INCOME TAXES

Income (loss) before income taxes consisted of the following:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2014		2013			2012
			(As adjusted)*
	(In thousands)
United States operations	$	16,766	$	(33,162	)	$	25,293
Foreign operations	26,213		1,860			26,736
Total	$	42,979	$	(31,302	)	$	52,029

*See Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements for discussion of the impact of the change in accounting for the medical device excise tax.

A reconciliation of the U.S. Federal statutory rate to the Company’s effective tax rate is as follows:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
			(As adjusted)*
Federal statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit	5.6	%	0.3	%	2.6	%
Foreign operations	(16.0	)%	(17.2	)%	(14.7	)%
Goodwill impairment	—	%	34.1	%	—	%
Changes in valuation allowances	3.0	%	(1.1	)%	(0.4	)%
Uncertain tax positions	(3.8	)%	(8.5	)%	(2.5	)%
Research and development credit	(2.2	)%	(1.8	)%	—	%
Return to provision	1.5	%	(6.6	)%	(0.5	)%
Other	(2.2	)%	(1.5	)%	1.3	%
Effective tax rate	20.9	%	32.7	%	20.8	%

*See Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements for discussion of the impact of the change in accounting for the medical device excise tax.

The effective tax rate decreased by 11.8% in 2014 compared with 2013 primarily due to the impairment of goodwill in 2013 as well as a change in the mix of earnings between the U.S. and overseas. The goodwill impairment primarily created a non-deductible tax event in the prior year. The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $2.2 million in the current year for the release of tax contingency reserves as compared to $2.7 million in the prior year. This current year benefit was offset by the establishment of $0.5 million of new tax contingency positions during the year. The Company also recorded a $1.1 million tax expense for the settlement of various state tax audits that were not previously reserved.

During 2014, the Company's foreign operations generated a $0.25 million decrease in income tax expense as a result of, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of taxable earnings and losses and the re-establishment of an income tax benefit in France for half of the year related to intercompany interest. The 2014 foreign effective tax rate is 6.9%, an increase of approximately 66% over the rate in 2013. The Company's foreign tax rate is primarily based upon statutory tax rates and is not related to a tax holiday or negotiated tax rate.

During 2013, the Company's foreign operations generated a $2.7 million increase in income tax expense as a result of, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of taxable earnings and losses and the change of an income tax benefit in France as a result of a French tax law change that occurred on December 30, 2013. The 2013 foreign effective tax rate is (60.6)%, a decrease of approximately 83% over the rate in 2012. The Company's foreign tax rate is primarily based upon statutory tax rates and is not related to a tax holiday or negotiated tax rate.

During 2012, the Company's foreign operations generated a $1.3 million income tax expense as a result of, among other factors, the geographic and business mix of taxable earnings and losses. The Company's operations in Ireland contributed to the majority of this income tax benefit, as income earned in Ireland is taxed at a corporate income tax rate that is significantly lower than the U.S. corporate rate. The 2012 foreign effective tax rate is 7.8% and the Company's foreign tax rate is primarily based upon statutory tax rates and is not related to a tax holiday or negotiated tax rate.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company has not provided deferred U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes on temporary differences of approximately $223.5 million resulting from earnings for certain non-U.S. subsidiaries which are permanently reinvested outside the U.S. The unrecognized deferred tax liability associated with these temporary differences was estimated to be $36.4 million at December 31, 2014. Events that could trigger a need to repatriate foreign cash to the U.S. and generate a tax might include U.S. acquisitions, loans from a foreign subsidiary, or anticipated tax law changes that are considered unfavorable and would result in higher taxes on repatriations that occur after the change in tax law goes into effect.

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
				(As adjusted)*
	(In thousands)
Current:
Federal	$	4,224		$	3,160		$	3,614
State	1,683			(1,374		)	1,373
Foreign	4,032			1,124			4,301
Total current	$	9,939		$	2,910		$	9,288
Deferred:
Federal	(200		)	(13,817		)	4,053
State	953			(757		)	497
Foreign	(1,717		)	1,429			(3,013		)
Total deferred	$	(964	)	$	(13,145	)	$	1,537
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	8,975		$	(10,235	)	$	10,825

*See Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements for discussion of the impact of the change in accounting for the medical device excise tax.

The income tax effects of significant temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities, shown before jurisdictional netting, are presented below:



	December 31,
	2014			2013
				(As adjusted)*
	(In thousands)
Current assets:
Doubtful accounts	$	1,632		$	1,791
Inventory related items	35,660			34,968
Tax credits	3,052			3,883
Accrued vacation	2,667			2,492
Accrued bonus	5,085			1,266
Net operating loss carryforwards	2,454			4,550
Other	1,302			1,960
Total current deferred tax assets	51,852			50,910
Less valuation allowance	(681		)	(2,232		)
Current deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	$	51,171		$	48,678
Current liabilities:
Other	(597		)	(646		)
Total current deferred tax liabilities	$	(597	)	$	(646	)
Net current deferred tax assets	$	50,574		$	48,032

*See Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements for discussion of the impact of the change in accounting for the medical device excise tax.



