Income Taxes

The components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows (in thousands):



	Fiscal Year Ended
	November 30, 2014		November 30, 2013		November 30, 2012
U.S.	$	68,882	$	54,495	$	49,818
Foreign	8,922		8,288		18,167
Total	$	77,804	$	62,783	$	67,985

The provision for income taxes from continuing operations is comprised of the following (in thousands):



	Fiscal Year Ended
	November 30, 2014			November 30, 2013		November 30, 2012
Current:
Federal	$	7,796		$	7,639	$	11,171
State	765			1,583		1,270
Foreign	4,751			2,165		5,970
Total current	13,312			11,387		18,411
Deferred:
Federal	14,783			9,622		5,257
State	730			329		55
Foreign	(479		)	1,668		(692		)
Total deferred	15,034			11,619		4,620
Total	$	28,346		$	23,006	$	23,031

A reconciliation of the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate from continuing operations is as follows:



	Fiscal Year Ended
	November 30, 2014		November 30, 2013		November 30, 2012
Tax at U.S. Federal statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Foreign rate differences	1.7		1.5		(1.0	)
Effects of foreign operations included in U.S. Federal provision	(2.3	)	(0.7	)	—
State income taxes, net	1.6		2.1		0.9
Research credits	(0.1	)	(1.5	)	—
Domestic production activities deduction	(1.4	)	(2.1	)	(2.2	)
Tax-exempt interest	(0.1	)	(0.2	)	(0.3	)
Nondeductible stock-based compensation	2.8		2.3		3.0
Other	(0.8	)	0.2		(1.5	)
Total	36.4	%	36.6	%	33.9	%

The components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):



	November 30, 2014			November 30, 2013
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable	$	632		$	739
Other assets	762			779
Accrued compensation	2,666			3,901
Accrued liabilities and other	7,096			7,302
Stock-based compensation	4,558			4,222
Depreciation and amortization	—			6,724
Tax credit and loss carryforwards	30,769			34,460
Gross deferred tax assets	46,483			58,127
Valuation allowance	(9,687		)	(12,949		)
Total deferred tax assets	36,796			45,178
Deferred tax liabilities:
Goodwill	(19,777		)	(14,860		)
Deferred revenue	(672		)	(1,585		)
Depreciation and amortization	(4,327		)	—
Total deferred tax liabilities	(24,776		)	(16,445		)
Total	$	12,020		$	28,733

The valuation allowance primarily applies to net operating loss carryforwards and unutilized tax credits in jurisdictions or under conditions where realization is not assured. The $3.3 million decrease in the valuation allowance during fiscal year 2014 relates to foreign net operating loss carryforwards expiring unutilized. The short-term portion of deferred tax liabilities of $0.2 million is included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at November 30, 2013.

At November 30, 2014, we have net operating loss carryforwards of $59.1 million expiring on various dates through 2030 and $2.3 million that may be carried forward indefinitely. At November 30, 2014, we have tax credit carryforwards of approximately $8.6 million expiring on various dates through 2029 and $1.9 million that may be carried forward indefinitely.

It is our policy to indefinitely reinvest the earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries unless the earnings can be repatriated in a manner that is substantially tax free or a manner that generates a tax benefit. We have not provided for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, which totaled $18.6 million as of November 30, 2014, as these earnings have been indefinitely reinvested. Any additional taxes that might be payable upon repatriation of our foreign earnings would not be significant.

The calculation of our tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions across our global operations. We recognize and record potential tax liabilities for anticipated tax audit issues in various tax jurisdictions based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances; however, due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. If our estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, an additional charge to expense would result. If payment of these amounts ultimately proves to be less than the recorded amounts, the reversal of the liabilities would result in income tax benefits being recognized in the period when we determine the liabilities are no longer necessary.

A reconciliation of the balance of our unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):



	Fiscal Year Ended
	November 30, 2014			November 30, 2013			November 30, 2012
Balance, beginning of year	$	1,022		$	2,192		$	2,631
Tax positions related to current year	849			189			79
Settlements with tax authorities	—			(1,176		)	—
Lapses due to expiration of the statute of limitations	(160		)	(183		)	(518		)
Balance, end of year	$	1,711		$	1,022		$	2,192

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of our provision for income taxes. In fiscal years 2014, 2013, and 2012 there was a minimal amount of estimated interest and penalties recorded in the provision for income taxes. We have accrued $0.2 million and $0.2 million of estimated interest and penalties at November 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We do not expect any significant changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months.

Our Federal income tax returns have been examined or are closed by statute for all years prior to fiscal year 2011, and we are no longer subject to audit for those periods. State taxing authorities are currently examining our income tax returns for fiscal year 2011 through fiscal year 2013. Our state income tax returns have been examined or are closed by statute for all years prior to fiscal year 2010, and we are no longer subject to audit for those periods.

Tax authorities for certain non-U.S. jurisdictions are also examining returns affecting unrecognized tax benefits, none of which are material to our consolidated balance sheets, cash flows or statements of income. With some exceptions, we are generally no longer subject to tax examinations in non-U.S. jurisdictions for years prior to fiscal year 2009.