17.	Income Taxes

The following table presents the provision for income taxes and the effective tax rates:

	Three months ended March 31,
($ in thousands)	2018		2017

Provision for income taxes	$	259	$	73
Effective tax rate		(20.9%)		(37.8%)

The Company's income tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items arising in that quarter. Tax expense in 2018 is comprised mainly of federal income tax expense, foreign income tax expense, and state taxes. Tax expense in 2017 is comprised mainly of foreign income tax expense, Alternative Minimum Tax, state taxes, and deferred tax expense relating to the tax amortization of goodwill.

Our effective tax rate was (20.9%) for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The difference in our effective tax rate and the U.S. statutory federal income tax rate of 21% was primarily due to our China subsidiary which had a taxable income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and the accruals related to uncertain tax positions for certain foreign tax contingencies.

Because of its net operating loss carryforwards, the Company is subject to U.S. federal and state income tax examinations from the year 1997 and forward. The Company is subject to foreign tax examinations by tax authorities for years 2011 forward for Sweden, 2014 forward for China, and 2015 forward for both India and the UK.

An uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return is recognized in the consolidated financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than 50%) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities that have full knowledge of all relevant information. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Interest and penalties related to income taxes are accounted for as income tax expense.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it is believed that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. The Company has evaluated all positive and negative evidence and determined that it will continue to assess a full valuation allowance on its Swedish and U.K. net deferred assets as of March 31, 2018. The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that it will realize the benefits of its deferred taxes in the U.S, China, and India.

The Company recognizes the tax on GILTI as a period cost in the period the tax is incurred. Under this policy, we have not provided deferred taxes related to temporary differences that upon their reversal will affect the amount of income subject to GILTI in the period.

The Company has made an entity classification (CTB) election to treat GSE UK as a disregarded entity effective January 1, 2018. Therefore, as of January 1, 2018, GSE UK is treated as a branch of the US for tax purposes. Accordingly, GSE UK's 2018 first quarter activity has been included in the US Company's income tax provision.