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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense at an effective rate of 42.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as compared to an effective rate of 29.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2018. The 2019 rate was unfavorably impacted by the transition of the French CICE subsidy, which was non-taxable, to new French subsidies in January 2019 that are taxable, and the recognition of valuation allowances against certain tax losses. The 42.8% effective tax rate in the quarter was higher than the United States Federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the French business tax, restructuring costs recorded in the quarter, our overall mix of earnings and the recognition of valuation allowances against certain tax losses.

As of March 31, 2019, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $35.0 that would favorably impact the effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2018, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $34.2. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.

We conduct business globally in various countries and territories. We are routinely audited by the tax authorities of the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Generally, the tax years that could be subject to examination are 2012 through 2019 for our major operations in France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. As of March 31, 2019, we are subject to tax audits in Austria, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany and the United States. We believe that the resolution of these audits will not have a material impact on earnings.