NOTE 8 – INCOME TAXES

In the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management calculates income taxes based upon the estimated effective rate applicable to operating results for the full fiscal year. This includes estimating the current tax liability as well as assessing differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and book accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on the balance sheet. These assets and liabilities are analyzed regularly and management assesses the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income.

At June 30, 2014 there was $243,000 of net uncertain tax benefit positions that would reduce the effective income tax rate if recognized.  The Company records interest and penalties related to income taxes as income tax expense in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The tax years 2010-2012 remain open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and the years 2009-2012 remain open to examination by various state tax departments. During the second quarter, the IRS completed an examination of our 2011 federal income tax return.  There were no material changes to the return as filed. The tax years from 2010-2012 remain open in Costa Rica.

The Company’s effective income tax rate was 35.5% for the first six months of 2014. The effective tax rate differs from the federal tax rate of 35% due to state income taxes, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes, provisions for interest charges for uncertain income tax positions, and settlement of uncertain tax positions. The effect of the foreign operations is an overall rate increase of approximately 3.5% for the six months ended June 30, 2014.  There were no additional uncertain tax positions identified in the first six months of 2014.  The Company's effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30,  2013 was 36.4%, and differed from the federal tax rate due to state income taxes, foreign losses not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes, provisions for interest charges, and the effect of operations conducted in lower foreign tax rate jurisdictions.