	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020			2021			2020
Effective tax rate		21.5	%		22.3	%		20.3	%		24.3	%

The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to a $1.0 million discrete tax benefit relating to changes in the Company’s valuation allowances, which was partially offset by the UK tax rate change during the three months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease was also affected by shifts in earnings among the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Several additional factors, none of which were individually material, also impacted the rate. The difference between the Company’s effective tax rate as compared to the U.S. statutory federal tax rate of 21.0% was primarily due to the tax impact of permanent differences, state income and foreign withholding taxes, partially offset by the recognition of net tax benefits resulting from foreign tax rate differentials, income earned in certain tax holiday jurisdictions and tax credits.

The decrease in the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2021 as compared to 2020 was primarily due to $2.0 million in discrete tax benefits relating to changes in the Company’s valuation allowances, the Philippines tax law change and stock compensation recognized, partially offset by the UK tax rate change during the six months ended June 30, 2021. The decrease was also affected by shifts in earnings among the various jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Several additional factors, none of which were individually material, also impacted the rate. The difference between the Company’s effective tax rate as compared to the U.S. statutory federal tax rate of 21.0% was primarily due to the recognition of net tax benefits resulting from foreign tax rate differentials, income earned in certain tax holiday jurisdictions and tax credits, partially offset by the tax impact of permanent differences, state income and foreign withholding taxes.

The Company provides U.S. income taxes on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries unless they are exempted from taxation. No additional income taxes have been provided for any indefinitely reinvested earnings or outside basis differences. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any remaining outside basis

difference in these entities is not practicable due to the inherent complexity of the multi-jurisdictional tax environment in which the Company operates.

The Company is currently under audit in several tax jurisdictions. The Company believes it has adequate reserves related to all matters pertaining to these audits. Should the Company experience unfavorable outcomes from these audits, such outcomes could have a significant impact on its financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.