Income Taxes (Note) |
9 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Sep. 30, 2017 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Income Taxes |
INCOME TAXES
HSNi calculates its interim income tax provision in accordance with the accounting guidance for income taxes in interim periods. At the end of each interim period, HSNi makes its best estimate of the annual expected effective tax rate and applies that rate to its ordinary year-to-date income or loss. The tax expense or benefit related to significant or unusual items that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effect are individually computed and recognized in the interim period in which those items occur.
In addition, excess tax benefits and deficiencies related to share-based awards and the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates, tax status, or judgment on the realizability of beginning-of-the-year deferred taxes in future years are recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs.
The computation of the annual expected effective tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected operating income for the year and permanent and temporary differences. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained or the tax environment changes. To the extent that the estimated annual effective tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in tax expense for the current quarter.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, HSNi recorded a tax provision of $12.7 million and $45.1 million, respectively, which represents effective tax rates of 43.9% and 39.1%. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, HSNi recorded a tax provision of $12.7 million and $45.7 million, respectively, which represents effective tax rates of 38.7% and 37.8%. The increase in the effective tax rates is primarily due to the write-off of approximately $3.1 million of deferred tax assets associated with equity awards that expired unexercised during the third quarter of 2017, including $2.4 million associated with HSNi's former Chief Executive Officer's equity awards. The increase in the effective tax rate was partially offset by a decrease of $0.9 million related to the release of tax reserves for uncertain tax positions for which the statute of limitations has expired.
The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") has concluded its examination of HSNi's consolidated federal income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2010 and its limited scope examination of HSNi's consolidated federal income tax return for the year ended December 31, 2011. No material adjustments resulted from these IRS examinations. The State of Florida has completed its audit of HSNi’s 2013 through 2015 tax returns. There was no adjustment to our tax liabilities as a result of this examination.
HSNi and several companies previously owned by IAC/InterActiveCorp, or IAC, were spun-off from IAC on August 20, 2008. In connection with the spin-off, HSNi entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement with IAC. Pursuant to this agreement, each of the companies included in the spin-off (the "Spincos") was indemnified by IAC for additional tax liabilities related to consolidated or combined federal and state tax returns prepared and filed by IAC prior to the spin-off. However, each Spinco agreed to, among other things, assume any additional tax liabilities related to their separately filed state income tax returns. All examinations have concluded or statutes of limitations have expired related to IAC's consolidated or combined federal and state tax returns for years including HSNi operations prior to the spin-off.
The Tax Sharing Agreement also provides, among other things, that each Spinco indemnifies IAC and the other Spincos for any taxes resulting from the spin-off of such Spinco (and any related interest, penalties, legal and professional fees, and all costs and damages associated with related shareholder litigation or controversies) to the extent such amounts result from any post spin-off (i) act or failure to act by such Spinco described in the covenants in the Tax Sharing Agreement, (ii) acquisition of equity, securities, or assets of such Spinco or a member of its group, and (iii) breach by such Spinco or any member of its group of any representation or covenant contained in the separation documents or in the documents relating to the IRS private letter ruling and/or tax opinions. This indemnification remains effective until IAC's tax returns for the two year period after the spin-off are no longer subject to examination.
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