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Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
The components of income before income taxes by U.S. and foreign jurisdictions were as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 202220212020
United States$173 $152 $13 
Foreign226 97 137 
Total$399 $249 $150 

The provision for income taxes consists of the following (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 202220212020
Current provision:
Federal$— $— $— 
State13 — 
Foreign46 52 53 
59 53 53 
Deferred provision:
Federal(1)(3)(5)
State(1)(3)(1)
Foreign17 (28)(16)
15 (34)(22)
Provision for income taxes$74 $19 $31 


The effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate applied to the income before income taxes due to the following (in millions):     
 Year Ended December 31,
 202220212020
Tax computed at U.S. federal statutory rate$84 $53 $31 
State taxes, net of federal benefit10 — — 
U.S. tax on foreign earnings96 — — 
Tax rate differential for international subsidiaries18 
Stock-based compensation(160)(157)
Executive compensation22 23 25 
Tax credits(70)(76)(64)
Other
Valuation allowance(100)169 184 
Provision for income taxes$74 $19 $31 

Significant components of our deferred tax assets are shown below (in millions). A valuation allowance has been recognized to offset our deferred tax assets, as necessary, by the amount of any tax benefits that, based on evidence, are not expected to be realized.
 December 31,
 20222021
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards$605 $1,061 
Credit carryforwards388 318 
Lease liability178 152 
Capitalized research and development262 — 
Depreciation and amortization553 587 
Other159 126 
Total deferred tax assets2,145 2,244 
Less valuation allowance(1,228)(1,326)
917 918 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Right of use asset(162)(141)
Other(129)(94)
Net deferred tax assets$626 $683 

The unremitted earnings of our foreign subsidiaries are not considered indefinitely reinvested, except in certain designated jurisdictions in which the resident entity is a service provider that is not expected to generate substantial amounts of cash in excess of what may be reinvested by the local entity. We have not provided for state income or withholding taxes on the undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, which are considered indefinitely invested outside of the U.S. The amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability on these undistributed earnings is not material as of December 31, 2022.

As of December 31, 2022, we had U.S. federal net operating loss and federal tax credit carryforwards of approximately $2.0 billion and $313 million, respectively. The federal tax credits will begin to expire in 2024 if not utilized. In addition, as of December 31, 2022, we had state net operating loss and state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $1.5 billion and $229 million, respectively. The state net operating loss will begin to expire in 2023 if not utilized; however, the tax-effected amount due to expire in 2023 is immaterial. State tax credits and a portion of the federal net operating loss carryforwards can be carried forward indefinitely. Utilization of our net operating loss and credit carryforwards may be subject to annual limitation due to the ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. Such an annual limitation could result in the expiration of the net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards before utilization.
 
We maintain a full valuation allowance against our U.S. deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2022. We regularly assess the need for a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. In making that assessment, we consider both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Due to cumulative losses in the U.S. during the prior three years, including tax deductible stock compensation, and based on all available positive and negative evidence, we have determined that it is more likely than not that our U.S. deferred tax assets will not be realized as of December 31, 2022. However, given our current earnings and anticipated future earnings, we believe that there is a reasonable possibility that within the next 12 months, sufficient positive evidence may become available to allow us to reach a conclusion that the U.S. valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of the valuation allowance would result in the recognition of material U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets and a corresponding decrease to income tax expense for the period the release is recorded. The exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance release are subject to change on the basis of the level of sustained U.S. profitability that the Company is able to actually achieve, as well as the amount of tax deductible stock compensation dependent upon our publicly traded share price, foreign currency movements and macroeconomic conditions, among other factors.

The $98 million decrease in the 2022 valuation allowance was primarily attributable to a decrease in deferred tax assets related to the utilization of net operating losses. The $197 million increase in the 2021 valuation allowance was primarily attributable to an increase in deferred tax assets related to net operating losses and R&D tax credits partially offset by a valuation allowance release related to Lightstep, Inc. acquired deferred tax liabilities. The $210 million increase in the 2020 valuation allowance was primarily attributable to an increase in deferred tax assets related to net operating losses.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of total unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):
 Year Ended December 31,
 202220212020
Balance, beginning period$124 $81 $37 
Tax positions taken in prior period:
Gross increases— 
Gross decreases(1)— (1)
Tax positions taken in current period:
Gross increases38 38 39 
Lapse of statute of limitations— — — 
Settlements(2)— — 
Balance, end of period$159 $124 $81 
 
As of December 31, 2022, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $159 million, of which $31 million would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties included in our liability related to unrecognized tax benefits were $5 million and $4 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced upon expiration of the applicable statutes of limitations. The potential reduction in unrecognized tax benefits during the next 12 months is not expected to be material. Interest and penalties accrued on these uncertain tax positions are recognized as income tax expense and will be released upon the expiration of the statutes of limitations. These amounts are also not material for any periods presented.
 
We are subject to taxation in the United States and foreign jurisdictions. As of December 31, 2022, our tax years 2004 to 2021 remain subject to examination in most jurisdictions.
 
There are differing interpretations of tax laws and regulations, and as a result, disputes may arise with tax authorities involving issues of the timing and amount of deductions and allocations of income among various tax jurisdictions. We periodically evaluate our exposures associated with our tax filing positions. We believe that adequate amounts have been reserved for any adjustments that may ultimately result from these examinations, and we do not anticipate a significant impact to our gross unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months related to these years. Although the timing of the resolution, settlement and closure of any audit is highly uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months. However, given the number of years that remain subject to examination, we are unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits.