INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

Moody’s effective tax rate was 23.9% and 23.6% for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively and 19.0% for both six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 periods. The Company’s year to date tax expense differs from the tax computed by applying its estimated annual effective tax rate to the year-to-date pre-tax earnings primarily due to Excess Tax Benefits from stock compensation of $26 million and net reductions in UTPs of $61 million related to a settlement and a lapse of a statute of limitations.

The Company classifies interest related to UTPs in interest expense, net in its consolidated statements of operations. Penalties, if incurred, would be recognized in other non-operating (expense) income, net. The Company had an increase in its UTPs of $4 million ($4 million net of federal tax) during the second quarter of 2021 and a decrease in its UTPs of $76 million ($67 million, net of federal tax) during the first six months of 2021, which primarily related to the aforementioned resolution of uncertain tax positions. The Company also reversed $40 million in accrued interest in connection with these matters in the first quarter of 2021.

Moody’s Corporation and subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s U.S. federal income tax return for 2019 remains open to examination and 2017 and 2018 are currently under examination. The Company’s New York City tax return for 2014 through 2017 are currently under examination. The Company’s U.K. tax return for 2012 is currently under examination and its returns for 2013 through 2019 remain open to examination.

For ongoing audits, it is possible the balance of UTPs could decrease in the next twelve months as a result of the settlement of these audits, which might involve the payment of additional taxes, the adjustment of certain deferred taxes and/or the recognition of tax benefits. It is also possible that new issues might be raised by tax authorities which could necessitate increases to the balance of UTPs. As the Company is unable to predict the timing or outcome of these audits, it is therefore unable to estimate the amount of changes to the balance of UTPs at this time. However, the Company believes that it has adequately provided for its financial exposure relating to all open tax years by tax jurisdiction in accordance with the applicable provisions of Topic 740 of the ASC regarding UTPs.

The following table shows the amount the Company paid for income taxes:

	Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021		2020
Income taxes paid	$	327	$	111