	December 31,
	2014			2013
				(As adjusted)*
	(In thousands)
Non-current assets:
Stock compensation	15,349			14,879
Deferred revenue	3			186
Net operating loss carryforwards	21,368			26,613
Federal & state tax credits	14,531			19,045
Other	581			897
Total non-current deferred tax assets	51,832			61,620
Less valuation allowance	(6,579		)	(6,828		)
Non-current deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	$	45,253		$	54,792
Non-current liabilities:
Intangible & fixed assets	(123,257		)	(41,563		)
Other	(52		)	105
Total non-current deferred tax liabilities	$	(123,309	)	$	(41,458	)
Net non-current deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(78,056	)	$	13,334
Total net deferred tax assets (liabilities)	$	(27,482	)	$	61,366

*See Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements for discussion of the impact of the change in accounting for the medical device excise tax.

At December 31, 2014, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards of $42.3 million for federal income tax purposes, $33.2 million for foreign income tax purposes and $23.2 million for state income tax purposes to offset future taxable income. The federal net operating loss carryforwards expire through 2032, $10.0 million of the foreign net operating loss carryforwards expire through 2021 with the remaining $23.2 million having an indefinite carry forward period. The state net operating loss carryforwards expire through 2032.

Deferred tax assets relating to tax benefits of employee stock option grants have been reduced to reflect exercises in 2012. Some exercises have resulted in tax deductions in excess of previously recorded benefits based on the option value at the time of grant (“windfalls”). Although these additional tax benefits are reflected in net operating tax loss carryforwards the additional tax benefit associated with the windfall is not recognized until the deduction reduces taxes payable. Accordingly, since the tax benefit does not reduce our current taxes payable in 2012 due to net operating loss carryforwards, these “windfall” tax benefits are not reflected in our net operating losses in deferred tax assets for 2012. Windfalls included in net operating loss carryforwards but not reflected in deferred tax assets for 2012 are $0.1 million.

A valuation allowance of $7.3 million, $9.0 million and $14.2 million is recorded against the Company’s gross deferred tax assets of $103.7 million, $110.2 million, and $110.5 million recorded at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The valuation allowance relates to deferred tax assets for certain items that will be deductible for income tax purposes under very limited circumstances and for which the Company believes it is not more likely than not that it will realize the associated tax benefit. The Company does not anticipate additional income tax benefits through future reductions in the valuation allowance. However, in the event that the Company determines that it would be able to realize more or less than the recorded amount of net deferred tax assets, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance would be recorded in the period such a determination is made.

The Company’s valuation allowance decreased by $1.8 million, and $5.2 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. The 2014 overall decrease in the valuation allowance was primarily due to expiring net operating losses in the Netherlands which is offset by a reduction in the related deferred tax asset.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of uncertain tax benefits is as follows:



	Years Ended December 31,
	2014			2013			2012
				(As adjusted)*
	(In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year	$	3,396		$	6,136		$	3,927
Gross increases:
Current year tax positions	—			346			—
Prior years' tax positions	543			729			7,796
Gross decreases:
Prior years' tax positions	(286		)	(477		)	—
Settlements	(828		)	—			(3,523		)
Statute of limitations lapses	(1,580		)	(3,338		)	(2,064		)
Balance, end of year	$	1,245		$	3,396		$	6,136

*See Note 2 of these consolidated financial statements for discussion of the impact of the change in accounting for the medical device excise tax.

Approximately $1.2 million of the balance at December 31, 2014 relates to uncertain tax positions that, if recognized, would affect the annual effective tax rate. Included in the balance of uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2014 is $0.5 million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts could be reduced during the twelve months following December 31, 2014, as a result of expiring statutes of limitations.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties relating to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The Company recognized a $0.2 million benefit, a $0.8 million benefit, and a $0.1 million expense for interest and penalties in the income statement during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company had approximately $0.1 million, $0.4 million, and $1.4 million of interest and penalties accrued at December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

At December 31, 2012 the Company had a deferred tax asset and reserve for uncertain tax positions for $0.5 million related to research and development credit from a prior business acquisition. It was determined in 2013 that this credit would not be realizable; therefore, the deferred tax asset was removed and the corresponding reserve for uncertain tax positions was released thus impairing this acquired benefit.

During 2012, the Company settled the review of years 2008 through 2010 with the IRS, which resulted in $2.1 million being recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as an income tax benefit, partially offset by an additional Federal income tax expense of $0.2 million in 2012, as a result of receiving the agreed upon settlement. In addition, the Company reclassified $4.2 million from deferred taxes to long-term liabilities, which had no effect on the current year tax provision. These amounts include interest and penalties related to the settlement.

The Company files Federal income tax returns, as well as multiple state, local and foreign jurisdiction tax returns. The Company is no longer subject to examinations of its Federal income tax returns by the IRS through fiscal year 2010. All significant state and local matters have been concluded through fiscal 2005. All significant foreign matters have been settled through fiscal 2007.