INCOME TAXES

During interim periods, we provide for income taxes based on our current estimated annual effective tax rate using assumptions as to (1) earnings and other factors that would affect the tax provision for the remainder of the year and (2) the operations of foreign branches and subsidiaries that are subject to local income and withholding taxes. We conduct business through several foreign subsidiaries and, although we expect our consolidated operations to be profitable, there is no assurance that profits will be earned in entities or jurisdictions that have net operating loss carryforwards available. The primary difference between (1) our effective tax rates of 31.3% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 (2) the federal statutory rate of 35% reflects our intention to indefinitely reinvest in certain of our international operations. As a result, we do not provide for U.S. taxes on that portion of our foreign earnings.

We conduct our international operations in a number of locations that have varying laws and regulations with regard to income and other taxes, some of which are subject to interpretation. We recognize the benefit for a tax position if the benefit is more likely than not to be sustainable upon audit by the applicable taxing authority. If this threshold is met, the tax benefit is then measured and recognized at the largest amount that we believe is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We do not believe that the total of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease in the next 12 months.

We account for any applicable interest and penalties on uncertain tax positions as a component of our provision for income taxes on our financial statements. Including associated foreign tax credits and penalties and interest, we have accrued a net total of $5.6 million in the caption "other long-term liabilities" on our balance sheet for unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2015. All additions or reductions to those liabilities would affect our effective income tax rate in the periods of change.

Our tax returns are subject to audit by taxing authorities in multiple jurisdictions. These audits often take years to complete and settle. The following lists the earliest tax years open to examination by tax authorities where we have significant operations:




Jurisdiction		Periods
United States		2011
United Kingdom		2011
Norway		2004
Angola		2009
Brazil		2009
Australia		2011