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INCOME TAXES
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
NOTE 2—INCOME TAXES
At the end of each interim period, the Company estimates the annual effective income tax rate and applies that rate to its ordinary year-to-date earnings or loss. The income tax provision or benefit related to significant, unusual, or extraordinary items, if applicable, that will be separately reported or reported net of their related tax effects, is individually computed and recognized in the interim period in which it occurs. In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates, tax status, judgment on the realizability of beginning-of-the-year deferred tax assets in future years or unrecognized tax benefits is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs.
The computation of the estimated annual effective income tax rate at each interim period requires certain estimates and assumptions including, but not limited to, the expected pre-tax income (or loss) for the year, projections of the proportion of income (and/or loss) earned and taxed in foreign jurisdictions, permanent and temporary differences, and the likelihood of the realization of deferred tax assets generated in the current year. The accounting estimates used to compute the provision or benefit for income taxes may change as new events occur, more experience is acquired, additional information is obtained or our tax environment changes. To the extent that the estimated annual effective income tax rate changes during a quarter, the effect of the change on prior quarters is included in the income tax provision in the quarter in which the change occurs.
For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6.9 million and $17.7 million, respectively. The effective tax rates in both three-month periods benefited from excess tax benefits generated by the exercise and vesting of stock-based awards. In addition, the 2022 period benefited from a lower tax rate on U.S. income derived from foreign sources.
Match Group is routinely under audit by federal, state, local and foreign authorities in the area of income tax. These audits include a review of the timing and amount of income and deductions, and the allocation of such income and deductions among various tax jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has substantially completed its audit of the Company’s federal income tax returns for the years ended December 31, 2013 through 2017 and has begun its audit of the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019. The statute of limitations for the years 2013 to 2019 has been extended to December 31, 2023. We are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations for years prior to 2013. Returns filed in various other jurisdictions are open to examination for tax years beginning with 2014. Although we believe that we have adequately reserved for our uncertain tax positions, the final tax outcome of these matters may vary significantly from our estimates.
At both March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, were $51.7 million and $51.8 million, respectively. If unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2022 are subsequently recognized, income tax expense would be reduced by $45.8 million, net of related deferred tax assets and interest. The comparable amount as of December 31, 2021 was $46.0 million. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that its unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by $1.2 million by March 31, 2023 due to settlements and expirations of statutes of limitations, all of which would reduce the income tax provision.
The Company recognizes interest and, if applicable, penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax provision. Accruals of interest and penalties for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021 were not material. At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, noncurrent income taxes payable includes accrued interest and penalties of $1.2 million and $1.5 million, respectively.