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Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

Note 14—Income taxes:

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Pre-tax income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

$

26.7

 

 

$

(22.5

)

 

$

23.5

 

Non-U.S. subsidiaries

 

265.1

 

 

 

258.7

 

 

 

81.2

 

Total

$

291.8

 

 

$

236.2

 

 

$

104.7

 

Expected tax expense at U.S. federal statutory

income tax rate of 35% in 2017 and 21% in 2018 and 2019

$

102.1

 

 

$

49.6

 

 

$

22.0

 

Non-U.S. tax rates

 

(13.1

)

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

5.2

 

Incremental net tax expense (benefit) on earnings and

  losses of U.S. and non-U.S. tax group companies

 

14.8

 

 

 

(167.8

)

 

 

(4.5

)

Valuation allowance

 

(205.4

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.5

 

Transition tax

 

76.2

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

-

 

Global intangible low-tax income, net

 

-

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

1.8

 

Tax rate changes

 

(77.1

)

 

 

58.8

 

 

 

4.7

 

U.S. state income taxes, net

 

3.5

 

 

 

.6

 

 

 

(.3

)

Adjustment to the reserve for uncertain tax positions, net

 

(18.2

)

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

(5.1

)

Nondeductible expenses

 

2.2

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

1.5

 

Canada - Germany APA

 

-

 

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

-

 

Refund of prior tax payments, net

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2.1

)

Domestic production activities deduction

 

(3.8

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Other, net

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(.3

)

 

 

(1.2

)

Income tax expense (benefit)

$

(120.0

)

 

$

(30.7

)

 

$

26.5

 

Components of income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently payable:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. federal and state

$

87.3

 

 

$

34.1

 

 

$

4.3

 

Non-U.S.

 

38.5

 

 

 

51.1

 

 

 

22.0

 

Total

 

125.8

 

 

 

85.2

 

 

 

26.3

 

Deferred income taxes (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. federal and state

 

(96.9

)

 

 

(145.5

)

 

 

(4.1

)

Non-U.S.

 

(148.9

)

 

 

29.6

 

 

 

4.3

 

Total

 

(245.8

)

 

 

(115.9

)

 

 

.2

 

Income tax expense (benefit)

$

(120.0

)

 

$

(30.7

)

 

$

26.5

 

Comprehensive provision for income taxes (benefit)

  allocable to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

$

(120.0

)

 

$

(30.7

)

 

$

26.5

 

Discontinued operations

 

(67.1

)

 

 

23.7

 

 

 

-

 

Retained earnings-change in accounting principle

 

-

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

-

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketable securities

 

2.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Currency translation

 

31.1

 

 

 

(4.2

)

 

 

(.2

)

Pension plans

 

8.6

 

 

 

(4.7

)

 

 

(15.6

)

Other

 

(.6

)

 

 

(.4

)

 

 

(.5

)

Interest rate swap

 

1.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total

$

(143.6

)

 

$

(15.2

)

 

$

10.2

 

 

The amount shown in the above table of our income tax rate reconciliation for non-U.S. tax rates represents the result determined by multiplying the pre-tax earnings or losses of each of our non-U.S. subsidiaries by the difference between the applicable statutory income tax rate for each non-U.S. jurisdiction and the U.S. federal statutory tax rate.  The amount shown on such table for incremental net tax expense (benefit) on earnings and losses on non-U.S. and non-tax group companies includes, as applicable, (i) deferred income taxes (or deferred income tax benefits) associated with the current-year change in the aggregate amount of undistributed earnings of our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian subsidiary and, beginning in 2018, deferred income taxes (or deferred income tax benefits) associated with the current year earnings of all our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries (undistributed earnings of our Chemicals Segment’s European subsidiaries were subject to a permanent reinvestment plan until December 31, 2017), (ii) current U.S. income taxes (or current income tax benefit), including U.S. personal holding company tax, as applicable, attributable to current-year income (losses) of one of Kronos’ non-U.S. subsidiaries, which subsidiary is treated as a dual resident for U.S. income tax purposes, to the extent the current-year income (losses) of such subsidiary is subject to U.S. income tax under the U.S. dual-resident provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, (iii) deferred income taxes associated with our direct investment in Kronos and (iv) current and deferred income taxes associated with distributions and earnings from our investment in LandWell and BMI.

