INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

In general, the Company is required to use an estimated annual effective tax rate ("AETR") to measure the income tax expense or benefit recognized on a year to date basis in an interim period. In addition, certain items included in income tax expense as well as the tax impact of certain items included in pretax income must be treated as discrete items. The income tax expense or benefit associated with these discrete items is fully recognized in the interim period in which the items occur.

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded a tax expense of $82,846 on pre-tax income of $284,987, resulting in an effective tax rate that was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The higher tax rate was due to the impact of certain non-deductible expenses and state tax expense.

For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company recorded a tax expense of $112,007 on pre-tax income of $390,546, resulting in an effective tax rate that was higher than the U.S. statutory tax rate. The higher tax rate was due to the impact of certain non-deductible expenses and state tax expense.