to reflect the realization of these benefits. The equity investment write-down is reflected within other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.