9. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 was 12.3% and 16.3%, respectively, resulting in a $284,000 and $602,000 income tax benefit, respectively. The difference in the effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2018, compared to the three months ended March 31, 2017, is mainly attributable to the change in the valuation allowance and the foreign tax rate differential due to the Company’s China Operations. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred income tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred income tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based on the consideration of these items, management has determined that enough uncertainty exists relative to the realization of the deferred income tax asset balances to warrant the application of a valuation allowance as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

The Company has not provided deferred income taxes on the undistributed earnings of its foreign subsidiaries. These earnings have been permanently reinvested and the Company does not plan to initiate action that would precipitate the payment of income taxes thereon.

Beginning in 2018, the Tax Act includes a new U.S. tax base erosion provision designed to tax the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”). The GILTI provisions require us to include in our U.S. income tax return foreign subsidiary earnings in excess of an allowable return on the foreign subsidiary’s tangible assets. We do not expect GILTI to be material in the future.