The components of the net deferred tax liability at December 31, 2018 and 2019 are summarized below.  

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

Assets

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

Assets

 

 

Liabilities

 

 

(In millions)

 

Tax effect of temporary differences related to:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inventories

$

4.7

 

 

$

(3.3

)

 

$

6.2

 

 

$

(2.5

)

Marketable securities

 

-

 

 

 

(.2

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(.3

)

Property and equipment

 

-

 

 

 

(69.0

)

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

(67.9

)

Accrued OPEB costs

 

2.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

-

 

Accrued pension costs

 

75.5

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

80.6

 

 

 

-

 

Accrued environmental liabilities

 

35.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

33.8

 

 

 

-

 

Other deductible differences

 

10.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

-

 

Other taxable differences

 

-

 

 

 

(13.2

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(13.4

)

Investments in subsidiaries and affiliates

 

2.6

 

 

 

(58.8

)

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

(54.4

)

Tax on unremitted earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries

 

-

 

 

 

(11.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(10.8

)

Tax loss and tax credit carryforwards

 

93.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

91.2

 

 

 

-

 

Valuation allowance

 

(10.0

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(14.2

)

 

 

-

 

Adjusted gross deferred tax assets (liabilities)

 

215.6

 

 

 

(155.8

)

 

 

217.2

 

 

 

(149.3

)

Netting of items by tax jurisdiction

 

(114.6

)

 

 

(114.6

)

 

 

(111.2

)

 

 

(111.2

)

Net noncurrent deferred tax asset (liability)

$

101.0

 

 

$

(41.2

)

 

$

106.0

 

 

$

(38.1

)

 

Tax authorities may in the future examine certain of our U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns and have or may propose tax deficiencies, including penalties and interest.  Because of the inherent uncertainties involved in settlement initiatives and court and tax proceedings, we cannot guarantee that these tax matters, if any, will be resolved in our favor, and therefore our potential exposure, if any, is also uncertain.  

Our Chemicals Segment has substantial net operating loss (NOL) carryforwards in Germany (the equivalent of $501 million for German corporate purposes at December 31, 2019) and in Belgium (the equivalent of $8 million for Belgian corporate tax purposes at December 31, 2019), all of which have an indefinite carryforward period.  As a result, we have net deferred income tax assets with respect to these two jurisdictions, primarily related to these NOL carryforwards.  The German corporate tax is similar to the U.S. federal income tax, and the German trade tax is similar to the U.S. state income tax (our Chemicals Segment’s German trade tax NOLs were fully utilized as of December 31, 2018).  Prior to 2017, we concluded that we were required to recognize a non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria with respect to our Chemicals Segment’s German and Belgian net deferred income tax assets.  At December 31, 2016 such valuation allowance aggregated $173 million ($153 million with respect to Germany and $20 million with respect to Belgium).  During the first six months of 2017, we recognized an aggregate non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $12.7 million as a result of a net decrease in such deferred income tax asset valuation allowance, due to utilizing a portion of both the German and Belgian NOL during the period.  At June 30, 2017, our Chemicals Segment concluded we had sufficient positive evidence under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria to support reversal of the entire valuation allowance related to our German and Belgian operations.  In accordance with the ASC 740-270 guidance regarding accounting for income taxes at interim dates, the amount of the valuation allowance reversed at June 30, 2017 ($149.9 million, of which $141.9 million related to Germany and $8.0 million related to Belgium) was associated with our Chemicals Segment’s change in judgment at that date regarding the realizability of the related deferred income tax asset as it relates to future years (i.e. 2018 and after).  A change in judgment regarding the realizability of deferred tax assets as it relates to the current year is considered in determining the estimated annual effective tax rate for the year and is recognized throughout the year, including interim periods subsequent to the date of the change in judgment.   Accordingly, our income tax benefit in calendar year 2017 included an aggregate non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $186.7 million associated with the reversal of the German and Belgian valuation allowance, comprised of $12.7 million recognized in the first half of 2017 (noted above) associated with the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period, $149.9 million related to the portion of the valuation allowance reversed as of June 30, 2017 and $24.1 million recognized in the second half of 2017 associated with the utilization of a portion of both the German and Belgian NOLs during such period.  Our deferred income tax asset valuation allowance increased $13.7 million in 2017 as a result of changes in currency exchange rates, which increase was recognized as part of other comprehensive income (loss).

