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INCOME TAXES
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
During 2020 and 2021, we completed intra-entity transfers of certain intellectual property rights primarily to align with current and future international operations. These transactions were executed using transfer pricing guidelines issued by the relevant taxing authorities. Significant estimates and assumptions were required to compute the valuation of this transaction. These estimates and assumptions include, but are not limited to, estimated future revenue growth and discount rates, which by their nature are inherently uncertain, and, therefore, may ultimately differ materially from our actual results.

We have recorded certain tax reserves to address potential differences involving our income tax positions. These potential tax liabilities result from the varying application of statutes, rules, regulations and interpretations by different taxing jurisdictions. While our tax position is not uncertain, because of the significant estimates used in the value of certain intellectual property rights, our tax reserves contain assumptions based on past experiences and judgments about the interpretation of statutes, rules and regulations by taxing jurisdictions. It is possible that the costs of the ultimate tax liability or benefit from these matters may be materially more or less than the amount that we estimated.

In order to support and sustain the amortizable tax basis (and associated deferred tax asset, net of uncertain tax position), we must demonstrate economic ownership, including the appropriate authority and expertise to manage the intellectual property owned and serviced in the Netherlands. The determination of economic substance is a judgment that has to be evaluated by management on a continual basis requiring understanding and expertise of local laws of each associated tax jurisdiction. The Netherlands subsidiary serves as the principal Crocs corporate headquarters outside of the U.S. and already performs significant functions in support of the economic ownership of the intellectual property in the Netherlands. In 2021 and 2022, we undertook many additional activities to align business operations that support the economic substance of the intellectual property in the Netherlands. As of December 31, 2022, the net deferred tax asset related to the 2020 transfer is $401.2 million and to the 2021 transfer is $37.3 million.
The following table sets forth income before taxes and the expense for income taxes:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202220212020
 (in thousands)
Income before taxes:   
U.S. $312,501 $510,706 $133,574 
Foreign406,007 153,143 73,405 
Total income before taxes$718,508 $663,849 $206,979 
Income tax expense (benefit):   
Current income taxes:   
U.S. federal$76,092 $94,548 $698 
U.S. state19,257 28,460 6,577 
Foreign87,760 56,430 211,904 
Total current income taxes183,109 179,438 219,179 
Deferred income taxes:   
U.S. federal(12,032)791 529 
U.S. state861 32 (2,381)
Foreign6,411 (242,106)(323,209)
Total deferred income taxes(4,760)(241,283)(325,061)
Total income tax expense (benefit)
$178,349 $(61,845)$(105,882)

The following table sets forth income reconciliations of the statutory federal income tax rate to actual rates based on income or loss before income taxes:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202220212020
 (in thousands)
Income tax expense and rate attributable to:
Federal income tax rate$150,887 21.0 %$139,408 21.0 %$43,466 21.0 %
State income tax rate, net of federal benefit
15,981 2.2 %22,952 3.5 %7,231 3.5 %
Foreign income tax rate differential12,405 1.7 %18,890 2.8 %(6,060)(2.9)%
GILTI, net4,834 0.7 %14,157 2.1 %7,515 3.6 %
Non-deductible / non-taxable items3,743 0.5 %9,637 1.5 %6,871 3.3 %
Change in valuation allowance4,414 0.6 %(192,337)(29.0)%143,012 69.0 %
U.S. tax on foreign earnings16,822 2.3 %— — %— — %
Foreign tax credits(28,087)(3.9)%(19,925)(3.0)%(15,904)(7.7)%
Research and development credits(5,488)(0.8)%(13,104)(2.0)%(148)(0.1)%
Uncertain tax positions3,952 0.6 %21,341 3.2 %200,571 96.9 %
Share-based compensation(1,231)(0.2)%(11,930)(1.8)%(1,303)(0.6)%
Intra-Entity IP Transfer— — %(41,858)(6.3)%(492,470)(237.9)%
Enacted changes in tax law— — %(9,554)(1.4)%— — %
Other117 0.1 %478 0.1 %1,337 0.7 %
Effective income tax expense and rate$178,349 24.8 %$(61,845)(9.3)%$(105,882)(51.2)%
Deferred income taxes reflect the net effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The following table sets forth deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of the date shown:
 December 31,
 20222021
 (in thousands)
Non-current deferred tax assets:  
Share-based compensation expense$3,130 $2,706 
Accruals, reserves, and other expenses24,324 24,346 
Net operating loss21,455 24,573 
Intangible assets438,712 502,100 
Foreign tax credit45,746 39,442 
Operating lease liabilities55,624 35,755 
Other25,354 5,811 
Valuation allowance(28,118)(26,467)
Total non-current deferred tax assets$586,227 $608,266 
Non-current deferred tax liabilities:  
Unrealized gain on foreign currency$(1,760)$— 
Property and equipment(2,381)(12,189)
Right-of-use assets(47,641)(28,598)
Intangible assets(307,474)— 
Other(723)(278)
Total non-current deferred tax liabilities$(359,979)$(41,065)

During 2022, valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets increased by $1.7 million. The change in the valuation allowance includes an increase of $4.4 million related to income tax expense and a decrease of $2.7 million that does not impact the tax provision because this amount reflects the cumulative impact of unrecorded tax attributes related to changes in cumulative translation adjustments. During 2021, valuation allowances decreased by $200.2 million. The change in the valuation allowance includes $192.3 million related to income tax benefit and $7.9 million that does not impact the tax provision because this amount reflects the impact of unrecorded tax attributes related to changes in cumulative translation adjustments. 

