INCOME TAXES |
3 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Mar. 31, 2020 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| INCOME TAXES | INCOME TAXES Income tax expense is provided on an interim basis based on management’s estimate of the annual effective income tax rate and includes the tax effects of certain discrete items, such as changes in tax laws or tax rates or other unusual or non-recurring tax adjustments in the interim period in which they occur. In addition, results from jurisdictions projecting a loss for the year where no tax benefit can be recognized are treated discretely in the interim period in which they occur. The effective tax rate is highly dependent on the geographic distribution of the Company’s worldwide earnings or losses and tax regulations in each jurisdiction. Management regularly monitors the assumptions used in estimating its annual effective tax rate and adjusts estimates accordingly, including the realizability of deferred tax assets. Volatility in earnings within a taxing jurisdiction could result in a determination that additional valuation allowance adjustments may be warranted. Income tax benefit related to continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $55 million, and income tax expense related to continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was $38 million. The tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is primarily due to an overall pretax loss. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 is materially consistent with the U.S. statutory rate of 21%. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was higher than the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to an unfavorable earnings mix associated with pretax losses in certain jurisdictions. As a global enterprise, the Company files income tax returns that are subject to periodic examination and challenge by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. In many jurisdictions, income tax examinations, including settlement negotiations or litigation, may take several years to finalize. The Company is currently under examination or litigation in various locations throughout the world. While it is difficult to predict the outcome or timing of resolution of any particular matter, management believes that the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized.
|