On December 22, 2017, the 2017 Tax Act was enacted into law. This new tax legislation, among other changes, (i) reduced the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018; (ii) implemented a territorial tax system and imposed a one-time repatriation tax (Transition Tax) on the deemed repatriation of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated up through December 31, 2017, regardless of whether such earnings are repatriated; (iii) eliminated U.S. tax on future non-U.S. earnings (subject to certain exceptions); (iv) eliminated the domestic production activities deduction beginning in 2018;  (v) eliminated the net operating loss carryback and provides for an indefinite carryforward period subject to an 80% annual usage limitation; (vi) allows for the expensing of certain capital expenditures; (vii) imposed a tax on global intangible low-tax income (GILTI) beginning in 2018; (viii) imposed a base erosion anti-abuse tax (BEAT) beginning in 2018; and (ix) amended the rules limiting the deduction for business interest expense beginning in 2018.  Following the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 118 to provide guidance on the accounting and reporting impacts of the 2017 Tax Act.  SAB 118 states that companies should account for changes related to the 2017 Tax Act in the period of enactment if all information is available and the accounting can be completed.  In situations where companies do not have enough information to complete the accounting in the period of enactment, a company must either 1) record an estimated provisional amount if the impact of the change can be reasonably estimated; or 2) continue to apply the accounting guidance that was in effect immediately prior to the 2017 Tax Act if the impact of the change cannot be reasonably estimated.  If estimated provisional amounts are recorded, SAB 118 provides a measurement period of no longer than one year during which companies adjusted those amounts as additional information became available in the reporting period within the measurement period in which such adjustment is determined.  

 

Under GAAP, we were required to revalue our net deferred tax asset associated with our U.S. net deductible temporary differences in the period in which the new tax legislation was enacted based on deferred tax balances as of the enactment date, to reflect the effect of such reduction in the corporate income tax rate.  Our net deductible temporary differences as of December 31, 2017 were not materially different from our net deductible temporary differences as of the enactment date, accordingly revaluation of our net deductible temporary differences was based on our net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017. Such revaluation was recognized in continuing operations and was not material to us.  Such revaluation resulted in a provisional non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $77.1 million recognized as of December 31, 2017 in continuing operations, reducing our net deferred income tax liability.   The amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 as a result of the 2017 Tax Act represented estimates based on information then available.  During the third quarter of 2018, in conjunction with finalizing our federal income tax return we were able to obtain, prepare and analyze the necessary information to complete the accounting under ASC 740 related to the revaluation of our net deferred tax liability associated with our U.S. net taxable temporary differences as of December 31, 2017, which resulted in a measurement period adjustment and recognition of a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $59.7 million, decreasing the provisional amount recognized at December 31, 2017. Such adjustment is almost entirely attributable to the re-measurement of our deferred income taxes with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock discussed below.  Accordingly, we completed our analysis related to such revaluation as of September 30, 2018.

Prior to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act the undistributed earnings of our Chemicals Segment’s European subsidiaries were deemed to be permanently reinvested (we had not made a similar determination with respect to the undistributed earnings of our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian subsidiary). Pursuant to the Transition Tax provisions imposing a one-time repatriation tax on post-1986 undistributed earnings, we recognized a provisional current income tax expense of $76.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.  The amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 as a result of the 2017 Tax Act represented estimates based on information available at that date.  We elected to pay such tax over an eight year period beginning in 2018.  During the third quarter of 2018, in conjunction with finalizing our federal income tax return and based on additional information that became available (including proposed regulations issued by the IRS in August 2018 with respect to the Transition Tax), we recognized a provisional income tax benefit of $2.1 million which amount is recorded as a measurement-period adjustment, reducing the provisional income tax expense of $76.2 million recognized in the fourth quarter of 2017.  Pursuant to IRS guidance issued in 2019, our Transitional Tax installment for the 2019 tax year is due in April 2020.  Prior to the issuance of the new guidance, we anticipated paying such installment in 2019.  Consequently, at December 31, 2019, taking into account the prior Transition Tax installments payments, the balance of our unpaid Transition Tax has not changed from the balance at December 31, 2018 and aggregates $62.2 million, which will be paid in annual installments over the remainder of the eight year period.  Of such $62.2 million, $56.3 million is recorded as a noncurrent payable to affiliate (income taxes payable to Contran) classified as a noncurrent liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheet, and $5.9 million is included with our current payable to affiliate (income taxes payable to Contran) classified as a current liability (a portion of our noncurrent income tax payable to affiliate was reclassified to our current payable to affiliate for the portion of our 2019 Transition Tax installment due within the next twelve months).   We completed our analysis of the Transition Tax provisions within the prescribed measurement period ending December 22, 2018 pursuant to the guidance under SAB 118.

