this program for an aggregate of $12 million. Following their repurchase, these 200,000 shares ceased to be outstanding shares of common stock and are now treated as authorized but unissued shares of common stock.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock.
Stock Compensation Expense
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company awarded 664,655 service-based restricted stock units with a weighted average grant date fair value per share of $66.76 as determined on the date of grant. Service-based restricted stock units typically vest ratably over three years provided that the participant is employed by the Company on each such vesting date.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company awarded 82,513 performance-based restricted stock units with pre-defined vesting criteria that permit a range from 0% to 150% to be earned. The fair market value of these awards is $72.42. If the performance targets are met, the restrictions will lapse (i.e., the awards will vest) with respect to the entire award on February 17, 2025, provided that the participant is employed by the Company on the vesting date.
For the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $8 million and $7 million in stock-based compensation expense, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $24 million and $20 million in stock-based compensation expense, respectively.
Dividends
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company paid $10 million and $32 million, respectively, in dividends to its shareholders of common stock. On October 27, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.21 per share on its common stock, payable on December 16, 2022, to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 14, 2022.
12. INCOME TAXES
The effective tax rate was 28.9% and 20.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and 29.5% and 24.8% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three month period primarily related to increases in nondeductible items over those in the prior year period and greater discrete tax benefits recorded in the prior year period. Increases in nondeductible items over those in the prior year period, and greater discrete tax benefits recorded in the prior year, as well as a decrease in Income from continuing operations before income taxes, drove the increase in the effective tax rate for the nine month period.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act (the Act) was signed into law in the United States of America. The Company is evaluating the Act and does not anticipate a significant impact on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows, nor does it expect significant changes to accounting policies, business processes or internal controls as a result of the Act.
The Company is under examination by the Internal Revenue Service as well as tax authorities in various states. The tax years under examination and open for examination vary by jurisdiction, but with some exceptions, the tax returns filed by the Company are no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax and state and local examinations for the years before 2015 or foreign income tax examinations for years before 2018.