Note 7 — Income Taxes

The effective tax rates for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2014 were 28.3% and 26.5%, respectively. The effective tax rates for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2013 were 13.5% and 17.7%, respectively. The variance is primarily attributable to projected year-over-year increases in profitability in the United States and the 2013 tax benefit of a reduction in the U.K. statutory tax rate.

Income taxes have been provided based on the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and at the local statutory rate for each foreign jurisdiction adjusted for items that are allowed as deductions for federal and foreign income tax reporting purposes, but not for book purposes. The primary differences between the statutory rate and our effective rate from continuing operations are as follows:


	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30,				September 30,
	2014		2013		2014		2013

Statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Foreign provision	(7.2)		(12.3)		(7.8)		(11.8)
Tax return to accrual adjustment	-		(4.0)		-		(2.3)
Change in U.K. tax rate	-		(5.6)		-		(3.3)
Other	0.5		0.4		(0.7)		0.1
Effective rate	28.3	%	13.5	%	26.5	%	17.7	%

In June 2014, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) and the Joint Committee on Taxation completed the examination procedures including all appeals and administrative reviews that the taxing authorities are required and expected to perform for the 2006 through 2010 audit period. In September 2014, we received an income tax refund in the amount of $35.2 million that was pending the conclusion of the examination. The refund was primarily attributable to the utilization of a net operating loss carryback from 2010.