Income Taxes:

Our income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the periods presented:



	Successor						Predecessor
	Three Months Ended			For the 44 Day Period Ended			For the 47 Day Period Ended
	March 29, 2015			March 30, 2014			February 14, 2014
	(in thousands, except percentages)
Federal and state income taxes	$	12,174		$	(1,533	)	$	914
Foreign income taxes	272			(5		)	104
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	12,446		$	(1,538	)	$	1,018
Effective rate	45.8		%	10.0		%	59.1		%

Our effective income tax rate of 45.8% for the three months ended March 29, 2015, 10.0% for the 44 day period ended March 30, 2014, and 59.1% for the 47 day period ended February 14, 2014, differs from the statutory rate primarily due to the unfavorable impact of non-deductible costs related to the Merger and Merger related litigation.

Our liability for uncertain tax positions (excluding interest and penalties) was $2.3 million and $1.9 million as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, respectively, and if recognized would decrease our provision for income taxes by $1.4 million. Within the next twelve months, we could settle or otherwise conclude income tax audits and /or have expiring statutes of limitations. As such, it is reasonably possible that the liability for uncertain tax positions could decrease by as much as $0.2 million as a result of settlements with certain taxing authorities and expiring statutes of limitations within the next twelve months.

The total accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as of March 29, 2015 and December 28, 2014, was $1.6 million and $1.5 million, respectively. On the Consolidated Balance Sheets, we include current interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in “Accrued interest,” current penalties in “Accrued expenses” and noncurrent accrued interest and penalties in “Other noncurrent liabilities.”