INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	13. INCOME TAXES The Company’s tax rate was 9.5% and 20.4% for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 12.4% and 16.4% for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in the Company’s tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of 2020 compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2019 was driven primarily by the impact of discrete tax items and special (gains) and charges. Further information related to special (gains) and charges is included in Note 2. The Company recognized net tax benefits related to discrete tax items of $22.5 million and $44.4 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $23.3 million and $45.6 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2020. Additionally, the Company recognized expense of $0.6 million and $4.5 million primarily related to the filing of prior year foreign tax returns and other income tax adjustments in the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively. The remaining discrete expense of $0.2 million and benefit of $3.3 million was due to the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions offset by reserves released during the quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively. The Company recognized net tax expense related to discrete tax items of $1.2 million and net benefits of $26.2 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $13.0 million and $31.5 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. The Company also recognized expense of $6.2 million and $1.1 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, due to issuance of technical guidance during the respective quarters related to the one-time transition tax imposed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). Additionally, the Company recognized expense of $10.2 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019 due to issuance of technical guidance during the quarter related to the calculation of foreign tax credits. The remaining discrete benefit was primarily related to changes in tax rates and changes in estimates in non-U.S. jurisdictions.

INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2020

13. INCOME TAXES

The Company’s tax rate was 9.5% and 20.4% for the second quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively, and 12.4% and 16.4% for the first six months of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change in the Company’s tax rate for the second quarter and first six months of 2020 compared to the second quarter and first six months of 2019 was driven primarily by the impact of discrete tax items and special (gains) and charges. Further information related to special (gains) and charges is included in Note 2.

The Company recognized net tax benefits related to discrete tax items of $22.5 million and $44.4 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $23.3 million and $45.6 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2020. Additionally, the Company recognized expense of $0.6 million and $4.5 million primarily related to the filing of prior year foreign tax returns and other income tax adjustments in the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively. The remaining discrete expense of $0.2 million and benefit of $3.3 million was due to the accrual of interest on uncertain tax positions offset by reserves released during the quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively.

The Company recognized net tax expense related to discrete tax items of $1.2 million and net benefits of $26.2 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. Share-based compensation excess tax benefit contributed $13.0 million and $31.5 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively. The Company also recognized expense of $6.2 million and $1.1 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019, respectively, due to issuance of technical guidance during the respective quarters related to the one-time transition tax imposed by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). Additionally, the Company recognized expense of $10.2 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2019 due to issuance of technical guidance during the quarter related to the calculation of foreign tax credits. The remaining discrete benefit was primarily related to changes in tax rates and changes in estimates in non-U.S. jurisdictions.