Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Valuation And Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]

Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

The Nielsen Company B.V.

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

For the Years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010

(IN MILLIONS)	Balance Beginning of Period		Charges to Expense		Acquisitions and Divestitures		Deductions			Effect of Foreign Currency Translation		Balance at End of Period
Allowance for accounts receivable and sales returns
For the year ended December 31, 2010	$	31	$	4	$	—	$	(4	)	$	—	$	31
For the year ended December 31, 2011	$	31	$	2	$	1	$	(10	)	$	—	$	24
For the year ended December 31, 2012	$	24	$	10	$	4	$	—		$	—	$	38

(IN MILLIONS)	Balance Beginning of Period		Charges/ (Credits) to Expense			Charged to Other Accounts		Effect of Foreign Currency Translation			Balance at End of Period
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes
For the year ended December 31, 2010	$	233	$	(25	)	$	14	$	(7	)	$	215
For the year ended December 31, 2011	$	215	$	(25	)	$	9	$	(6	)	$	193
For the year ended December 31, 2012	$	193	$	(15	)	$	62	$	8		$	248