Income Taxes | Income Taxes The components of our income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) United States $ (27,779 ) $ 6,217 $ 2,182 International (23,028 ) 965 683 Total $ (50,807 ) $ 7,182 $ 2,865 Income tax expense (benefit) consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) United States $ 28,630 $ (937 ) $ (4,704 ) International 4,263 2,246 493 Total $ 32,893 $ 1,309 $ (4,211 ) The provision (benefit) for income taxes consisted of the following: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Current Federal $ 4,009 $ 11,057 $ 3,732 State 771 2,359 741 Foreign 5,240 2,802 531 Total current income tax expense 10,020 16,218 5,004 Deferred Federal 22,011 (12,970 ) (8,772 ) State 1,839 (1,383 ) (404 ) Foreign (977 ) (556 ) (39 ) Total deferred income tax expense (benefit) 22,873 (14,909 ) (9,215 ) Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 32,893 $ 1,309 $ (4,211 ) Our effective tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the provision of a valuation allowance on our U.S. federal and state deferred income tax assets in 2015. Our effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was (64.7)% and 18.2% , respectively. The year-over-year change in the effective tax rate is primarily due to the $46.7 million deferred income tax asset valuation allowance recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 which reduced our U.S. federal and state deferred income tax assets to the net amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax provision (benefit) to the effective income tax provision (benefit) for each year is as follows: Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate $ (17,783 ) $ 2,514 $ 1,003 State taxes, net of federal tax benefit (896 ) 207 67 Impact of foreign income taxes 10,582 1,340 235 Research and development and other tax credits (10,187 ) (6,499 ) (7,840 ) Non-deductible stock-based compensation 3,174 2,929 1,845 Non-deductible meals and entertainment 1,395 832 582 Change in valuation allowance 46,737 — — Other, net (129 ) (14 ) (103 ) Total income tax expense (benefit) $ 32,893 $ 1,309 $ (4,211 ) The tax effects of temporary differences and carryforwards that gave rise to deferred income tax assets and liabilities consisted of the following: December 31, 2015 2014 (in thousands) Deferred income tax assets Tax credit carryforwards $ 9,704 $ 2,082 Stock-based compensation 21,924 10,499 Accrued compensation 11,819 10,529 Deferred revenue 2,425 1,015 Deferred rent 3,589 1,717 Depreciation and amortization 2,018 334 Other 553 569 Total deferred income tax assets 52,032 26,745 Deferred income tax liabilities Prepaid assets 3,757 2,142 Total deferred income tax liabilities 3,757 2,142 Net deferred income tax assets before valuation allowance 48,275 24,603 Less: Valuation allowance (46,737 ) — Net deferred income tax assets $ 1,538 $ 24,603 Reported As: Deferred income taxes - current — 18,732 Deferred income taxes - long-term 1,544 5,879 Other accrued liabilities — (7 ) Other long-term liabilities (6 ) (1 ) Net deferred income tax assets $ 1,538 $ 24,603 As of December 31, 2014, we presented all current deferred income tax assets and liabilities within the same tax jurisdiction as a single amount. Long-term deferred income tax assets and liabilities are presented using the same methodology. However, as a result of the FASB issuing ASU 2015-17, as of December 31, 2015, all deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and any related valuation allowances, are classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. We did not retrospectively adjust prior periods. We determine our deferred income tax assets and liabilities based on differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when we expect the differences to reverse . A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. We regularly assess the need for a valuation allowance against our deferred income tax assets by considering both positive and negative evidence related to whether it is more likely than not that our deferred income tax assets will be realized. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred income tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. In the fourth quarter of 2015 , a valuation allowance of $46.7 million was established for our U.S. federal and state deferred income tax assets, in part due to our current three-year cumulative GAAP net loss adjusted for permanent tax differences, which is a significant piece of negative evidence for recording the valuation allowance in the current period. We will continue to reassess the future realizability of our U.S. deferred income tax assets and adjust the valuation allowance accordingly. Our assumptions, judgments and estimates relative to the value of net deferred income taxes take into account predictions of the amount and category of future taxable income, such as income from operations or capital gains income. Actual operating results and the underlying amount and category of income in future years could render our current assumptions, judgments and estimates of recoverable net deferred income taxes inaccurate. Any of the assumptions, judgments and estimates mentioned