INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

NOTE 14. INCOME TAXES

Our consolidated effective income tax rate was 1.0% and 12.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The rate for 2020 is lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to the lower tax rate on the sale of our BioPharma business. The low tax rate on the sale reflects gain outside the U.S. taxed at lower than 21% and because we recorded $633 million of the tax associated with preparatory steps for the transaction in the fourth quarter of 2019. The rate for 2019 is lower than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to favorable audit resolutions, the benefit of the lower-taxed disposition of our Digital ServiceMax business and U.S. business credits. This was partially offset by the cost of the base erosion and global intangible low tax income provisions in excess of the benefit from other global activities.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently auditing our consolidated U.S. income tax returns for 2014-2015 and 2016-2018. It is possible the 2014-2015 audit will be completed in the next 12 months. The United Kingdom tax authorities disallowed interest deductions claimed by GE Capital for the years 2004-2015 that could result in a potential impact of approximately $1 billion, which includes a possible assessment of tax and reduction of deferred tax assets, not including interest and penalties. We are contesting the disallowance. We comply with all applicable tax laws and judicial doctrines of the United Kingdom and believe that the entire benefit is more likely than not to be sustained on its technical merits.