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INCOME TAX
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAX INCOME TAX

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was a benefit of 18.7%, and our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 was 10.1%. Our effective income tax rates for those periods differed from the U.S. statutory rate primarily as a result of:

the reduction of our U.S. deferred tax liability resulting from the effect of the Merger on the apportionment of income among the states;
excess tax benefits of share-based awards that are recognized upon vesting or settlement;
the U.S. tax benefits associated with income derived from foreign sources; and
the recognition of the benefit of uncertain tax positions due to the effective settlement of the positions.

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was a benefit of 3.4%, and our effective income tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was 10.4%. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we reduced our estimated transition tax liability associated with the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 by $23.3 million, which was the primary reason our effective income tax rates for those periods differed from the U.S. statutory rate.

We conduct business globally and file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. In the normal course of business, we are subject to examination by taxing authorities around the world, including, without limitation, the United States and the United Kingdom. We are no longer subject to state income tax examinations for years ended on or before May 31, 2010, U.S. federal income tax examinations for years ended on or before May 31, 2016 and U.K. federal income tax examinations for years ended on or before May 31, 2015.