INCOME TAXES

Earnings before income taxes were as follows:


Fiscal years ended October 31		2015		2014		2013

Earnings before income taxes:
U.S.	$	254,276	$	239,501	$	213,509
Non-U.S.		36,755		16,944		13,204

Total	$	291,031	$	256,445	$	226,713

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to the company's consolidated effective tax rate is summarized as follows:


Fiscal years ended October 31	2015		2014		2013

Statutory federal income tax rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Domestic manufacturer's deduction	(1.7	)	(1.9	)	(2.0	)
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit	2.2		1.5		1.5
Non-U.S. taxes	(3.1	)	(1.2	)	(0.3	)
Federal research tax credit	(0.9	)	(0.2	)	(2.4	)
Other, net	(0.8	)	(1.0	)	(0.1	)

Consolidated effective tax rate	30.7	%	32.2	%	31.7	%

Components of the provision for income taxes were as follows:


Fiscal years ended October 31		2015			2014			2013

Provision for income taxes:
Current –
Federal	$	75,496		$	75,815		$	61,388
State		9,389			5,997			5,108
Non-U.S.		6,219			3,672			5,734

Current provision	$	91,104		$	85,484		$	72,230

Deferred –
Federal	$	430		$	(3,047	)	$	824
State		–			(81	)		91
Non-U.S.		(2,094	)		219			(1,277	)

Deferred benefit		(1,664	)		(2,909	)		(362	)

Total provision for income taxes	$	89,440		$	82,575		$	71,868

During the fiscal years ended October 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013, respectively, $8,459, $8,857, and $6,134 was added to stockholders' equity reflecting the permanent book to tax difference in accounting for tax benefits related to employee stock-based award transactions.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to the net deferred income tax assets are presented below:


October 31		2015			2014

Deferred tax assets (liabilities):
Compensation and benefits	$	41,341		$	40,412
Warranty and insurance		12,067			8,787
Advertising and sales allowance		10,474			8,954
Depreciation		(7,689	)		3,096
Other		12,264			11,660

Deferred tax assets	$	68,457		$	72,909
Valuation allowance		(1,801	)		(4,012	)

Net deferred tax assets	$	66,656		$	68,897

The valuation allowance as of October 31, 2015 and 2014 principally applies to capital loss carryforwards and foreign net operating loss carryforwards that are expected to expire prior to utilization. In fiscal 2015, the valuation allowance decreased due to the release in certain foreign jurisdictions as deferred tax assets were determined more likely than not to be realized.

As of October 31, 2015, the company had net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $15,354 in foreign jurisdictions. The carryforward periods are as follows: $10,871 that do not expire; and $4,483 that expire between fiscal years 2017 and 2022.

No provision has been made for U.S. federal income taxes on certain undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries the company intends to permanently invest or that may be remitted substantially tax-free. The total of undistributed earnings that would be subject to federal income tax if remitted under existing law is approximately $96,494 as of October 31, 2015. Determination of the unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable because of the complexities with its hypothetical calculation. Upon distribution of these earnings, the company will be subject to U.S. taxes and withholding taxes payable to various foreign governments. A credit for foreign taxes already paid would be available to reduce the U.S. tax liability.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:


Balance as of October 31, 2014	$	5,042
Increase as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period		801
Decrease as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period		(138	)
Increase as a result of tax positions taken during the current period		807
Decrease relating to settlements with taxing authorities		(169	)

Balance as of October 31, 2015	$	6,343

The company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes. In addition to the liability of $6,343 for unrecognized tax benefits as of October 31, 2015 was an amount of approximately $1,356 for accrued interest and penalties.

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits as of October 31, 2015 are potential benefits of $5,636 that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate from continuing operations.

The company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, and numerous state and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, and non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for taxable years before fiscal 2010. The Internal Revenue Service is nearing completion of an audit for fiscal years 2010 through 2012, with no material adjustments to income tax expense or unrecognized tax benefits expected. The company is also under audit in several state jurisdictions, and expects various statutes of limitation to expire during the next 12 months. Due to the uncertain response of taxing authorities, a range of outcomes cannot be reasonably estimated at this time.