Income taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

Income taxes

Income taxes

8. Income taxes

The following table summarizes the current and deferred portions of the net income tax expense:

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Six Months Ended June 30,
	2020		2019		2020		2019
Current income tax expense	$	1.2	$	1.6	$	2.4	$	2.9
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)		—		—		0.3		(0.7)
Total income tax expense, net	$	1.2	$	1.6	$	2.7	$	2.2

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2020 was $1.2 million. Expected income tax benefit for the same period, based on the Canadian enacted statutory rate of 27%, was $0.8 million. The primary items impacting the tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2020 were $2.7 million related to changes in estimates due to tax filings and $0.5 million of other permanent differences. These items were partially offset by $1.0 million relating to foreign exchange losses and a net decrease to the Company's valuation allowances of $0.2 million, consisting of $2.1 million increases in Canada and $2.3 million decreases in the United States due to the utilization of net operating losses.

Income tax expense for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was $1.6 million. Expected income tax expense for the same period, based on the Canadian enacted statutory rate of 27%, was $1.2 million. The primary item impacting the tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2019 was a net increase to our valuation allowances of $1.5 million, consisting of $3.7 million increases in Canada and $2.2 million decreases in the United States due to the utilization of net operating losses. In addition, the rate was further impacted by $0.4 million relating to withholding and state taxes and

$0.2 million of other permanent differences. These items were partially offset by $1.7 million relating to foreign exchange.

Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was $2.7 million. Expected income tax expense for the same period, based on the Canadian enacted statutory rate of 27%, was $6.0 million. The primary items impacting the tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2020 was a net decrease to our valuation allowances of $8.9 million, consisting of $3.8 million decreases in Canada and $5.1 million decreases in the United States due to the utilization of net operating losses. These items were offset by $2.7 million related to changes in estimates due to tax filings, $1.1 million relating to foreign exchange gains, $0.6 million relating to withholding and state taxes and $1.2 million of other permanent differences.

Income tax expense for the six months ended June 30, 2019 was $2.2 million. Expected income tax expense for the same period, based on the Canadian enacted statutory rate of 27%, was $2.0 million. The primary items impacting the tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2019 were $0.8 million related to withholding and state taxes and $0.3 million of other permanent differences. These items were partially offset by $0.9 million relating to foreign exchange.

As of June 30, 2020, we have recorded a valuation allowance of $136.6 million. The amount is comprised primarily of provisions against Canadian and U.S. net operating loss carryforwards. In assessing the recoverability of our deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon projected timing on the reversal of deferred tax liabilities and future taxable income in the United States and in Canada and available tax planning strategies.