Note 7 - Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

7.     Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 38.25% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012.  In determining our quarterly provision for income taxes, we use an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on our expected annual income, statutory tax rates, best estimate of nontaxable and nondeductible items of income and expense and the ultimate outcome of tax audits.

At March 31, 2013, we had a total of $26.4 million in gross unrecognized tax benefits, which are a component of other long-term liabilities on our balance sheet. Of this amount, $17.1 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate.  The total amount of accrued interest and penalties for such unrecognized tax benefits was $4.4 million at March 31, 2013.