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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Note 9 - Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes under the liability method in accordance with the FASB's guidance on accounting for income taxes.  Under this guidance, we only recognize a deferred tax asset for the future benefit of our tax losses, temporary differences and tax credit carry forwards to the extent that it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized. We consider available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance.

For the six months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, our effective tax rate was 2.5% and 1.7%, respectively.  In 2012, the company is generating taxable profits before the excess tax benefit of stock option deductions and our rate consists primarily of federal tax and minimum state taxes.  In 2011, our effective tax rate consisted primarily of minimum state income taxes as the company generated operating losses during the period ending June 30, 2011.

In 2012 and 2011, we have maintained a valuation allowance against our U.S. and foreign deferred tax assets. In evaluating the ability to recover these deferred tax assets, we considered all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.  We do not believe it is more likely than not that the net deferred tax assets will be realized.
 
We establish reserves for uncertain tax positions based on our assessment of exposures associated with tax deductions, permanent tax differences and tax credits. The tax reserves are analyzed periodically and adjustments are made as events occur to warrant adjustment to the reserves.  At June 30, 2012, we have $3.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits, including related accrued interest.
 
        We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of both June 30, 2002 and June 30, 2011, we had approximately $0.2 million of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.

The tax years 2008 through 2011 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions.