Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

The Company’s effective income tax rate is calculated as the amount of income tax expense (benefit) divided by income from continuing operations before income taxes. For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company’s effective income tax rates were as follows:



	2020	2019
Three months ended March 31,	15.4%	32.1%

The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 was below the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% due to impairment charges, exploration expenses in certain foreign jurisdictions in which no income tax benefit is available, as well as no tax benefit available from the pre-tax loss of the noncontrolling interest in MP GOM.

The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019 was above the statutory tax rate primarily due to income generated in Canada, which has a higher tax rate, combined with exploration expenses in certain foreign jurisdictions in which no income tax benefit is available.

The Company’s tax returns in multiple jurisdictions are subject to audit by taxing authorities. These audits often take multiple years to complete and settle. Although the Company believes that recorded liabilities for unsettled issues are adequate, additional gains or losses could occur in future years from resolution of outstanding unsettled matters. As of March 31, 2020, the earliest years remaining open for audit and/or settlement in our major taxing jurisdictions are as follows: United States – 2016; Canada – 2015; Malaysia – 2013; and United Kingdom – 2018. Following the divestment of Malaysia, the Company has retained certain possible liabilities and rights to income tax receivables relating to Malaysia for the years prior to 2019. The Company believes current recorded liabilities are adequate.