INCOME TAXES (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

For the three months ended January 31, 2020, the company's income tax expense was $22 million with an effective tax rate of 10.0 percent. For the three months ended January 31, 2020, our effective tax rate and the resulting provision for income taxes were significantly impacted by a discrete benefit of $13 million related to the excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation.

For the three months ended January 31, 2019, the company's income tax benefit was $256 million with an effective tax rate of (103.2) percent. For the three months ended January 31, 2019, our effective tax rate and the resulting provision for income taxes were significantly impacted by a discrete benefit of $299 million related to the extension of the company’s tax incentive in Singapore. The income taxes for the three months ended January 31, 2019 also includes the excess tax benefits of $4 million from stock-based compensation.

In the U.S., tax years remain open back to the year 2016 for federal income tax purposes and the year 2015 for significant states. In other major jurisdictions where the company conducts business, the tax years generally remain open back to the year 2009.

It is reasonably possible there could be significant changes to our unrecognized tax benefits in the next twelve months due to either the expiration of a statute of limitation or a tax audit settlement. Given the number of years and numerous matters that remain subject to examination in various tax jurisdictions, management is unable to estimate the range of possible changes to the balance of our unrecognized tax benefits. The company will continue to assess the impact of the further guidance from federal and state tax authorities on its business and consolidated financial statements. Any future adjustments will be recognized as discrete income tax expense or benefit in the period the adjustments are determined.