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INCOME TAXES
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
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 and six months ended June 30, 2025 were 18.9% and 18.1%, respectively, compared to 20.9% and 19.7% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, respectively. The Company's 2025 and 2024 effective tax rates differ 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, U.S. federal and state tax associated with the Company's international earnings, and certain non-deductible expenses.

The Company's effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 were lower than the effective tax rates for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to certain higher discrete tax benefits, certain lower non-deductible expenses, and lower international tax rates, partially offset by a decrease in the benefit of the Netherlands Innovation Box Tax and higher U.S. federal and state tax associated with the Company's international earnings.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, 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 and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 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 June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was $237 million and $260 million, respectively. As of June 30, 2025, net unrecognized tax benefits of $226 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. As of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, total gross interest and penalties accrued was $3 million and $6 million, respectively. The decrease in unrecognized tax benefits primarily relates to the settlement by Booking.com of certain Italian tax matters (see Note 13). The majority of unrecognized tax benefits are included in "Other assets, net" in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2025. It is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could change over the next twelve months.