INCOME TAXES

The Company’s income tax expense and related effective rates were as follows (in thousands, except percentage data):



	For the 13 Weeks Ended March 30, 2019			For the 13 Weeks Ended March 31, 2018
Income tax (benefit) expense	$	9,608		$	6,645
Effective tax rate	(446.1		)%	(16.3		)%

The higher effective tax rate in the First Quarter as compared to the Prior Year Quarter was primarily due to a higher level of foreign income which increased the tax expense in the numerator and lowered the overall pre-tax loss in the denominator of the effective tax rate computation. Since 2018, no tax benefit has been accrued on the U.S. net operating losses (“NOLs”) due to the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law in 2017, whereby certain foreign income inclusions absorb the U.S. NOL, eliminating the availability of any future tax benefit.

As of March 30, 2019, the Company's total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, was $39.7 million, which would favorably impact the effective tax rate in future periods, if recognized. The Company is subject to examinations in various state and foreign jurisdictions for its 2011-2018 tax years, none of which the Company believes are significant, individually or in the aggregate. Tax audit outcomes and timing of tax audit settlements are subject to significant uncertainty.

The Company has classified uncertain tax positions as long-term income taxes payable, unless such amounts are expected to be settled within twelve months of the condensed consolidated balance sheet date. As of March 30, 2019, the Company had recorded $17.8 million of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for positions that are expected to be settled within the next twelve months. Consistent with its past practice, the Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to income tax overpayments and income tax underpayments in income tax expense and income taxes receivable/payable. At March 30, 2019, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included in the condensed consolidated balance sheets was $4.7 million and $1.0 million, respectively. For the First Quarter, the Company accrued income tax related interest expense of $1.0 million.