Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our interim effective tax rates reflect the estimated annual effective tax rates for 2020 and 2019, adjusted for tax expense associated with certain discrete items. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 were (24.5)% and 21.2%, respectively. These effective tax rates differ from the federal statutory tax rate of 21% primarily due to increased amortization of excess deferred federal income tax liabilities, as specified in the TCJA, tax credits, state income taxes and other permanent book-to-tax differences.

The decrease in the three month effective tax rate of 45.7% in 2020 compared to 2019 is primarily attributable to increased amortization of excess deferred federal income tax liabilities, as specified in the TCJA, and a discrete item related to the pre–tax book loss recorded for the classification as held for sale of the Massachusetts Business tax effected at statutory tax rates.

There were no material changes recorded in 2020 to our uncertain tax positions recorded as of December 31, 2019.

The CARES Act was enacted on March 27, 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act contains numerous income tax provisions, such as relaxing limitations on the deductibility of interest and the use of net operating losses arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. Future guidance to clarify provisions in the CARES Act (as well as under the TCJA) remains forthcoming, and such guidance could ultimately increase or lessen their impact on our business and financial condition. It is also possible that Congress and other agencies will enact additional legislation or policies in connection with COVID-19, and we will continue to assess the potential impacts of these developments on our financial position and results of operations. There are no material income tax impacts on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2020.