XML 27 R19.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.3
Income Taxes
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

9. INCOME TAXES

The determination of the annual effective tax rate is based upon a number of significant estimates and judgments, including the estimated annual pretax income in each tax jurisdiction in which we operate and the ongoing development of tax planning strategies during the year. In addition, our provision for income taxes can be impacted by changes in tax rates or laws, the finalization of tax audits and reviews, as well as other factors that cannot be predicted with certainty. As such, there can be significant volatility in interim tax provisions.

The following is a summary of our provision for income taxes and effective tax rate:

 

 

For the Quarter Ended September 30,

 

 

For the Year to Date Ended September 30,

 

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

 

2024

 

 

2023

 

Pretax income

 

$

52,362

 

 

$

48,088

 

 

$

158,227

 

 

$

169,744

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

14,107

 

 

$

6,781

 

 

$

42,101

 

 

$

39,280

 

Effective rate

 

 

26.9

%

 

 

14.1

%

 

 

26.6

%

 

 

23.1

%

The effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2024 reflects federal tax credits claimed for the 2023 tax return, which decreased the effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date by 0.4% and 0.1%, respectively. Additionally, the tax effect of stock-based compensation and the release of previously recorded tax reserves reduced the effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2024 by 0.2% and 1.4%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2023 was primarily impacted by a $4.5 million favorable discrete adjustment related to the recognition of the tax benefits associated with a previously disclosed prior year ordinary loss attributable to the stock of a worthless subsidiary, which decreased the effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date by 9.3% and 2.6%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2023 reflects federal and state tax credits claimed for the 2022 tax return, which decreased the effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date by 0.6% and 0.2%, respectively. Additionally, the tax effect of stock-based compensation and the release of other previously recorded tax reserves reduced the effective tax rate for the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2023 by 0.2% and 0.6%, respectively. As of September 30, 2024, a valuation allowance of $13.9 million was maintained with respect to our equity investment and state net operating losses.

We estimate that it is reasonably possible that the gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits for a variety of uncertain tax positions will decrease by up to $2.1 million in the next twelve months as a result of the expiration of the statute of limitations in several jurisdictions. The income tax rate for the quarter and year to date ended September 30, 2024 does not take into account the possible reduction of the liability for unrecognized tax benefits. The impact of a reduction to the liability will be treated as a discrete item in the period the reduction occurs. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense. As of September 30, 2024, we had accrued $4.3 million as an estimate for reasonably possible interest and accrued penalties.

Our tax returns are routinely examined by federal, state and local tax authorities and these audits are at various stages of completion at any given time. The Company’s federal income tax filings are open to examinations for the tax years ended December 31, 2021 and forward.