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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

(7) Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense at an effective rate of 90.2% for three months ended March 31, 2020, as compared to an effective rate of 42.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2019. The 2020 rate was unfavorably impacted by low pre-tax earnings due partly to restructuring costs recorded in the first quarter of 2020. In certain countries in which we recorded restructuring costs, we did not recognize a corresponding tax benefit due to the recognition of valuation allowances against anticipated tax losses. In addition, the French business tax had a more significant unfavorable impact in the quarter due to French pre-tax earnings decreasing at a greater rate than revenues, which is the primary basis for the tax calculation. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by a discrete favorable benefit in the quarter resulting from the successful appeal of a non-United States tax ruling. The 90.2% effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2020 was higher than the United States Federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to the restructuring costs recorded in the first quarter of 2020, the French business tax and overall mix of earnings.  

As of March 31, 2020, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $70.0 that would favorably impact the effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2019, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $69.5. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.

We conduct business globally in various countries and territories. We are routinely audited by the tax authorities of the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Generally, the tax years that could be subject to examination are 2013 through 2020 for our major operations in France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States. As of March 31, 2020, we are subject to tax audits in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Israel and the United States. We believe that the resolution of these audits will not have a material impact on earnings.