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Income Taxes (Note)
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9 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2014
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| 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 or benefit related to significant, unusual, or extraordinary 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, 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 is 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, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of recovering deferred tax assets generated in the current year. 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, 2014, HSNi recorded a tax provision of $24.6 million and $65.2 million, respectively which represents an effective tax rate of 38.4%. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, HSNi recorded a tax provision of $17.4 million and $63.1 million, respectively, which represents effective tax rates of 29.3% and 35.1%, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate for the current year compared to the prior year periods was primarily due to discrete tax benefits of $3.7 million realized in the third quarter of 2013 and the non-deductibility of the $3.1 million civil penalty accrued for the Consumer Product Safety Commission settlement in the first quarter of 2014. See further discussion of the settlement in Note 12-Commitments and Contingencies.
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. Various state income tax examinations are in process. HSNi does not anticipate any material adjustments to its tax liabilities resulting from any of these examinations.
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 which, among other things, each of the companies included in the spin-off (the "Spincos") has indemnified 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 (i) any act or failure to act by such Spinco described in the covenants in the Tax Sharing Agreement, (ii) any acquisition of equity securities or assets of such Spinco or a member of its group, and (iii) any 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. In the event an adjustment with respect to a pre-spin-off period for which IAC is responsible results in a tax benefit to HSNi in a post-spin-off period, HSNi will be required to pay such tax benefit to IAC. In general, IAC controls all audits and administrative matters and other tax proceedings relating to the consolidated federal income tax return of the IAC group and any other tax returns for which the IAC group is responsible. The provisions set forth in the Tax Sharing Agreement could subject HSNi to future tax contingencies.
The IRS has completed its review of the IAC consolidated tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2001 through 2009, which includes the operations of HSNi. The settlement for these years has been submitted to and approved by the Joint Committee on Taxation. Various IAC consolidated tax returns filed with state, local and foreign jurisdictions are currently under examination, the most significant of which are California, New York and New York City, for various tax years beginning with 2006. By virtue of the Tax Sharing Agreement with IAC, HSNi is indemnified with respect to additional tax liabilities for consolidated or combined federal and state tax returns prepared and filed by IAC prior to the spin-off, but is liable for any additional tax liabilities for HSNi separately filed state income tax returns.
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