Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2023

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

U.S. Legislation

The Inflation Reduction Act ("IRA") was signed into law on August 16, 2022. The IRA includes climate and energy provisions and introduces a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax, among other items. The enactment of the IRA did not result in any adjustments to our income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023.

Effective Income Tax Rate and Income Tax Provision

For interim tax reporting, we estimate one annual effective tax rate for tax jurisdictions not subject to a valuation allowance and apply that rate to the year-to-date ordinary income/(loss). Tax effects of significant unusual or infrequently occurring items are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate calculation and recognized in the interim period in which they occur.

Compared to the U.S. statutory rate of 21.0%, state income taxes, foreign earnings subject to higher tax rates and non-deductible expenses increase the Company's effective income tax rate, whereas research and development credits decrease the Company's effective tax rate.

Our effective income tax rate was 26.1% and 31.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. In addition to the above referenced items, the three and nine-month periods were unfavorably impacted by accruals for uncertain tax positions and favorably impacted by the benefit associated with excess foreign tax credits.

Our effective income tax rate was 27.9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022. In addition to the above referenced items, the three-month period was unfavorably impacted by accruals for uncertain tax positions and enacted state law changes. The nine-month period was favorably impacted by share price accretion in equity compensation, and unfavorably impacted by accruals for uncertain tax positions, nonrecurring intercompany dividend distributions and enacted state law changes.

There was no significant change in our valuation allowance for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.

Net increases in unrecognized tax positions of $3.7 million and $15.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, and $3.8 million and $12.7 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively, were primarily related to interest accruals on existing uncertain tax positions. We are not currently able to reasonably estimate the amount by which the liability for unrecognized tax positions may increase or decrease as a result of future tax controversy developments or resolution. Interest and penalties on tax assessments are included in Income tax provision on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The IRS completed its field examination of the U.S. federal income tax returns for the 2011-2014 tax years in the third quarter of 2020. As previously disclosed, the IRS has proposed to disallow, for the 2014 taxable year, the entirety of the deduction of the approximately $1.49 billion settlement payment made pursuant to the Settlement agreement (as defined in Note 18, “Commitments and Contingencies”) and the resulting reduction of our U.S. federal tax liability by approximately $525 million. The proposed disallowance is being reviewed by the IRS Independent Office of Appeals (“Appeals”). Although we believe we have meritorious defenses to the proposed disallowance, we have reached a tentative agreement to settle this matter with the IRS, which is subject to further review, approval and execution of a definitive agreement by both parties. There can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be executed and we cannot predict the outcome of this matter or when it will be concluded. We have revised our uncertain tax position to reflect the tentative agreement. On April 20, 2023, we deposited $175 million with the IRS based on an estimate of the federal tax and interest anticipated to be due associated with the tentative agreement and during the second quarter of 2023, the Company recorded an asset of $175 million in Advances and deposits on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our final settlement amount could differ from the $175 million deposited. Future developments in this matter could have a material impact on the Company's uncertain tax position balances and results of operations, including cash flows, within the next twelve months.

There is no outstanding liability with respect to the one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred foreign earnings of foreign subsidiaries provision associated with the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.