INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended December 31, 2019 is based on our projected annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2020, adjusted for specific items that are required to be recognized in the period in which they are incurred. The provision for income taxes was $25,134 for the three months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a benefit of $120,098 for the prior year period due primarily to a change in our valuation allowance.

When compared to the statutory rate of 21%, the effective tax rate of 13.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2019 was due primarily to tax benefits of $9,118 as a result of tax credits anticipated to be utilized and $2,638 due to geographic mix of earnings.

The provision for income taxes for the nine months ended December 31, 2019 is based on our projected annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2020, adjusted for specific items that are required to be recognized in the period in which they are incurred. The provision for income taxes was $52,068 for the nine months ended December 31, 2019 as compared to a benefit of $108,750 for the prior year period.

When compared to the statutory rate of 21%, the effective tax rate of 15.6% for the nine months ended December 31, 2019 was due primarily to a tax benefit of $11,641 from changes in unrecognized tax benefits due to audit settlements, a benefit of $15,144 as a result of tax credits anticipated to be utilized, and a benefit of $5,808 from our geographic mix of earnings. To a lesser extent the rate was also affected by excess tax benefits from employee stock-based compensation. These benefits were partially offset by a tax expense of $19,826 from the reversal of net deferred tax benefits relating to the Altera case, discussed below.

On July 27, 2015, the U.S. Tax Court issued an opinion in Altera Corp. v. Commissioner, which concluded that related parties in an intercompany cost-sharing arrangement are not required to share costs related to stock-based compensation. In February 2016, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service appealed the decision to the U.S Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On June 7, 2019, the Ninth Circuit reversed the 2015 decision of the U.S. Tax Court. As a result of this decision, we are no longer reflecting a net tax benefit within our financial statements related to the removal of stock-based compensation from our intercompany cost-sharing arrangement. During the nine months ended December 31, 2019, we removed the deferred tax asset and a deferred tax liability associated with this matter from our financial statements, resulting in a cumulative net discrete income tax expense of $19,826. The taxpayer requested a rehearing before the full Ninth Circuit which was denied on November 12, 2019. The case remains potentially open for judicial review by the U.S. Supreme Court. As a result, the final outcome of the case is uncertain. We will continue to monitor ongoing developments of this matter and potential impacts to our financial statements.

On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, which overturned previous case law that precluded states from requiring retailers to collect and remit sales and use tax collection on sales made to in-state customers unless the retailer had physical presence in the state. Although this case is limited to sales tax collection obligations, we continue to monitor the potential impact of this decision on our state income tax footprint.

On May 19, 2019, a public referendum held in Switzerland approved the Federal Act on Tax Reform and AVH (Old-Age and Survivors Insurance) Financing ("TRAF"), which was effective for us on January 1, 2020. The tax reform abolished preferential tax regimes for holding companies, domicile companies, and mixed companies at the cantonal level. The TRAF allows the cantons to establish transition rules, the implementation of which may be subject to a ruling from the canton. Any deferred tax assets arising from tax basis step-up would be recorded once the cantonal process is complete. As of December 31, 2019, the TRAF did not have a material effect on the Company.

We are regularly examined by domestic and foreign taxing authorities. Examinations may result in tax assessments in excess of amounts claimed and the payment of additional taxes. We believe our tax positions comply with applicable tax law, and that we have adequately provided for reasonably foreseeable tax assessments. It is possible that settlement of audits or the expiration of the statute of limitations may have an impact on our effective tax rate in future periods.