INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
INCOME TAXES	12. INCOME TAXES Effective tax rate The company’s effective income tax rate for continuing operations was (1.7)% and 9.5% in the first quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The company’s effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, state and local taxes, and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can be impacted each period by discrete factors and events. The effective income tax rate for continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased due to the impact of discrete items including tax-free net realized gains associated with the debt-for-equity exchanges and the benefits associated with closing an IRS and German income tax audit. These items reduced the effective tax rate by 22.0 percentage points. The effective income tax rate for continuing operations in the first quarter of 2015 included significant deductions related to the separation of Baxalta, including debt tender premium costs that were deductible at rates significantly higher than the rate of tax without such charges. During the first quarter of 2016, Baxter paid approximately $303 million to partially settle a US Federal income tax audit for the period 2008-2013. Additionally, the company settled a German income tax audit for the period 2008-2011. As a result, the company reduced its gross unrecognized tax benefits by $85 million. Pursuant to the tax matters agreement with Baxalta, Baxalta paid the company approximately $34 million pursuant to its tax indemnity obligations in respect of its portion of the settled gross unrecognized tax benefits. See Note 2 for additional details regarding the separation of Baxalta.

INCOME TAXES

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

12. INCOME TAXES

Effective tax rate

The company’s effective income tax rate for continuing operations was (1.7)% and 9.5% in the first quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively. The company’s effective income tax rate differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate each year due to certain operations that are subject to tax incentives, state and local taxes, and foreign taxes that are different than the U.S. federal statutory rate. In addition, the effective tax rate can be impacted each period by discrete factors and events.

The effective income tax rate for continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2016 decreased due to the impact of discrete items including tax-free net realized gains associated with the debt-for-equity exchanges and the benefits associated with closing an IRS and German income tax audit. These items reduced the effective tax rate by 22.0 percentage points. The effective income tax rate for continuing operations in the first quarter of 2015 included significant deductions related to the separation of Baxalta, including debt tender premium costs that were deductible at rates significantly higher than the rate of tax without such charges.

During the first quarter of 2016, Baxter paid approximately $303 million to partially settle a US Federal income tax audit for the period 2008-2013. Additionally, the company settled a German income tax audit for the period 2008-2011. As a result, the company reduced its gross unrecognized tax benefits by $85 million. Pursuant to the tax matters agreement with Baxalta, Baxalta paid the company approximately $34 million pursuant to its tax indemnity obligations in respect of its portion of the settled gross unrecognized tax benefits. See Note 2 for additional details regarding the separation of Baxalta.