Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Contingencies

Various legal and regulatory proceedings and claims have been or may be asserted against the Company relating to the conduct of its businesses, including product liability, environmental and other claims. These proceedings and claims are incidental to the ordinary course of business. Management believes that it has meritorious defenses and will vigorously defend the Company in these actions. Any costs that management estimates will be paid as a result of these claims are accrued when the liability is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Although the ultimate disposition of these proceedings is not presently determinable, management believes, after consultation with its legal counsel, that the likelihood is remote that costs will be incurred materially in excess of accruals already recognized.

The Company previously filed legal actions in Brazil to recover certain social integration and social contribution taxes paid over gross sales, including ICMS receipts, which is a form of state value added tax. During 2019, the Company’s Brazil legal advisors notified the Company that they received judicial notification that the Superior Judicial Court rendered a favorable decision on the case granting the Company the right to recover, through offset of federal tax liabilities, amounts of overpayments collected by the government from 1999 to date. The judicial court decision is final and not subject to appeals. Based on analysis performed to date, the current estimate of the refund calculated on a gross basis is approximately 100 million Brazilian reais, or approximately $18 million as of September 30, 2020.    

The amount and ultimate timing of realization of these recoveries is dependent upon administrative approvals, generation of federal tax liabilities in Brazil eligible for offset and potential impacts of future legislative actions within Brazil, all of which are uncertain. Based upon a probability weighted analysis, including a review of historical earnings and trends, forecasted earnings, the relevant expiration of carryforwards and the potential of selling the credits at a significant discount, the Company determined the net realizable value of the credits is approximately 8 million Brazilian reais, or $1.4 million as of September 30, 2020. The Company currently expects to realize this amount within the next one to five years. Future legislative changes in Brazil, changes in the Company’s forecasted earnings or resolution of other uncertainties could impact the estimate of the amount realizable for these tax credits.  The Brazilian tax authorities have sought clarification before the Brazilian Supreme Court of certain matters, including the amount of these credits (i.e., the gross rate or net credit amount), and certain other matters that could affect the rights of Brazilian taxpayers regarding these credits, all of which would materially impact the realization of the credits. Based on the opinions of our tax and legal advisors, we have not accrued any amounts related to potential future litigation regarding these credits.