INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
INCOME TAXES	NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, was 18.3% and 22.5%, respectively and 21.1% and 24.8%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017 was attributable to the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) that reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and partially offset by higher state taxes and lower excess tax benefits from stock based compensation. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was also attributable to the impact of the Tax Reform Act and was partially offset by higher state taxes and lower excess tax benefits from stock based compensation. In December 2017, the Tax Reform Act was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes included, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21 % effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017. In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, “Amendments to SEC Paragraph Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118” (“ASU 2018-05”), which clarifies the income tax accounting implications of the Tax Reform Act. Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. As of September 30, 2018, additional work is still necessary for a more detailed analysis of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities, and its historical foreign earnings as well as potential correlative adjustments. The provisional amounts are subject to adjustment during the measurement period of up to one year following the December 2017 enactment of the Tax Reform Act. Given the significant complexity of the Tax Reform Act and additional guidance that may be issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, Balchem will continue to evaluate and analyze the impact of this legislation. Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and would establish a valuation allowance if it believed that such assets may not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, changes in its operations and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences. The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes utilizing ASC 740-10. ASC 740-10 clarifies whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be challenged by a tax authority. It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosures. The application of ASC 740-10 requires judgment related to the uncertainty in income taxes and could impact our effective tax rate. The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states and foreign countries. As of September 30, 2018, in the major jurisdictions where the Company operates, it is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $5,497 and $4,781, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, which are included in other long-term obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company includes interest expense or income as well as potential penalties on unrecognized tax positions as a component of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of earnings. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was approximately $1,885 and $1,882, respectively, and is included in other long-term obligations.

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, was 18.3% and 22.5%, respectively and 21.1% and 24.8%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2017 was attributable to the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Reform Act”) that reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% and partially offset by higher state taxes and lower excess tax benefits from stock based compensation. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was also attributable to the impact of the Tax Reform Act and was partially offset by higher state taxes and lower excess tax benefits from stock based compensation.

In December 2017, the Tax Reform Act was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes included, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21 % effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017.

In March 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-05, “Amendments to SEC Paragraph Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118” (“ASU 2018-05”), which clarifies the income tax accounting implications of the Tax Reform Act. Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Reform Act. As of September 30, 2018, additional work is still necessary for a more detailed analysis of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities, and its historical foreign earnings as well as potential correlative adjustments. The provisional amounts are subject to adjustment during the measurement period of up to one year following the December 2017 enactment of the Tax Reform Act.

Given the significant complexity of the Tax Reform Act and additional guidance that may be issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the Financial Accounting Standards Board, Balchem will continue to evaluate and analyze the impact of this legislation.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and would establish a valuation allowance if it believed that such assets may not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, changes in its operations and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes utilizing ASC 740-10. ASC 740-10 clarifies whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be challenged by a tax authority. It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosures. The application of ASC 740-10 requires judgment related to the uncertainty in income taxes and could impact our effective tax rate.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states and foreign countries. As of September 30, 2018, in the major jurisdictions where the Company operates, it is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2013. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had approximately $5,497 and $4,781, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, which are included in other long-term obligations on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The Company includes interest expense or income as well as potential penalties on unrecognized tax positions as a component of income tax expense in the consolidated statements of earnings. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 was approximately $1,885 and $1,882, respectively, and is included in other long-term obligations.