INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	12. INCOME TAXES The Company’s tax rate was 20.3% and 11.4% for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in the Company’s tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 was driven primarily by the impact of discrete tax items and special (gains) and charges. The Company recognized net tax benefits related to discrete tax items of $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2020. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $23.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. The Company also recognized tax expense related to friction costs associated with ChampionX separation activity of $18.8 million. Additionally, the Company recognized expense of $5.8 million related to foreign and U.S. changes in estimates. The remaining discrete benefit of $3.5 million was due to reserves released during the quarter. The Company recognized total net benefit related to discrete tax items of $27.7 million in the first quarter of 2019. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $18.7 million. The Company also recognized a $5.1 million benefit due to issuance of technical guidance during the quarter related to the one-time transition tax imposed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). The remaining discrete benefit was primarily related to changes in tax rates in non-U.S. jurisdictions.

INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

12. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s tax rate was 20.3% and 11.4% for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in the Company’s tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 was driven primarily by the impact of discrete tax items and special (gains) and charges.

The Company recognized net tax benefits related to discrete tax items of $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2020. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $23.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. The Company also recognized tax expense related to friction costs associated with ChampionX separation activity of $18.8 million. Additionally, the Company recognized expense of $5.8 million related to foreign and U.S. changes in estimates. The remaining discrete benefit of $3.5 million was due to reserves released during the quarter.

The Company recognized total net benefit related to discrete tax items of $27.7 million in the first quarter of 2019. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $18.7 million. The Company also recognized a $5.1 million benefit due to issuance of technical guidance during the quarter related to the one-time transition tax imposed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). The remaining discrete benefit was primarily related to changes in tax rates in non-U.S. jurisdictions.