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INCOME TAXES
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
 
Income tax expense consists of U.S. and international income taxes, determined using an estimate of the Company's annual effective tax rate, which is based upon the applicable tax rates and tax laws of the countries in which the income is generated. A deferred tax liability is recognized for all taxable temporary differences, and a deferred tax asset is recognized for all deductible temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The Company considers many factors when assessing the likelihood of future realization of the deferred tax assets, including its recent cumulative earnings experience by taxing jurisdiction, expectations of future income, tax planning strategies, the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, and other relevant factors.

The Company's effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 were 17.1% and 12.4%, respectively. The Company's 2024 effective tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the benefit of the Netherlands Innovation Box Tax (discussed below), partially offset by higher international tax rates, certain non-deductible expenses, and U.S. federal and state tax associated with the Company’s international earnings. The Company's 2023 effective tax rate differed from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21%, primarily due to the benefit of the Netherlands Innovation Box Tax, partially offset by higher international tax rates and certain non-deductible expenses.

The Company's effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was higher than the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023, primarily due to certain lower discrete tax benefits, higher U.S. federal and state tax
associated with the Company’s international earnings, and a decrease in the benefit of the Netherlands Innovation Box Tax, partially offset by certain lower non-deductible expenses.
During the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, a majority of the Company's income was reported in the Netherlands, where Booking.com is based. According to Dutch corporate income tax law, income generated from qualifying innovative activities is taxed at a rate of 9% ("Innovation Box Tax") rather than the Dutch statutory rate of 25.8%. A portion of Booking.com's earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 qualified for Innovation Box Tax treatment, which had a beneficial impact on the Company's effective tax rates for these periods.

The aggregate amount of unrecognized tax benefits for all matters at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $68 million and $67 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2024, net unrecognized tax benefits of $48 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, total gross interest and penalties accrued was $7 million. The majority of unrecognized tax benefits are included in "Other assets, net" and "Other long-term liabilities" in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2024. It is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could change over the next 12 months.