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INCOME TAXES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate for continuing operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was a tax provision of 29.6%, or $23.6, and 28.0%, or $38.4, respectively, compared to a tax provision of 30.9%, or $28.0, and 27.9%, or $45.8, respectively for the three and six months ended June 30, 2014. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2015 was favorably impacted primarily by earnings in lower tax jurisdictions. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was also favorably impacted by a net tax benefit of $1.7 attributable to $2.4 of tax reserve adjustments and changes in tax rates for U.S. and certain international operations, both of which were partially offset by $0.7 of valuation allowance changes.
As of June 30, 2015, the amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits for continuing operations is $9.1 (excluding interest) of which $8.7 would impact our effective tax rate, if recognized. The amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2014 for continuing operations was $10.0, excluding interest, of which $9.6 would impact our effective tax rate, if recognized.
We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income. We had recorded a liability for the payment of interest and penalties (gross) for continuing operations, of approximately $1.2 as of December 31, 2014. Activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 included a $0.1 increase for additional accruals which were offset by a $0.1 decrease due to settlements and foreign exchange, thus resulting in a liability for the payment of interest of $1.2 as of June 30, 2015.