INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2022

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021, was 24.1% and 24.3%, respectively, and 23.6% and 23.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2022 and 2021. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to the prior year being negatively impacted by clarifying regulations related to tax reform, which was offset by lower tax benefits from stock-based compensation in the current quarter. The increase in the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2022 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2021 was primarily due to lower tax benefits from stock-based compensation and a reduction in certain tax credits.

Balchem will continue to evaluate and analyze the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that was enacted on December 22, 2017 and the additional guidance that has been issued, and may be issued, by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and/or the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") regarding this act.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are

measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability and would establish a valuation allowance if it believed that such assets may not be recovered, taking into consideration historical operating results, expectations of future earnings, changes in its operations and the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences.

The Company accounts for uncertainty in income taxes utilizing ASC 740-10, "Income Taxes". ASC 740-10 clarifies whether or not to recognize assets or liabilities for tax positions taken that may be challenged by a tax authority. It prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken. This interpretation also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, and disclosures. The application of ASC 740-10 requires judgment related to the uncertainty in income taxes and could impact our effective tax rate.

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and in various states and foreign countries. As of June 30, 2022, in the major jurisdictions where the Company operates, it is generally no longer subject to income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2017. As of June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had approximately $5,902 and $5,881, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits, which are included in "Other long-term obligations" on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company includes interest expense or income as well as potential penalties on unrecognized tax positions as a component of "Income tax expense" in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. The total amounts of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions at June 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 were approximately $2,214 and $2,106, respectively, and are included in "Other long-term obligations."