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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

In calculating the provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances at each interim period. On a quarterly basis, the estimated annual effective tax rate is adjusted, as appropriate, based upon changes in facts and circumstances, if any, as compared to those forecasted at the beginning of the fiscal year and at each interim period thereafter.

The provision for income taxes reflected U.S. federal, state and local taxes at an estimated effective tax rate of 21.5% and 24.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The decrease in the estimated effective tax rate was primarily due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 which included a reduction of the statutory federal corporate income tax rate to 21% from 35%. This decrease in tax rates was partially offset by a decrease in the tax benefit associated with valuation allowance changes related to the Company's investments.