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INCOME TAXES
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES
NOTE 12. INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 included a net $0.6 million tax benefit, primarily associated with stock-based compensation and U.S. Federal tax credits purchased at a discount, partially offset by an expense from prior year tax positions and a change in tax contingencies. Excluding these items, the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2024 of 25.8% was higher than the 21.0% U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income tax and foreign income inclusions, partially offset by favorable permanent salt depletion deductions. The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2023 included a net $12.0 million tax benefit, primarily associated with stock-based compensation, and prior year tax positions, partially offset by an expense from a net increase in the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets in foreign jurisdictions and from a change in tax contingencies. Excluding these items, the effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2023 of 25.4% was higher than the 21.0% U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income tax and an increase in the valuation allowance related to losses in foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by favorable permanent salt depletion deductions.
The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 included a net $3.3 million tax benefit, primarily associated with stock-based compensation and U.S. Federal tax credits purchased at a discount, partially offset by an expense from prior year tax positions and a change in tax contingencies. Excluding these items, the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2024 of 25.6% was higher than the 21.0% U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income tax and foreign income inclusions, partially offset by favorable permanent salt depletion deductions. The effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2023 included a net $17.2 million tax benefit, primarily associated with stock-based compensation, remeasurement of deferred taxes due to a decrease in our state effective tax rates and prior year tax positions, partially offset by an expense from a net increase in the valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets in foreign
jurisdictions and from a change in tax contingencies. Excluding these items, the effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2023 of 24.5% was higher than the 21.0% U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to state income tax and an increase in the valuation allowance related to losses in foreign jurisdictions, partially offset by favorable permanent salt depletion deductions.
In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (the "IRA") was enacted and provides various beneficial credits for energy efficient related manufacturing, transportation and fuels, hydrogen/carbon recapture and renewable energy, which we are evaluating in regard to planned projects. We will continue to monitor the expected impacts of any new guidance on our filing positions and will record the impacts as discrete income tax expense adjustments in the period the guidance is finalized or becomes effective.
As of June 30, 2024, we had $51.2 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, which would have a net $51.4 million impact on the effective tax rate, if recognized. As of June 30, 2023, we had $58.7 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $56.8 million would have impacted the effective tax rate, if recognized. The amounts of unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:
Six Months Ended June 30,
 20242023
Unrecognized Tax Benefits($ in millions)
Balance at beginning of year$50.3 $51.6 
Increases for prior year tax positions2.7 1.3 
Decreases for prior year tax positions(0.4)(0.3)
Increases for current year tax positions0.7 5.4 
Decreases due to tax settlements(1.0)— 
Foreign currency translation adjustments(1.1)0.7 
Balance at end of period$51.2 $58.7 
As of June 30, 2024, we believe it is reasonably possible that our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by approximately $36.3 million over the next twelve months. The anticipated reduction primarily relates to expected settlements with tax authorities and the expiration of federal, state and foreign statutes of limitation.
We operate globally and file income tax returns in numerous jurisdictions. Our tax returns are subject to examination by various federal, state and local tax authorities. Additionally, examinations are ongoing in various states and foreign jurisdictions. We believe we have adequately provided for all tax positions; however, amounts asserted by taxing authorities could be greater than our accrued position.
For our primary tax jurisdictions, the tax years that remain subject to examination are as follows:
Tax Years
U.S. federal income tax2020 - 2023
U.S. state income tax2012 - 2023
Canadian federal income tax2017 - 2023
Brazil2017 - 2023
Germany2015 - 2023
China2014 - 2023
The Netherlands2017 - 2023