9. Income Taxes

The following summarizes income tax expense (benefit) and effective tax rates:



	Three Months Ended March 31,
millions except percentages	2016			2015
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	(383	)	$	(1,392	)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(1,381		)	(4,628		)
Effective tax rate	28		%	30		%

The Company reported a loss before income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015. As a result, items that ordinarily increase or decrease the tax rate will have the opposite effect.

The decrease from the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, was primarily attributable to non-deductible Algerian exceptional profits tax for Algerian income tax purposes, the tax impact from foreign operations, and net changes in uncertain tax positions.

At March 31, 2016, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet included $1.1 billion of income taxes receivable presented in accounts receivable—others.