Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Income Taxes

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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
Income tax provisions for the Company's interim periods are based on the effective income tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. The Company's consolidated income taxes for the six months ended March 31, 2021 were an expense of $4,952, compared to a benefit of $16,463 for the first six months of fiscal 2020. The difference between the Company’s consolidated income taxes for the first six months of fiscal 2021 versus the same period for fiscal 2020 primarily resulted from fiscal 2021 having consolidated pre-tax income while fiscal 2020 had a pre-tax loss. Additionally, fiscal 2021 included discrete tax expenses related to foreign operating losses, discrete tax benefits related to expirations of uncertain tax liabilities, a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryback to tax years where the U.S. federal statutory rate was 35%, and additional foreign tax credits. Fiscal 2020 included discrete tax benefits resulting from the closure of several tax audits. The Company’s fiscal 2021 six-month effective tax rate varied from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to discrete tax expenses related to foreign operating losses, discrete tax benefits related to expirations of uncertain tax liabilities, a NOL carryback to tax years where the U.S. federal statutory rate was 35%, and additional foreign tax credits. Additionally, state taxes, foreign statutory rate differentials, and tax credits all affected the fiscal 2021 effective tax rate. The Company’s fiscal 2020 six-month effective tax rate varied from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21.0% primarily due to state taxes, foreign statutory rate differentials, tax credits, the goodwill write-down, and discrete tax benefits recognized in fiscal 2020.

The Company had unrecognized tax benefits (excluding penalties and interest) of $10,351 and $10,483 on March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively, of which $7,137 and $7,066 would impact the annual effective rate at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $7,606 in the next 12 months primarily due to the completion of audits and the expiration of the statute of limitations.

The Company classifies interest and penalties on tax uncertainties as a component of the provision for income taxes. Total penalties and interest accrued were $2,146 and $2,172 at March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, respectively.  These accruals may potentially be applicable in the event of an unfavorable outcome of uncertain tax positions.

The Company is currently under examination in several tax jurisdictions and remains subject to examination until the statute of limitations expires for those tax jurisdictions.  As of March 31, 2021, the tax years that remain subject to examination by major jurisdiction generally are:

United States – Federal 2017 and forward
United States – State 2016 and forward
Canada 2017 and forward
Germany 2019 and forward
United Kingdom 2019 and forward
Singapore 2017 and forward
Australia 2016 and forward