Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2023

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rate decreased to 10.3 percent for the 2023 first quarter compared to 20.7 percent for the 2022 first quarter, primarily due to the current year release of tax reserves.

Our unrecognized tax benefit balance decreased by $99 million to $156 million at March 31, 2023 from $255 million at December 31, 2022, primarily due to the completion of a prior year tax audit. Our unrecognized tax benefit balance included $145 million at March 31, 2023 and $241 million at December 31, 2022 of tax positions that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months we will reach resolution of income tax examinations in one or more jurisdictions. The actual amount of any change to our unrecognized tax benefits could vary depending on the timing and nature of the settlement. Therefore, an estimate of the change cannot be provided.

We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, in various jurisdictions around the world. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has examined our federal income tax returns, and as of March 31, 2023, we have settled all issues for tax years through 2019. Our 2020 through 2023 tax year audits are currently ongoing. Various foreign, state, and local income tax returns are also under examination by the applicable taxing authorities.

We paid cash for income taxes, net of refunds, of $68 million in the 2023 first quarter and $38 million in the 2022 first quarter.