Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2022

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were 24.1% and 23.8%, respectively. Our effective tax rates were higher than the United States federal statutory rate of 21.0% due primarily to state income taxes and higher taxes on earnings in foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by excess tax benefits on the settlement of employee share-based compensation and tax benefits related to research and development activities.

As of March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, we had approximately $13,347,000 and $12,664,000, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefits. Of these amounts, approximately $1,385,000 and $1,250,000, respectively, related to accrued interest. In the future, if recognized, the liability associated with uncertain tax positions would affect our effective tax rate. We do not believe there will be any changes to our unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months that would have a material effect on our effective tax rate.

We are currently under audit in various jurisdictions for tax years 2015 through 2019. Although the timing of the resolutions and/or closures of audits is highly uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the examination phase of these audits may be concluded within the next 12 months, which could increase or decrease the balance of our gross unrecognized tax benefits. However, based on the status of the various examinations in multiple jurisdictions, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible outcomes cannot be made at this time, but the estimated effect on our income tax expense and net earnings is not expected to be significant.