Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes 

Income tax expense from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024 was $13.4 million and $31.4 million, respectively, compared with $3.5 million and $26.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. The income tax expense increase for the three months ended September 30, 2024, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2023, primarily includes $5.7 million of tax expense related to the net gain from the Reed sale, the increased disallowed interest expense in the U.S. resulting from reduced income, the withholding tax on cash repatriation in certain foreign jurisdictions, as well as a change in the geographical mix of income, partially offset by the tax benefit resulting from an $11.2 million additional forward loss provision recorded for Rail's Network Rail contract. The increase in income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2023, primarily includes $5.7 million of tax expense related to the net gain from the Reed sale, the increased disallowed interest expense in the U.S. resulting from reduced income, the withholding tax on cash repatriation in certain foreign jurisdictions, as well as a change in the geographical mix of income, partially offset by the net tax benefit resulting from the year-over-year change in the forward loss provision recorded for Rail's Network Rail contract of $36.8 million and a $3.7 million valuation allowance for a deferred tax asset in a certain foreign jurisdiction in 2023, not recurring in 2024.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Company calculated its quarterly tax provision based on its best estimate of the full year tax rate applicable to the quarter. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, due to the insignificant amount of pre-tax book loss relative to the size of permanent book-tax differences and a varying net income (loss) pattern projected for the year, the Company’s tax provision estimate was determined using an actual year-to-date method.

The reserve for uncertain tax positions on September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $3.6 million and $3.4 million, respectively, including interest and penalties. Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that $0.6 million in unrecognized income tax benefits will be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations.