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Income Taxes (Notes)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
10. INCOME TAXES

We adjust our effective tax rate each quarter based on our estimated annual effective tax rate. We 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 was expense of $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020, an effective income tax rate of (0.7)%, as compared to a benefit of $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019, an effective income tax rate of (7.8)%.

During the three months ended March 31, 2020, we recognized a net tax benefit of approximately $7.5 million related to our ability to carry back losses from prior years under the CARES Act. Additionally, we expect to recognize a net tax benefit of approximately $10.1 million during 2020 related to our ability to carry back projected current year losses under the CARES Act. This current year tax benefit is included as part of our overall effective tax rate, and will be recognized throughout the year. The income tax benefits noted above are the result of our ability to carry back losses to tax years with the higher 35% corporate income tax rate that existed prior to the TCJA. See Note 1 - Organization and Basis of Presentation for additional detail regarding the CARES Act.

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 varies from our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019, primarily as a result of the impact of the goodwill impairment charge recorded during the first quarter of 2020, which had no corresponding income tax benefit, and as a result of the net income tax benefit recognized under the CARES Act. In addition, in the first quarter of 2019, we recognized an income tax benefit of $9.3 million related to final regulations issued by the Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service in the first quarter of 2019. The final regulations changed the manner in which we were required to compute the one-time transition tax under the TCJA that was imposed on certain foreign earnings for which U.S. income tax was previously deferred.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, our effective income tax rates vary from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to favorable foreign tax rates, the impact of tax credits, and the effect of the discrete items described above.

We review the likelihood that we will realize the benefit of deferred tax assets and estimate whether recoverability of our deferred tax assets is "more likely than not." If, based upon available evidence, it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance is recorded. Due to the uncertainty associated with the extent and ultimate impact of COVID-19 on global automotive production volumes, we may experience lower than projected earnings in certain jurisdictions in future periods, and we believe that it is reasonably possible that additional valuation allowances could be recognized in the next twelve months as a result.
We operate in multiple jurisdictions throughout the world and the income tax returns of several subsidiaries in various tax jurisdictions are currently under examination. We are currently under a U.S. federal income tax examination for the years 2015 through 2017. Generally, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2013. During the next 12 months, we may finalize an advance pricing agreement in a foreign jurisdiction, which would result in a cash payment to the relevant tax authorities and a reduction of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits and related interest and penalties. Although it is difficult to estimate with certainty the amount of any audit settlement, we do not expect any potential settlement to be materially different from what we have recorded in unrecognized tax benefits. Based on the status of ongoing tax audits, and the protocol of finalizing audits by the relevant tax authorities, it is not possible to estimate the impact of changes, if any, to previously recorded uncertain tax positions.We will continue to monitor the progress and conclusions of all ongoing audits and other communications with tax authorities, and will adjust our estimated liability as necessary. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, we have recorded a liability for unrecognized income tax benefits and related interest and penalties of $47.5 million and $52.6 million, respectively.