PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:

Income-tax expense includes a provision for federal, state and foreign taxes based on the annual estimated effective tax rate applicable to the Company and its subsidiaries, adjusted for certain discrete items which are fully recognized in the period they occur.

The Company's effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, were 2.6% and 1.2%, respectively. The difference between the statutory rate of 35% and the Company’s effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, was primarily due to the geographic distribution of the Company’s world-wide earnings in lower tax jurisdictions and federal research tax credits. Additionally, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 the rate was favorably impacted by the recognition of excess tax benefits of approximately $0.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively, related to share-based payments. Effective January 1, 2017, the Company adopted ASU 2016-09, under which all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies are recognized prospectively as income-tax expense or benefit in the income statement. For additional details on the adoption of ASU 2016-09, refer to Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements, in these Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company's effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, were 4.4% and 4.2%, respectively. The difference between the expected statutory rate of 35% and the Company's effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was due primarily to the geographic distribution of the Company’s world-wide earnings in lower tax jurisdictions and federal research tax credits.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company maintained a valuation allowance on its California deferred tax assets, New Jersey deferred tax assets and capital losses for federal purposes, and a valuation allowance with respect to its deferred tax assets relating to tax credits in Canada.

To ensure an additional source of U.S. cash, the Company plans to repatriate a portion of its current-year offshore earnings to the U.S. for domestic operations. The Company has accordingly provided for the estimated federal and state income taxes on such portion of its current year offshore earnings. If circumstances change and it becomes apparent that some or all of the undistributed earnings of the Company’s offshore subsidiary will be remitted in the foreseeable future but income taxes have not been recognized, the Company will accrue income taxes attributable to such undistributed earnings.

Determining the consolidated provision for income-tax expense, income-tax liabilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities involves judgment. The Company calculates and provides for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it operates, which involves estimating current tax exposures as well as making judgments regarding the recoverability of deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction. The estimates used could differ from actual results, which may have a significant impact on operating results in future periods.