INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Income tax expense and effective tax rates were:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2020			2019
	(in thousands, except effective tax rate)
Income before income taxes	$	18,778		$	30,329
Income tax expense	7,687			5,619
Effective tax rate	40.9		%	18.5		%

The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to the same period in 2019, was driven primarily by tax expense recorded in profitable jurisdictions and by operating losses in certain jurisdictions where we have determined that it is not more likely than not to realize the associated tax benefits. Our effective income tax rate, for each period presented, also differs from the federal U.S. statutory rate primarily due to differences in income tax rates between U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. There were no significant or unusual discrete tax items during the three months ended March 31, 2020. We had unrecognized tax benefits of $4.3 million and $4.6 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively, and we do not expect any significant changes in tax benefits in the next twelve months.

Our tax rate is volatile and may increase or decrease with changes in, among other things, the amount of income or loss by jurisdiction, our ability to utilize net operating losses and foreign tax credits, changes in tax laws, and the movement of liabilities established pursuant to accounting guidance for uncertain tax positions as statutes of limitations expire, positions are effectively settled, or when additional information becomes available. There are proposed or pending tax law changes in various jurisdictions and other changes to regulatory environments in countries in which we do business that, if enacted, may have an impact on our effective tax rate.