Income taxes - provision for income taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Current provision
Federal	$ 39	$ 79	$ 184
State	37	115	49
Non–U.S.	260	234	135
Total current provisions for income taxes	336	428	368
Deferred provision
Federal	(78)	(10)	(83)
State	(20)	(46)	2
Non–U.S. – tax law change	0	344	139
Non–U.S. – excluding tax law change	(268)	(49)	(87)
Total non-current provisions for income taxes	(366)	239	(29)
Income tax (benefit) provision	$ (30)	$ 667	$ 339