pre_text: a valuation allowance is provided against deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized . changes to our valuation allowance during the year ended december 31 , 2017 , the 2016 fiscal transition period and the years ended may 31 , 2016 and 2015 are summarized below ( in thousands ) : .
post_text: the increase in the valuation allowance related to net operating loss carryforwards of $ 10.3 million for the year ended december 31 , 2017 relates primarily to carryforward assets recorded as part of the acquisition of active network . the increase in the valuation allowance related to domestic net operating loss carryforwards of $ 1.5 million and $ 4.5 million for the 2016 fiscal transition period and the year ended may 31 , 2016 , respectively , relates to acquired carryforwards from the merger with heartland . foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $ 43.2 million and domestic net operating loss carryforwards of $ 28.9 million at december 31 , 2017 will expire between december 31 , 2026 and december 31 , 2037 if not utilized . we conduct business globally and file income tax returns in the domestic federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions . in the normal course of business , we are subject to examination by taxing authorities around the world . we are no longer subjected to state income tax examinations for years ended on or before may 31 , 2008 , u.s . federal income tax examinations for years ended on or before december 31 , 2013 and u.k . federal income tax examinations for years ended on or before may 31 , 2014 . 88 2013 global payments inc . | 2017 form 10-k annual report .
table: Balance at May 31, 2014 $(7,199)
table: Utilization of foreign net operating loss carryforwards 3,387
table: Other (11)
table: Balance at May 31, 2015 (3,823)
table: Allowance for foreign income tax credit carryforward (7,140)
table: Allowance for domestic net operating loss carryforwards (4,474)
table: Allowance for domestic net unrealized capital loss (1,526)
table: Release of allowance of domestic capital loss carryforward 1,746
table: Other 98
table: Balance at May 31, 2016 (15,119)
table: Allowance for domestic net operating loss carryforwards (1,504)
table: Release of allowance of domestic net unrealized capital loss 12
table: Balance at December 31, 2016 (16,611)
table: Allowance for foreign net operating loss carryforwards (6,469)
table: Allowance for domestic net operating loss carryforwards (3,793)
table: Allowance for state credit carryforwards (685)
table: Rate change on domestic net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards 3,868
table: Utilization of foreign income tax credit carryforward 7,140
table: Balance at December 31, 2017 $(16,550)
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. what was the net change in the valuation allowance in thousands between 2016 and 2017?