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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
For financial reporting purposes, income (loss) before income taxes includes the following components (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
United States$69,817 $19,405 $(16,317)
Foreign105,248 79,221 88,527 
Total$175,065 $98,626 $72,210 

The expense (benefit) for income taxes consists of the following (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
Federal
Current$3,994 $(2,683)$3,738 
Deferred6,067 (3,477)(25,150)
Total10,061 (6,160)(21,412)
State
Current7,592 2,514 590 
Deferred(1,498)(1,758)342 
Total6,094 756 932 
Foreign
Current31,955 22,786 22,960 
Deferred(836)8,584 2,668 
Total31,119 31,370 25,628 
Total$47,274 $25,966 $5,148 

Differences between the income tax expense computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and per the consolidated statements of operations are summarized as follows (in thousands):
Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
Tax expense at federal rate of 21%$36,764 $20,711 $15,164 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit4,816 321 1,227 
Change in valuation allowance1,228 2,459 (12,760)
Foreign tax rate differential(5,376)(1,809)(2,535)
Unrecognized tax benefit increase (decrease)858 (4,405)898 
Tax effect of foreign operations16,151 11,373 6,698 
Tax benefit of research & development(4,123)(2,173)(2,506)
Performance-based compensation(1,887)(2,624)(560)
Other(1,157)2,113 (478)
Income tax provision$47,274 $25,966 $5,148 

The countries having the greatest impact on the tax rate adjustment line shown in the above table as “Foreign tax rate differential” are Colombia, Ireland, and Singapore for the year ended December 31, 2021; Ireland, Mexico, Singapore, and the United Kingdom for the year ended December 31, 2020; and Ireland, Luxembourg, and the United Kingdom for the year ended December 31, 2019.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, following the acquisition of Speedpay, the Company determined it will more likely than not be able to utilize foreign tax credits in future years due to additional income generated by Speedpay; therefore, the Company released the $15.5 million valuation allowance that had been established on this deferred tax asset.

The deferred tax assets and liabilities result from differences in the timing of the recognition of certain income and expense items for tax and financial accounting purposes. The sources of these differences at each balance sheet date are as follows (in thousands):
December 31,
20212020
Deferred income tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards$18,826 $20,347 
Tax credits19,316 40,188 
Compensation17,133 18,731 
Deferred revenue16,333 19,169 
Operating lease10,236 10,162 
Other9,988 9,051 
Gross deferred income tax assets91,832 117,648 
Less: valuation allowance(11,324)(10,112)
Net deferred income tax assets$80,508 $107,536 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization$(41,465)$(48,967)
Operating lease right-of-use asset(8,791)(7,650)
Deferred revenue(15,596)(33,947)
Total deferred income tax liabilities(65,852)(90,564)
Net deferred income taxes$14,656 $16,972 
Deferred income taxes / liabilities included in the balance sheet are:
Deferred income tax asset – noncurrent$50,778 $57,476 
Deferred income tax liability – noncurrent(36,122)(40,504)
Net deferred income taxes$14,656 $16,972 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. The Company considers projected future taxable income, carryback opportunities, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company believes it is more likely than not that it will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the valuation allowances recorded.

At December 31, 2021, the Company had domestic federal tax net operating losses (“NOLs”) of $58.3 million, of which $2.9 million may be utilized over an indefinite life, with the remainder beginning to expire in 2022. The Company had deferred tax assets equal to $1.1 million related to domestic state tax NOLs which will begin to expire in 2022. The Company does not have any valuation allowance against the federal tax NOLs but has provided a $1.0 million valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset associated with the state NOLs. The Company had foreign tax NOLs of $19.4 million, of which $19.1 million may be utilized over an indefinite life, with the remainder expiring over the next nine years. The Company has provided a $0.1 million valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset associated with the foreign NOLs.
The Company had U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards at December 31, 2021, of $21.4 million, for which a $2.3 million valuation allowance has been provided. The U.S. foreign tax credits will begin to expire in 2027. The Company had foreign tax credit carryforwards in other foreign jurisdictions at December 31, 2021, of $2.2 million, of which $1.1 million may be utilized over an indefinite life, with the remainder expiring over the next seven years. The Company has provided a $1.2 million valuation allowance against the tax benefit associated with these foreign credits. The Company also has domestic federal and state general business tax credit carryforwards at December 31, 2021, of $20.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, which will begin to expire in 2022.

Prior to 2018, the Company considered all earnings in foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested, and accordingly, recorded no deferred income taxes related to unremitted earnings. As of December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, the Company considered only the earnings in its Indian subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested. The earnings of all other foreign subsidiaries are no longer considered indefinitely reinvested. The Company is also permanently reinvested for outside book/tax basis differences related to foreign subsidiaries.

The unrecognized tax benefit at December 31, 2021 and 2020, was $24.5 million and $24.3 million, respectively, of which $16.9 million and $17.7 million, respectively, are included in other noncurrent liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Of the total unrecognized tax benefit amounts at December 31, 2021 and 2020, $23.5 million and $23.2 million, respectively, represent the net unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate in the respective years.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31 is as follows (in thousands):
202120202019
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of year$24,310 $29,000 $28,406 
Increases for tax positions of prior years1,533 4,219 2,784 
Decreases for tax positions of prior years(65)— (96)
Increases for tax positions established for the current period2,272 3,912 2,542 
Decreases for settlements with taxing authorities(620)(285)(220)
Reductions resulting from lapse of applicable statute of limitation(2,876)(12,630)(4,462)
Adjustment resulting from foreign currency translation(44)94 46 
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits at end of year$24,510 $24,310 $29,000 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state and local jurisdictions, and many foreign jurisdictions. The United States, India, Ireland, Singapore, and the United Kingdom are the main taxing jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The years open for audit vary depending on the tax jurisdiction. In the United States, the Company’s tax returns for years following 2017 are open for audit. In the foreign jurisdictions, the tax returns open for audit generally vary by jurisdiction between 2004 and 2020.

The Company’s Indian income tax returns covering fiscal years 2005, 2011 through 2014, and 2016 through 2020 are under audit by the Indian tax authority. Other foreign subsidiaries could face challenges from various foreign tax authorities. It is not certain that the local authorities will accept the Company’s tax positions. The Company believes its tax positions comply with applicable tax law and intends to vigorously defend its positions. However, differing positions on certain issues could be upheld by tax authorities, which could adversely affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.

The Company believes it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease within the next 12 months by approximately $5.8 million due to the settlement of various audits and the expiration of statutes of limitations. The Company accrues interest related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense or interest income and recognizes penalties related to uncertain tax positions in other income or other expense. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, is accrued for the payment of interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities. The aggregate amount of interest and penalties expense (benefit) recorded in the statements of operations for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020, and 2019, was $(0.1) million, less than $0.1 million, and $0.2 million, respectively.