above could cause our actual income tax obligations to differ from our estimates, thus materially impacting our financial position and results of operations. Net operating loss ("NOL") carryforwards created by excess tax benefits from the exercise of stock options or the vesting of RSUs are not recorded as deferred income tax assets. To the extent such NOL carryforwards are utilized, the benefit realized will increase stockholders' equity. At December 31, 2015 , for income tax return purposes we have gross NOL carryforwards totaling $679.2 million and tax credit carryforwards of $37.0 million , the majority of which relates to the U.S. These carryforwards may be subject to limitations under the Internal Revenue Code and other applicable tax laws. If not utilized, a portion of the carryforwards will begin to expire in 2022. We are subject to income taxes in the United States and in numerous foreign jurisdictions. The statute of limitations for adjustments to our historic tax obligations will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Furthermore, net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards may be subject to adjustment after the expiration of the statute of limitations of the year such net operating losses and tax credits originated. In general, the tax years for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes that remain open for examination are for 2005 and forward due to our net operating loss carryforwards. Income tax expense includes both U.S. and international income taxes. Except as required under U.S. tax law, we do not provide for U.S. income taxes on our undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries that have not been previously taxed, because we intend to invest such undistributed earnings indefinitely outside of the U.S. If our intent changes or if these funds are needed for our U.S. operations, we would be required to accrue or pay U.S. taxes on some or all of these undistributed earnings. As of December 31, 2015 , cash held by foreign subsidiaries was $24.5 million . Currently, we have no undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries indefinitely invested outside of the U.S. We have reserves for taxes to address potential exposures involving tax positions that we believe could be challenged by taxing authorities even though we believe the positions we have taken are appropriate. We believe our tax reserves are adequate to cover potential liabilities. We review the tax reserves as circumstances warrant and adjust the reserves as events occur that affect our potential liability for additional taxes. It is often difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular tax matter. Various events, some of which cannot be predicted, such as clarification of tax law by administrative or judicial means, may occur and would require us to increase or decrease our reserves and effective income tax rate. The total gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $10.8 million , $7.1 million and $3.4 million as of December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 , respectively. This increase relates primarily to the R&D tax credits generated in the current year. These amounts represent the gross amount of exposure in individual jurisdictions and do not reflect any additional benefits expected to be realized if such positions were not sustained. To the extent that any uncertain tax positions are resolved in our favor, it may have a positive impact on our effective income tax rate. We do not expect any material decrease on our unrecognized tax position within the next twelve months. The following table shows the gross changes in our unrecognized tax position. Year Ended December 31, 2015 2014 2013 (in thousands) Balance, beginning of period $ 7,116 $ 3,441 $ 448 Gross increases to tax positions related to prior periods 545 — 5 Gross decreases to tax positions related to prior periods — — (153 ) Gross increases related to current tax positions 3,120 3,675 3,141 Balance, end of period $ 10,781 $ 7,116 $ 3,441 We recognize interest and, if applicable, penalties for any uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. No penalties or interest were recognized or accrued for at December 31, 2015 , 2014 and 2013 . On July 27, 2015, the U.S. Tax Court issued an opinion related to litigation in Altera Corp v. Commissioner. This litigation relates to the treatment of stock-based compensation expense in an inter-company cost-sharing arrangement with one of Altera's foreign subsidiaries. In its opinion, the U.S. Tax Court invalidated the portion of the Treasury regulations requiring the inclusion of stock-based compensation expense in such inter-company cost-sharing arrangements. The final resolution of this litigation remains uncertain as the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") could appeal the U.S. Tax Court's decision. Therefore, for the year ended December 31, 2015 , we have not recorded any potentially favorable benefit related to the current or prior periods. We will continue to monitor developments related to this case and the potential impact of those developments on our current and future financial statements. |