pre_text: Income Tax Provision (Benefit) The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $12.6 million or approximately 39% of pre-tax loss compared to an income tax benefit of $6.7 million or approximately 20% of pre-tax loss for the year ended December 31, 2018. The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily related to the mix of pre-tax income among jurisdictions, discrete tax benefits related to stockbased compensation, and release of certain reserves for uncertain tax positions under ASC 740-10. The income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2018 primarily related to a partial release of our valuation allowance and the mix of pre-tax income among jurisdictions, excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation, and release of uncertain tax positions under ASC 740-10.
table: Year Ended December 31, % Change
table: 2019 2018 2019
table: (dollars in thousands)
table: Income tax benefit $(12,586) $(6,653) 89%
table: % of pre-tax loss 39% 20%
question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. What was the average income tax benefit for 2018 and 2019?