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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
We utilize our estimated annual effective tax rate to determine our provision for income taxes for interim periods. The income tax provision is computed by taking the estimated annual effective rate and multiplying it by the year-to-date pre-tax book income.
We recorded income tax expense of $2.2 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. We recorded income tax expense of $5.3 million and $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased primarily due to an
increase in global pre-tax income and the mix of pre-tax income among jurisdictions, including losses not benefited as a result of a valuation allowance.
At December 31, 2019, we assessed the realizability of our deferred tax assets by considering whether it is "more likely than not" 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. We considered taxable income in carryback years, the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. At December 31, 2019, we had a three-year cumulative operating loss for our U.S. operations and accordingly, have provided a full valuation allowance on our U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, there was no change to our valuation allowance position.
At September 30, 2020, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $3.1 million, including interest and penalties, of which approximately $3.1 million of this amount, if not for the state Research and Experimentation income tax credit valuation allowance, would affect the annual effective tax rate if these tax benefits are realized. Further, we are unaware of any positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase within the next twelve months. However, based on federal, state and foreign statute expirations in various jurisdictions, we anticipate a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $0.2 million within the next twelve months based on federal, state, and foreign statute expirations in various jurisdictions. We have classified uncertain tax positions as non-current income tax liabilities unless they are expected to be paid within one year.
We have elected to classify interest and penalties as a component of tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties of $0.2 million at September 30, 2020 and $0.2 million at December 31, 2019 are included in the unrecognized tax benefits.
On March 18, 2020 and March 27, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response ("FFCR") Act and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act, respectively, were enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FFCR Act and the CARES Act contain numerous income tax provisions, such as relaxing limitations on the deductibility of interest and the use of net operating losses arising in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of this legislation on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. Future regulatory guidance under the FFCR and CARES Acts (as well as under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) remains forthcoming and such guidance may ultimately increase or decrease their impact on our business and financial condition. It is also possible that Congress will enact additional legislation in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, some of which may impact us.
In April 2020, recent interpretations of a German law relating to withholding taxes on intellectual property rights emerged. We are currently evaluating this law and any related impact to our financial position and results of operations.