
10.	INCOME TAXES

We are required to adjust our effective tax rate each quarter to estimate our annual effective tax rate. We must also record the tax impact of certain discrete, unusual or infrequently occurring items, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter, based upon the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

Income tax expense was $7.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to $15.3 million in the three months ended March 31, 2016. Our effective income tax rate was 8.7% in the first quarter of 2017 as compared to 20.0% in the first quarter of 2016. Our income tax expense and effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 are lower than our income tax expense and effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 primarily as a result of favorable foreign tax rates, as well as a benefit in the U.S. for 2017 based on higher forecasted annual interest expense attributable to the first quarter of 2017 resulting from the issuance of our $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.25% senior notes and $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior notes on March 23, 2017. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily as a result of the impact of these factors, which was partially offset by our inability to realize a tax benefit for current foreign losses.

Based on the status of audits outside the U.S., and the protocol of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities, it is not possible to estimate the timing or impact of changes, if any, to previously recorded uncertain tax positions. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we have recorded a liability for unrecognized income tax benefits and related interest and penalties of $38.5 million and $30.7 million, respectively. In January 2016, we completed negotiations with the Mexican tax authorities to settle transfer pricing audits. Including these settlements, we made payments of $26.1 million in the first three months of 2016 to the Mexican tax authorities related to transfer pricing matters.

Although it is difficult to estimate with certainty the amount of our tax liabilities for the years that remain subject to audit, we do not expect the settlements will be materially different from what we have recorded in unrecognized tax benefits. We will continue to monitor the progress and conclusions of current and future audits and will adjust our estimated liability as necessary.