	Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
	September 30,						September 30,
	2019			2018			2019			2018
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	$	106.7		$	80.6		$	239.6		$	195.3
Income tax expense		16.0			16.4			48.8			42.3
Effective tax rate		15.0	%		20.3	%		20.4	%		21.7	%

The decreases in the effective tax rates for the third quarter and first nine months of 2019, as compared to the same periods in 2018, were largely driven by our $25.5 million share of WAVE’s gain on sale of its European and Pacific Rim businesses in the third quarter of 2019. Although our share of WAVE’s gain on sale increased earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, the Sale resulted in an overall capital loss for us.

As of September 30, 2019, Income taxes receivable on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet includes $28.0 million of previously paid income taxes we expect to be refunded in 2020 as a result of the overall capital loss on the Sale. Taxes were paid for the 2018 tax year as the gross proceeds for the sale of our EMEA and Pacific Rim businesses were received in 2018, which generated a capital gain for that tax year.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months. However, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible outcomes cannot be reliably made at this time. Changes to unrecognized tax benefits could result from the completion of ongoing examinations, the expiration of statutes of limitations or other unforeseen circumstances.