Table:
|  |  | Years Ended December 31, |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Stock-based compensation (expense) (1) | $(7,396) | $(7,543) | $(7,621) |
| Income tax benefit (2) | 1,775 | 1,810 | 2,858 |
Paragraphs:
Note 24. Stock-Based Compensation
The Company’s stock-based compensation plans include the 2019 Equity Incentive Plan for employees and certain non-employees, including non-employee directors, and the Deferred Compensation Plan for certain eligible employees. The Company issues common stock and uses treasury stock to satisfy stock option exercises or vesting of stock awards.
The following table summarizes the stock-based compensation expense (primarily in the Americas) and income tax benefits related to the stock-based compensation, both plan and non-plan related (in thousands):
(1) Included in "General and administrative" costs in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
(2) Included in "Income taxes" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.
There were no capitalized stock-based compensation costs as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017.
Question:
In which year was the income tax benefit smallest?
Answer: Because 1,775<1,810<2,858, the answer is: 2019.