INCOME TAXES

The following table summarizes the provision for income taxes for continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, and the applicable effective tax rates (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2016			2015
Provision for income taxes	$	3,618		$	3,292
Effective tax rate	35.8		%	37.3		%

The Company’s provision for income taxes in interim periods is computed by applying forecasted annual effective tax rates to income or loss before income taxes for the interim period. In addition, non-recurring or discrete items, including interest on prior year tax liabilities, are recorded during the period in which they occur. To the extent that actual income or loss before taxes for the full year differs from the forecast estimates applied at the end of the most recent interim period, the actual tax rate recognized for the year ending December 31, 2016 could be materially different from the forecasted rate used for the three months ended March 31, 2016.

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 exceeded the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state taxes partially offset by deductible permanent differences and favorable discrete items. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2015 exceeded the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to state taxes partially offset by deductible permanent differences.