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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was (6.9)%, compared to 5.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2014 . The significant items impacting the 2015 rate include a net state and foreign tax provision, certain permanent items, and a change in the valuation allowance established for the net deferred tax asset balance projected for December 31, 2015. 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 March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, substantially all of our net deferred tax assets were subject to a valuation allowance.

Customarily, a loss before income taxes would generate income tax benefit. Our income tax expense reported for the three months ended March 31, 2015, notwithstanding the corresponding loss before income taxes, results from foreign and certain state taxable income; no net U.S. federal benefit is recognizable after the required valuation allowance for an expected federal loss carryforward.

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 material as most of the carryforwards to which this ownership change applies already have been significantly limited by previous ownership changes occurring in 2011 and 2013.