Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Income tax expense of $33.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 reflects income taxes, foreign withholding taxes and minimum taxes.

We monitor on an ongoing basis our ability to utilize our deferred tax assets and whether there is a need for a related valuation allowance. In evaluating our ability to recover our deferred tax assets in the jurisdictions from which they arise, we consider all available positive and negative evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations.

We maintain a valuation allowance on certain U.S. and foreign deferred tax assets. Such valuation allowances are released as the related tax benefits are realized or when sufficient evidence exists to conclude that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our interest expense carryforward as a result of the limitation of deductibility of interest expense contained in the Tax Act. Realization of the carryforward is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income to overcome the interest limitation provisions. Although utilization of this carryforward is not assured, in light of our current earnings and recent estimates of future taxable income, management believes there is a reasonable possibility that sufficient positive evidence may become available within the next 12 months to allow us to reach a conclusion that the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of the valuation allowance would result in a decrease to income tax expense for the period the release is recorded.

Unrecognized tax benefits represent reserves for potential tax deficiencies or reductions in tax benefits that could result from federal, state or foreign tax audits. Gross unrecognized tax benefits increased from $26.2 million at December 31, 2019 to $30.0 million as of September 30, 2020, primarily due to increases related to income attribution, offset by

decreases from the lapse of statutes of limitations. All of our unrecognized tax benefits would reduce our effective tax rate if recognized. Our unrecognized tax benefits are subject to change for effective settlement of examinations, changes in the recognition threshold of tax positions, the expiration of statutes of limitations and other factors. We have tax returns that are open to examination in various jurisdictions for tax years 2012-2019. The open years contain matters that could be subject to differing interpretations of applicable tax laws and regulations related to the amount and/or timing of income, deductions and tax credits. There can be no assurance that the outcome of the examinations will be favorable. In certain circumstances where we elect to appeal the results of an examination, we may be required to make tax assessment payments to proceed with the administrative appeal process.