Note 12.             Income Taxes

 

The consolidated effective tax rate was 36.3% and 38.3% for the six months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Almost all of our income before income taxes for both periods was generated from our United States operations, which had an overall effective tax rate of 36.3% and 36.4%, respectively. The decrease in the consolidated effective tax rate for the six months ended January 31, 2016, compared with the six months ended January 31, 2015, was principally due to less non-deductible acquisition related charges in the current year, the enactment of favorable tax legislation in the United States and internationally and improved operating results of our international operations, which are located in lower tax rate jurisdictions.

 

A reconciliation of the consolidated effective income tax rate for the six months ended January 31, 2016 to the six months ended January 31, 2015 is as follows:

 

 

We record liabilities for an unrecognized tax benefit when a tax benefit for an uncertain tax position is taken or expected to be taken on a tax return, but is not recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements because it does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold that the uncertain tax position would be sustained upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon settlement with the tax authorities. Any adjustments upon resolution of income tax uncertainties are recognized in our results of operations. At January 31, 2016 and July 31, 2015, we do not have any uncertain tax positions in which a liability would be recorded.

 

We concluded an audit by the Internal Revenue Service for fiscal years 2013 and 2012. With respect to state or foreign income tax examinations, we are generally no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years ended prior to July 31, 2007.

 

Upon recording a liability relating to uncertain tax positions, our policy is to record potential interest and penalties related to income tax positions in interest expense and general and administrative expense, respectively, in our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. However, such amounts have historically been insignificant due to the minimal amount of our unrecognized tax benefits relating to uncertain tax positions.