INCOME TAXES

Our income tax benefit was $1.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. Included in this benefit was a net tax benefit discretely related to the three months ended December 31, 2019 of $1.0 million. This benefit primarily was the result of excess tax benefits recognized on stock compensation and an adjustment of our state deferred tax rate due to the Opengear acquisition. For the three months ended December 31, 2019, our effective tax rate before items discretely related to the period was less than the U.S. statutory rate due primarily to certain income tax credits generated in the U.S.

Income tax expense was $1.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2018. Included in this expense was a net tax benefit discretely related to the three months ended December 31, 2018 of $0.1 million. This expense primarily was the result of expiring statute of limitations of uncertain tax benefits as well as excess tax benefits recognized on stock compensation. For the three months ended December 31, 2018, our effective tax rate before items discretely related to the period was less than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to certain income tax credits generated in the U.S.

10. INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED)

Our effective tax rate will vary based on a variety of factors. These include our overall profitability, the geographical mix of income before taxes and related statutory tax rate in each jurisdiction, and tax items discretely related to the period, such as settlements of audits. We may record other benefits or expenses in the future that are specific to a particular quarter such as expiration of statutes of limitation, the completion of tax audits, or legislation that is enacted in both U.S. and foreign jurisdictions.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is (in thousands):



Unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2019	$	1,713
Decreases related to:
Settlements	(7		)
Expiration of statute of limitations	(39		)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2019	$	1,667

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate is $1.5 million, after considering the impact of interest and deferred benefit items. We expect that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $0.3 million over the next 12 months.