Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Effective Tax Rates

Our quarterly provision for income taxes is measured using an annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items within the period presented.

Our effective tax rates are as follows:

	Three Months Ended September 30,		Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2021	2020	2021	2020
Effective Tax Rate	15.0%	25.7%	18.1%	23.3%

Our effective tax rate attributable to continuing operations for the three months ended September 30, 2021 is lower than the prior year’s comparable period primarily due to higher foreign tax credits utilized, partially offset by a lower amount of U.S. federal research credits generated.

Our effective tax rate attributable to continuing operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 is lower than the prior year’s comparable period primarily due to higher foreign tax credits utilized, partially offset by a lower reversal of tax accruals.

Our effective tax rates attributable to continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 are lower than the statutory U.S. federal tax rate of 21% primarily due to tax credit utilization, partially offset by state taxes net of federal benefit, statutory inclusions, and nondeductible expenses.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

During the three months ended September 30, 2021, our gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, decreased by $0.1 million, primarily as a result of decreases due to expiration of statues of limitations in the current year, partially offset by increases in tax positions taken in the current and prior periods. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, our gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, increased by $0.3 million primarily as a result of tax positions taken in the current and prior periods. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate decreased by $2.0 million and $1.4 million, respectively. The difference between these amounts relates to (1) offsetting tax effects from other tax jurisdictions, and (2) interest expense, net of deferred taxes.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, we recognized $2.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively, of interest income related to unrecognized tax benefits in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of

September 30, 2021, and December 31, 2020, the total amount of accrued interest and penalty expense related to unrecognized tax benefits recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets was $5.3 million and $7.5 million, respectively.

During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $5.0 million due to expiration of statutes of limitations and settlements with tax authorities. However, if the ultimate resolution of income tax examinations results in amounts that differ from this estimate, we will record additional income tax expense or benefit in the period in which such matters are effectively settled.