Note J – Income Taxes

The Company’s effective income tax rate generally exceeds the U.S. Federal statutory tax rate of 35.0%. The effective tax rate is calculated as the amount of income tax expense divided by income before income tax expense. For the three-month periods in 2014 and 2013, the Company’s effective income tax rates were as follows:


	2014			2013
Three months ended March 31		49.3	%		49.3	%

The effective tax rates for the periods presented exceeded the U.S. Federal tax rate of 35.0% due to several factors, including: the effects of income generated in foreign tax jurisdictions, certain of which have tax rates that are higher than the U.S. Federal rate; U.S. state tax expense; and certain expenses, including exploration and other expenses in certain foreign jurisdictions, for which no income tax benefits are available or are not presently being recorded due to a lack of reasonable certainty of adequate future revenue against which to utilize these expenses as deductions.

The Company’s tax returns in multiple jurisdictions are subject to audit by taxing authorities. These audits often take years to complete and settle. Although the Company believes that recorded liabilities for unsettled issues are adequate, additional gains or losses could occur in future years from resolution of outstanding unsettled matters. As of March 31, 2014, the earliest years remaining open for audit and/or settlement in our major taxing jurisdictions are as follows: United States – 2010; Canada – 2008; United Kingdom – 2011; and Malaysia – 2006.