Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES Our effective tax rate increased to 46.4% for the 2016 third quarter from 32.4% for the 2015 third quarter, and to 33.1% for the 2016 first three quarters from 32.4% for the 2015 first three quarters, primarily due to lower benefits from Starwood merger-related costs that were incurred in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates, and the portion of merger-related costs that were incurred in the U.S. that are not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes. The year-to-date increase is also due to a $5 million reserve established due to a recent examination of a tax position taken in a foreign jurisdiction, partially offset by a $15 million release of a valuation allowance related to a capital loss. For the 2016 third quarter, our unrecognized tax benefits balance of $398 million increased by $374 million from year-end 2015, primarily reflecting $365 million of Legacy-Starwood unrecognized tax benefits recorded in connection with the Starwood Combination. The unrecognized tax benefits balance included $269 million of tax positions that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that $38 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2016 will be reversed within the next twelve months. We are continuing to analyze whether or not we have properly identified all liabilities associated with tax uncertainties in jurisdictions where Starwood operates, which could result in changes to our provisional values related to our uncertain tax positions. We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, in various jurisdictions around the world. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has examined our federal income tax returns, and has settled all issues for tax years through 2013 for Marriott and through 2006 for Starwood. Our Marriott 2014 and 2015 tax year audits are substantially complete, and our Marriott 2016 tax year audit is currently ongoing. Starwood is currently under audit by the IRS for years 2010 through 2012 and in appeals for years 2007 through 2009. Various foreign, state, and local income tax returns are also under examination by the applicable taxing authorities. We paid cash for income taxes, net of refunds, of $243 million in the 2016 first three quarters and $161 million in the 2015 first three quarters.

INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rate increased to 46.4% for the 2016 third quarter from 32.4% for the 2015 third quarter, and to 33.1% for the 2016 first three quarters from 32.4% for the 2015 first three quarters, primarily due to lower benefits from Starwood merger-related costs that were incurred in foreign jurisdictions with lower tax rates, and the portion of merger-related costs that were incurred in the U.S. that are not deductible for U.S. income tax purposes. The year-to-date increase is also due to a $5 million reserve established due to a recent examination of a tax position taken in a foreign jurisdiction, partially offset by a $15 million release of a valuation allowance related to a capital loss.

For the 2016 third quarter, our unrecognized tax benefits balance of $398 million increased by $374 million from year-end 2015, primarily reflecting $365 million of Legacy-Starwood unrecognized tax benefits recorded in connection with the Starwood Combination. The unrecognized tax benefits balance included $269 million of tax positions that, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that $38 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2016 will be reversed within the next twelve months. We are continuing to analyze whether or not we have properly identified all liabilities associated with tax uncertainties in jurisdictions where Starwood operates, which could result in changes to our provisional values related to our uncertain tax positions.

We file income tax returns, including returns for our subsidiaries, in various jurisdictions around the world. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has examined our federal income tax returns, and has settled all issues for tax years through 2013 for Marriott and through 2006 for Starwood. Our Marriott 2014 and 2015 tax year audits are substantially complete, and our Marriott 2016 tax year audit is currently ongoing. Starwood is currently under audit by the IRS for years 2010 through 2012 and in appeals for years 2007 through 2009. Various foreign, state, and local income tax returns are also under examination by the applicable taxing authorities.

We paid cash for income taxes, net of refunds, of $243 million in the 2016 first three quarters and $161 million in the 2015 first three quarters.