As a result of the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act, effective January 1, 2018, and the Transition Tax which in effect taxes the post-1986 undistributed earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries accumulated up through December 31, 2017, we determined effective December 31, 2017 that all of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of our Chemicals Segment’s European subsidiaries are not permanently reinvested. Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 2017 we recognized an aggregate provisional non-cash deferred income tax expense of $5.3 million based on our reasonable estimates of the U.S. state and non-U.S. income tax and withholding tax liability attributable to all of such previously-considered permanently reinvested undistributed earnings through December 31, 2017.  The amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 as a result of the 2017 Tax Act represented estimates based on information available at that date.  We did not make any measurement-period adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded at December 31, 2017 for this item during 2018 because no new information became available during the period that required an adjustment.  However, we recorded a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $1.8 million for the U.S. state and non-U.S. income tax and withholding tax liability attributable to the 2018 undistributed earnings of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries in 2018, including withholding taxes related to the undistributed earnings of our Chemicals Segment’s Canadian subsidiary.  We completed our analysis as it relates to the implementation of a territorial tax system under the 2017 Tax Act within the prescribed measurement period ending December 22, 2018 pursuant to the guidance under SAB 118.

We record GILTI tax as a current-period expense when incurred under the period cost method. We have evaluated the tax impact of GILTI and BEAT provisions and related U.S. tax credit provisions applicable to tax years beginning in 2018 based on the relevant statutes.  We recognized a current cash income tax expense of $4.0 million and $1.8 million for GILTI in 2018 and 2019, respectively.  While our future global operations depend on a number of different factors, we do expect to have future U.S. inclusions in taxable income related to GILTI.  Similarly, we have evaluated the tax impact of BEAT and determined that the tax imposed under BEAT has no material impact to us as we have historically not entered into international payments between related parties that are unrelated to cost of sales.  Our determinations under the GILTI, BEAT and related non-U.S. tax credit provisions are based on the relevant statutes and guidance provided under the regulations.  

Certain U.S. deferred tax attributes of one of our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. subsidiaries, which subsidiary is treated as a dual resident for U.S. income tax purposes, were subject to various limitations.  As a result, we had previously concluded that a deferred income tax asset valuation allowance was required to be recognized with respect to such subsidiary’s U.S. net deferred income tax asset because such assets did not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria primarily due to (i) the various limitations regarding use of such attributes due to the dual residency; (ii) the dual resident subsidiary had a history of losses and absent distributions from our non-U.S. subsidiaries, which were previously not determinable, such subsidiary was expected to continue to generate losses; and (iii) a limited NOL carryforward period for U.S. tax purposes.  Because we had concluded the likelihood of realization of such subsidiary’s net deferred income tax asset was remote, we had not previously disclosed such valuation allowance or the associated amount of the subsidiary’s net deferred income tax assets (exclusive of such valuation allowance).  Primarily due to changes enacted under the 2017 Tax Act, we concluded we had sufficient positive evidence under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria to support reversal of the entire valuation allowance related to such subsidiary’s net deferred income tax asset, which evidence included, among other things, (i) the inclusion under Transition Tax provisions of significant earnings for U.S. income tax purposes which significantly and positively impacts the ability of such deferred tax attributes to be utilized by us; (ii) the indefinite carryforward period for U.S. net operating losses incurred after December 31, 2017; (iii) an expectation of continued future profitability for our U.S. operations; and (iv) a positive taxable income basket for U.S. tax purposes in excess of the U.S. deferred tax asset related to the U.S. attributes of such subsidiary.  Accordingly, in the fourth quarter of 2017 we recognized an $18.7 million non-cash deferred income tax benefit as a result of the reversal of such valuation allowance.