Our valuation allowances are primarily the result of uncertainties regarding the future realization of tax attributes recorded in various jurisdictions. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon available evidence, it is more likely than not the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We have evaluated the realizability of our deferred tax assets in each jurisdiction by assessing the adequacy of expected taxable income, including the reversal of existing temporary differences, historical and projected operating results and the availability of prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. In assessing our valuation allowance we considered all available evidence, including the magnitude of recent and current operating results, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, our historical experience utilizing tax attributes prior to their expiration dates, the historical volatility of operating results of these jurisdictions and our assessment regarding the sustainability of their profitability. The weight we give to any particular item is, in part, dependent upon the degree to which it can be objectively verified. During the three months ended June 30, 2021, a jurisdiction for which we have historically recorded significant valuation allowances enacted a favorable change in the tax law related to net operating loss carryforwards. The change in tax law impacted the assessment of valuation allowances in the jurisdiction as the reversal of existing deferred tax assets would generate indefinite carryforward net operating losses instead of losses with a limited carryforward period. During 2022, valuation allowances recorded against deferred tax assets increased by $1.7 million.

In certain other jurisdictions, we recorded additional attributes, primarily driven by operational losses recognized based on local tax accounting requirements. These carryforwards were generated in jurisdictions where results indicate it is not more likely than not the deferred tax assets would be realized. We maintain a valuation allowance against the majority of these balances.

During 2021, all U.S. federal tax credit carryforwards were utilized. We have included in the table above deferred tax assets related to U.S. state tax net operating loss carryforwards, some of which expire at various dates beginning in 2033 and some of
which do not expire, of $1.4 million and $2.4 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We have recorded deferred tax assets related to foreign tax carryforwards, including foreign tax credits and net operating losses, which expire starting in 2023 and those which do not expire of $66.4 million and $61.5 million as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We maintain a valuation allowance against a portion of the foreign carryforwards and other attributes.

The transition tax in the Tax Act imposed a tax on undistributed and previously untaxed foreign earnings at various tax rates. This tax largely eliminated the differences between the financial reporting and income tax basis of foreign undistributed earnings. Furthermore, as of December 31, 2022, foreign withholding taxes have not been provided on unremitted earnings of subsidiaries operating outside of the U.S. as these amounts are considered to be indefinitely reinvested.

The following table sets forth a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits:
 Year Ended December 31,
 202220212020
 (in thousands)
Unrecognized tax benefit as of January 1$218,399 $206,209 $4,613 
Additions in tax positions taken in prior period1,697 6,169 519 
Reductions in tax positions taken in prior period(904)(963)(340)
Additions in tax positions taken in current period2,948 23,061 200,947 
Settlements(375)(763)(294)
Lapse of statute of limitations(510)(342)(258)
Current year acquisitions10,426 — — 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment(12,318)(14,972)1,022 
Unrecognized tax benefit as of December 31$219,363 $218,399 $206,209 

We recorded a net expense of $4.0 million related to increases in 2022 unrecognized tax benefits combined with amounts effectively settled under audit. Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2022 relate to tax years that are currently open under the statute of limitation. The primary impact of uncertain tax benefits on the rate reconciliation includes audit settlements, net increases in position changes, and accrued interest expense.

Any settlements or statute of limitations expirations could result in a significant decrease in our uncertain tax positions. Our assessments are based on estimates and assumptions using the best available information to management. However, our estimates of unrecognized tax benefits and potential tax benefits may not be representative of actual outcomes, and any variation from such estimates could materially affect our financial statements in the period of settlement or when the statutes of limitations expire. Finalizing audits with the relevant taxing authorities can include formal administrative and legal proceedings, and, as a result, it is difficult to estimate the timing and range of possible change related to our uncertain tax positions, and such changes could be significant.

Interest and penalties related to income tax liabilities are included in ‘Income tax expense (benefit)’ in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, we recorded approximately $3.8 million, $1.0 million, and $0.6 million, respectively, of penalties and interest. During the year ended December 31, 2022, we released $0.2 million of interest from settlements, lapse of statutes, and change in certainty. The cumulative accrued balance of penalties and interest was $5.6 million, $2.0 million, and $1.2 million, as of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively.

Unrecognized tax benefits of $222.5 million, $218.7 million, and $205.6 million as of December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, if recognized, would reduce the annual effective tax rate offset by deferred tax assets recorded for uncertain tax positions.
The following table sets forth the tax years subject to examination for the major jurisdictions where we conduct business as of December 31, 2022:
The Netherlands2010 to 2022
Canada2014 to 2022
Hong Kong2020 to 2022
Japan2014 to 2022
China2016 to 2022
Singapore2017 to 2022
United States2007 to 2022

U.S state tax returns are generally subject to examination for a period of three to five years after filing of the respective return. The state impact of any federal changes remains subject to examination by various state jurisdictions for a period up to two years after formal notification to the states. As such, U.S. state income tax returns for us are generally subject to examination for the years 2017 to 2022. Although the timing of income tax audit resolutions and negotiations with taxing authorities is highly uncertain, we do not anticipate a significant change in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months.