Taxes

Effective Tax Rate

The Company estimates its annual effective tax rate at the end of each fiscal quarter. The effective tax rate takes into account the Company's estimations of annual pre-tax income, the geographic mix of pre-tax income and interpretations of tax laws and possible outcomes of audits.

The following table presents the provision (benefit) for income taxes and the effective tax rates:



	Three Months Ended January 31,
	2019			2018
	(in thousands)
Income before income taxes	$	147,055		$	120,103
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	(6,459	)	$	123,794
Effective tax rate	(4.4		)%	103.1		%

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act), enacted on December 22, 2017, lowered the statutory federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective on January 1, 2018. Beginning in the Company's fiscal 2019, the annual statutory federal corporate tax rate is 21%.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended January 31, 2019 is lower than the statutory federal corporate tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to U.S. federal and California research credits, foreign-derived intangible income deduction, excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation, and a decrease in unrecognized foreign tax benefits, partially offset by state taxes, the effect of non-deductible stock-based compensation, and higher taxes on certain foreign earnings.

The Company's effective tax rate decreased in the three months ended January 31, 2019 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2018, primarily due to accounting for the effects of the enactment of the Tax Act in fiscal 2018, offset by the benefit resulting from a decrease in unrecognized foreign tax benefits.

The Tax Act includes certain new tax provisions listed below in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.


•	A tax on global intangible low-tax income (GILTI), which is determined annually based on the Company’s aggregate foreign subsidiaries’ income in excess of certain qualified business asset investment return. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company adopted an accounting policy to account for the tax effects of GILTI in the period that it is subject to such tax.


•	A base erosion and anti-abuse tax (BEAT), which functions as a minimum tax that partially disallows deductions for certain related party transactions and certain tax credits.


•	A special tax deduction for foreign-derived intangible income (FDII), which, in general, allows a deduction of certain intangible income earned in the U.S. and derived from foreign sources.

In the first quarter of 2019, the U.S. Treasury Department issued proposed regulations that could impact the calculation of taxes related to these provisions. While the Company continues to evaluate the potential impact on its estimated annual tax rate, such regulations have not been finalized and are subject to change.

On July 27, 2015, the United States Tax Court (Tax Court) issued an opinion (Altera Corp. et al. v. Commissioner) regarding the treatment of stock-based compensation expense in intercompany cost-sharing arrangements. In view of the Tax Court opinion, the Company amended its cost-sharing arrangement effective February 1, 2016 to exclude stock-based compensation expense on a prospective basis and has reflected the corresponding benefits in its income tax expense for fiscal year 2016, 2017 and 2018. On July 24, 2018, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed the decision of the Tax Court, however, subsequently withdrew the decision on August 7, 2018. A rehearing of the case was held on October 16, 2018, but a decision has not yet been issued. As the final resolution with respect to historical cost-sharing of stock-based compensation, and the potential impact on the Company, is unclear, the Company is recording no impact at this time and will continue to monitor developments related to this opinion and the potential impact of those developments on the Company's prior fiscal years. The Company's intercompany cost-sharing arrangement was terminated at the end of fiscal 2018 as part of a tax restructuring.

The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, as are the amounts and timing of various tax payments that are part of the settlement process. This could cause large fluctuations in the balance sheet classification of current and non-current assets and liabilities. The Company believes that in the coming 12 months, it is reasonably possible that either certain audits will conclude or the statute of limitations on certain state and foreign income and withholding taxes will expire, or both. Given the uncertainty as to ultimate settlement terms, the timing of payment and the impact of such settlements on other uncertain tax positions, the range of the estimated potential decrease in underlying unrecognized tax benefits is between $0 and $21 million. In addition, a settlement or changes in guidance could result in changes to the Company's valuation allowance.

Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740), Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” This ASU requires the immediate recognition of current and deferred income tax effects of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory. This ASU was adopted on the first day of fiscal 2019. As a result of the adoption, the Company recorded a decrease of approximately $130.5 million in retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption, with a corresponding decrease in prepaid taxes related to the unamortized tax expense attributed to intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory previously deferred. The Company will recognize the income tax consequences of new intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory in the consolidated statement of income in the period when the transaction takes place.

Non-U.S. Examinations

In July 2017, the Hungarian Tax Authority (HTA) issued a final assessment against the Company’s Hungarian subsidiary (Synopsys Hungary) for fiscal years 2011 through 2013. The HTA has applied withholding taxes on certain payments made to affiliates, resulting in an aggregate tax assessment of approximately $25.0 million and interest and penalties of $11.0 million (at current exchange rates). On August 2, 2017, Synopsys Hungary filed a claim contesting the final assessment with the Hungarian Administrative Court. In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, Synopsys Hungary paid the assessments, penalties and interest as required by law and recorded these amounts as prepaid taxes on its balance sheet, while continuing its challenge to the assessment through the Hungarian Administrative Court. Another court hearing is scheduled for February 26, 2019. If the Company ultimately prevails in the case, the assessment of $25.0 million and associated interest and penalties would be canceled.

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company made significant changes to its international tax structure by transferring intangible assets between certain foreign subsidiaries, including its Hungarian subsidiary. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company received a ruling from the Hungarian authorities, which provided guidance on determining the tax associated with the gain recognized on the transfer, resulting in a benefit of $22.8 million recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company reached final settlement with Taiwanese tax authorities for fiscal year 2017 and recognized $5.5 million in previously unrecognized tax benefits.

The Company is also under examination by the tax authorities in certain other jurisdictions. No material assessments have been proposed in these examinations.