13.Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate is based on expected income, statutory rates and tax planning opportunities available to it. For interim financial reporting, the Company estimates its annual tax rate based on projected taxable income (loss) for the full year and records a quarterly tax provision in accordance with the anticipated annual rate. Income tax expense (benefit) included in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations was as follows (in thousands, except percentages):


	Three months ended						Nine months ended
	September 30,						September 30,
		2019			2018			2019			2018
Income tax expense (benefit)	$	467		$	(3,071)		$	920		$	78
Effective tax rate		10.4	%		32.6	%		(20.0)	%		108.3	%

The effective rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 differed from the Company’s statutory federal rate of 21% primarily due to the recording of an additional valuation allowance to offset net operating loss carryforwards and foreign tax credits generated during the period, foreign income taxes, state income taxes and the non-deductibility of certain permanent items.

During the year ended December 31, 2018 the Company assessed the realizability of its deferred tax assets and determined that it was more likely than not that some portion or all the deferred tax assets would not be realized and therefore recorded a valuation allowance on the net deferred tax assets. The Company assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. The Company considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, available carryback periods, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. For the period ended September 30, 2019 the Company evaluated all positive and negative evidence in determining the amount of deferred tax assets more likely than not to be realized. Based on the review of available evidence, Management believes that a valuation allowance on the net deferred tax assets at September 30, 2019 remains appropriate.

The Company does not expect that unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2019 for certain federal income tax matters will significantly change due to any settlement and/or expiration of statutes of limitations over the next 12 months. The final outcome of these uncertain tax positions is not yet determinable. The Company’s uncertain tax benefits, if recognized, would affect the Company’s effective tax rate.