The 2017 Tax Act amended the rules limiting the deduction for business interest expense beginning in 2018.  The limitation applies to all taxpayers and our annual deduction for business interest expense is limited to the sum of our business interest income and 30% of our adjusted taxable income as defined under the 2017 Tax Act.  Any business interest expense not allowed as a deduction as a result of the limitation may be carried forward indefinitely and is treated as interest paid in the carryforward year subject to the respective year’s limitation.  We determined that our interest expense for 2018 and 2019 was limited under these provisions.  The limitation in 2018 resulted in part because of the loss we recognized on the sale of WCS for income tax purposes and the limitation in 2019 is primarily attributable to lower earnings. We have concluded that we are required to recognize a non-cash deferred income tax asset valuation allowance under the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria with respect to a portion of our deferred tax asset attributable to the nondeductible amount of business interest expense carryforward.  Consequently, our provision for income taxes includes a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $6.8 million in 2018 and $4.5 million in 2019 for the amount of deferred income tax asset that does not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition criteria.  In accordance with the ASC 740 guidance regarding intra-period allocation of income taxes, the full amount of non-cash deferred income tax expense in 2018 is classified as part of the income taxes associated with the pre-tax gain we recognized for financial reporting purposes on the sale of WCS which is classified as part of discontinued operations (see Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements and Discontinued Operations —Waste Control Specialists LLC).

In the fourth quarter of 2019, we recognized an income tax benefit of $3.0 million primarily related to the favorable settlement of a prior year tax matter in Germany, with $1.5 million recognized as a current cash tax benefit and $1.5 million recognized as a non-cash deferred income tax benefit related to an increase to our German net operating loss carryforward.  In addition, we recognized a non-cash deferred income tax expense of $4.7 million primarily related to the revaluation of our net deferred income tax asset in Germany resulting from a decrease in the German trade tax rate.

At December 31, 2019, none of our U.S. and non-U.S. tax returns were under examination.  As a result of prior audits in certain jurisdictions, which are now settled, in 2008 we filed Advance Pricing Agreement Requests with the tax authorities in the U.S., Canada and Germany.  These requests have been under review with the respective tax authorities since 2008 and prior to 2016, it was uncertain whether an agreement would be reached between the tax authorities and whether we would agree to execute and finalize such agreements.  

 

During the third quarter of 2017, Kronos’ Canadian subsidiary executed and finalized an Advance Pricing Agreement with the Competent Authority for Canada (the “Canada-Germany APA”) effective for tax years 2005 - 2017.  Pursuant to the terms of the Canada-Germany APA, the Canadian and German tax authorities agreed to certain prior year changes to taxable income of our Canadian and German subsidiaries.  As a result of such agreed-upon changes, we reversed a significant portion of our reserve for uncertain tax positions and recognized a non-cash income tax benefit of $8.6 million related to such reversal ($8.1 million recognized in the third quarter of 2017).  In addition, we recognized a $2.6 million non-cash income tax benefit related to an increase in our German NOLs and a $.6 million German cash tax refund related to the Canada-Germany APA in the third quarter of 2017.

 

During the first quarter of 2018, Kronos’ German subsidiary executed and finalized the related Advance Pricing Agreement with the Competent Authority for Germany (the “Germany-Canada APA”) effective for tax years 2005 - 2017.  In the first quarter of 2018, we recognized a net $1.4 million non-cash income tax benefit related to an APA tax settlement payment between Kronos’ German and Canadian subsidiaries.

 

We recognized a non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $1.8 million in 2018 related to a decrease in our effective state income tax rate; this decrease is a direct result of the sale of our interest in the Amalgamated Sugar Company LLC which reduced the number of state jurisdictions in which we are required to file.

