13. Income Taxes

For the three and nine months ended October 31, 2013, we recorded an income tax benefit from continuing operations of $0.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. During the third quarter of fiscal 2014 we recognized $0.5 million of tax benefits resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations for uncertain tax positions. The statute of limitations varies by the jurisdictions in which we operate. In any given year, statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions may lapse without examination and any uncertain tax position taken in those years will result in the reduction of the liability for unrealized tax benefits for that year. Our effective tax rate of 15% was based on the full fiscal year estimates and projected profitability in fiscal 2014. In addition, our provision is affected by the geographic jurisdiction in which the worldwide income or losses have been incurred resulting in the difference between the federal statutory rate of 35% and the forecasted effective tax rate.

Our effective tax rate in fiscal 2014 and in future periods may fluctuate on a quarterly basis as a result of changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets, changes in actual results versus our estimates, or changes in tax laws, regulations, accounting principles, or interpretations thereof. We regularly review our tax positions in each significant taxing jurisdiction in the process of evaluating our unrecognized tax benefits. We make adjustments to our unrecognized tax benefits when: i) facts and circumstance regarding a tax position change, causing a change in management’s judgment regarding that tax position; ii) a tax position is effectively settled with a tax authority; and/or iii) the statute of limitations expires regarding a tax position.

We continue to maintain a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets where realization is not certain. We periodically evaluate the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets and reduce the carrying amount of these deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance to the extent we believe a portion will not be realized.