INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

NOTE 2—INCOME TAXES

At the end of each interim period, the Company estimates the annual effective income tax rate and applies that rate to its ordinary year-to-date earnings or loss. The income tax provision or benefit related to significant, unusual, or extraordinary items, if applicable, that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effects, is individually computed and recognized in the interim period in which it occurs. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates, tax status, judgment on the realizability of beginning-of-the-year deferred tax assets in future years or unrecognized tax benefits is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs.

The computation of the estimated annual effective income tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected pre-tax income (or loss) for the year, projections of the proportion of income (and/or loss) earned and taxed in foreign jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision or benefit for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained or our tax environment changes. To the extent that the estimated annual effective income tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in the income tax provision in the quarter in which the change occurs.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $30.6 million and $41.6 million, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three-month period in 2024 of 20% was lower than the statutory rate primarily due to the lower tax rate on U.S. income derived from foreign sources and the benefit realized upon the conclusion of certain state income tax audits. These decreases were partially offset by state income taxes, nondeductible stock-based compensation, and unfavorable tax adjustments upon the vesting of certain stock-based awards due to a lower stock price on the date the awards vested compared to the grant date fair value of such awards. The effective tax rate for the three month-period in 2023 of 26% was higher than the U.S. statutory federal rate primarily due to unfavorable tax adjustments upon the vesting of certain stock-based awards due to a lower stock price on the date the awards vested compared to the grant date fair value of such awards. This was partially offset by a lower rate on U.S. income derived from foreign sources.

Match Group is routinely under audit by federal, state, local, and foreign authorities in the area of income tax. These audits include a review of the timing and amount of income and deductions, and the allocation of such income and deductions among various tax jurisdictions. The Company is open to U.S. federal audit for tax years after December 31, 2019, and returns filed in various other jurisdictions are open to examination for tax years beginning with 2014. Although we believe that we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, the final tax outcome of these matters may vary significantly from our estimates.

At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, were $39.1 million and $45.8 million, respectively. If unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2024 are subsequently recognized, income tax expense would be reduced by $36.3 million, net of related deferred tax assets and interest. The comparable amount as of December 31, 2023 was $41.0 million. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by $1.2 million by March 31, 2025 due to expirations of statutes of limitations, which would reduce the income tax provision.

The Company recognizes interest and, if applicable, penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision. Accruals of interest and penalties for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were not material. At March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, noncurrent income taxes payable includes accrued interest and penalties of $0.6 million and $0.9 million, respectively.