 

We recognize deferred income taxes with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock because the exemption under GAAP to avoid such recognition of deferred income taxes is not available to us. At December 31, 2019, we have recognized a deferred income tax liability with respect to our direct investment in Kronos of $37.8 million.  There is a maximum amount (or cap) of such deferred income taxes we are required to recognize with respect to our direct investment in Kronos. The maximum amount of such deferred income tax liability we would be required to have recognized (the cap) is $155.4 million (the cap was reduced as a result of the decrease in our effective state tax rate in the third quarter of 2018 discussed above). During 2019, we recognized a non-cash deferred income tax expense with respect to our direct investment in Kronos of $.1 million for the increase in the deferred income taxes required to be recognized with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock, to the extent such increase related to our equity in Kronos’ net income during such period.  We recognized a similar non-cash deferred income tax expense of $4.9 million in 2018 and $22.1 million in 2017.  A portion of the net change with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock during such periods related to our equity in Kronos’ other comprehensive income (loss) items, and the amounts shown in the table above for income tax expense (benefit) allocated to other comprehensive income (loss) items includes amounts related to our equity in Kronos’ other comprehensive income (loss) items.  Due to uncertainties and complexities of the 2017 Tax Act, we were still evaluating the impact of the one-time deemed repatriation of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries up through December 31, 2017 as it relates to the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos at December 31, 2017.  During the third quarter of 2018, in conjunction with finalizing our federal income tax return and based on additional information that became available (including proposed regulations issued by the IRS in August 2018 with respect to the Transition Tax), we recognized an adjustment, which was treated as a measurement period adjustment, to the deferred income taxes we recognized at December 31, 2017 associated with our direct investment in Kronos common stock (before revaluation of our deferred tax liability related to the decrease in the corporate income tax rate).  Such adjustment resulted in an investment basis adjustment under the income tax regulations which increased the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos attributable to the income recognition related to the deemed repatriation of the post-1986 undistributed earnings of our non-U.S. subsidiaries in 2017.  Such adjustment resulted in a non-cash deferred tax measurement period adjustment decreasing the deferred income taxes we recognize with respect to the excess of the financial reporting carrying amount over the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos common stock.  Including the impact of the non-cash deferred tax revaluation adjustment discussed above, we recognized a net non-cash deferred income tax benefit of $112 million in the third quarter of 2018 related to the incremental tax on Kronos.  We completed our analysis related to the impact of the 2017 Tax Act as it related to the income tax basis of our direct investment in Kronos as of September 30, 2018.    

We believe we have adequate accruals for additional taxes and related interest expense which could ultimately result from tax examinations.  We believe the ultimate disposition of tax examinations should not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.  

The following table shows the changes in the amount of our uncertain tax positions (exclusive of the effect of interest and penalties) during 2017, 2018 and 2019:

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

2017

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

(In millions)

 

Unrecognized tax benefits:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount at beginning of year

$

35.6

 

 

$

17.1

 

 

$

21.0

 

Net increase (decrease):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax positions taken in prior periods

 

(13.3

)

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

(5.6

)

Tax positions taken in current period

 

4.5

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

.7

 

Lapse due to applicable statute of limitations

 

(8.1

)

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

-

 

Settlement with taxing authorities

 

(2.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(2.2

)

Changes in currency exchange rates

 

.7

 

 

 

(.1

)

 

 

(.1

)

Amount at end of year

$

17.1

 

 

$

21.0

 

 

$

13.8

 

 

If our uncertain tax positions were recognized, a benefit of $13.2 million at December 31, 2019, would affect our effective income tax rate. We currently estimate that our unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $4.3 million, excluding interest, during the next twelve months related to the expiration of certain statutes of limitations.

We and Contran file income tax returns in U.S. federal and various state and local jurisdictions. We also file income tax returns in various foreign jurisdictions, principally in Germany, Canada, Belgium and Norway. Our U.S. income tax returns prior to 2016 are generally considered closed to examination by applicable tax authorities. Our foreign income tax returns are generally considered closed to examination for years prior to: 2010 for Norway; 2014 for Canada; 2015 for Germany; and 2016 for Belgium.

We accrue interest and penalties on our uncertain tax positions as a component of our provision for income taxes. We accrued interest and penalties of $2.1 million during 2017, $1.3 million during each of 2018 and 2019, and at December 31, 2018 and 2019 we had $2.2 million and $1.9 million, respectively, accrued for interest and an immaterial amount accrued for penalties for our uncertain tax positions.