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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

(7) Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense at an effective rate of 28.6% for three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to an effective rate of 23.0% for the three months ended September 30, 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, partially offset by the favorable impact of the gain from the ManpowerGroup Greater China Limited disposition, which was non-taxable. The 2018 rate was favorably impacted by the enactment of the Tax Act of 2017 and certain discrete tax benefits. The 28.6% effective tax rate in the quarter was higher than the United States Federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the French business tax and overall mix of earnings.

We recorded income tax expense at the effective rate of 34.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to an effective rate of 26.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. The 34.5% effective tax rate was higher than the United States Federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the French business tax, our overall mix of earnings, and the recognition of valuation allowances in Germany.

As of September 30, 2019, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $31.1 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 September 30, 2019, we are subject to tax audits in Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany and the United States. We believe that the resolution of these audits will not have a material impact on earnings.