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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 was 137.5% and 18.2%, compared to (19.7)% and 7.9%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. The significant items impacting the 2014 rate include the settlement of several audits with the Internal Revenue Service as described below, a net state and foreign tax provision, certain permanent items, an intraperiod tax allocation required by ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” and a change in the valuation allowance established for the net deferred tax asset balance projected for December 31, 2014. We recognize valuation allowances on deferred tax assets if, based on the weight of the evidence, we determine it is more likely than not such assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances are included in our tax provision in the period of change. In determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted, we evaluate factors such as prior years’ earnings history, expected future earnings, loss carry-back and carry-forward periods, reversals of existing deferred tax liabilities and tax planning strategies that potentially enhance the likelihood of the realization of a deferred tax asset. At September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, substantially all of our net deferred tax assets were subject to a valuation allowance.

Concurrent with the financing transactions of January 31, 2014 described in the "2014 Financing Transactions" footnote, the Company experienced a change of ownership as described in Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code.  The impact of the 2014 ownership change on the Company’s ability to utilize its Net Operating Loss carryforwards and other tax attributes is not expected to be material, as the carryforwards to which this ownership change would apply already have been significantly limited by previous ownership changes occurring in 2011 and 2013.

During the third quarter, 2014, we settled certain tax litigation with the Internal Revenue Service regarding tax years 2005 through 2007, resulting in refunds of $4.7 million and the recognition of $2.3 million of federal tax benefit. Further, the resolution of certain issues resulted in the recognition of $5.6 million of previously unrecognized tax benefits and the reversal of $1.5 million of related interest previously accrued. The resolution of the federal audits resulted in an estimated $1.7 million of additional state tax liability.