Taxes on Earnings

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Taxes on Earnings

Taxes on Earnings

Note 12 — Taxes on Earnings

Taxes on earnings from continuing operations reflect the estimated annual effective rates and include charges for interest and penalties. In the first nine months of 2015, taxes on earnings from continuing operations include a tax cost of $71 million related to the disposal of shares of Mylan N.V. stock.  Taxes on earnings from continuing operations were not affected by any adjustments as a result of the resolution of various tax positions pertaining to prior years. Tax expense related to discontinued operations includes $667 million of tax expense on certain current-year funds earned outside the U.S. that were not designated as permanently reinvested overseas. Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the first nine months of 2015 also reflects the recognition of $10 million of net tax expense primarily as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to AbbVie’s operations for years prior to the separation. The conclusion of these tax matters decreased the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $16 million. Taxes on earnings from continuing operations, in the first nine months of 2014, reflect a tax cost of $37 million, primarily as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to the branded generics pharmaceutical business and the impact of changes in the Chilean tax rate.  Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the first nine months of 2014 reflects the recognition of $101 million of net tax benefits primarily as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to the developed markets branded generics pharmaceuticals business, as well as AbbVie’s operations, for years prior to the separation. The conclusion of these tax matters decreased the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $134 million.

Tax authorities in various jurisdictions regularly review Abbott’s income tax filings.  Abbott believes that it is reasonably possible that the recorded amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $525 million to $635 million, including cash adjustments, within the next twelve months as a result of concluding various domestic and international tax matters. In the U.S., Abbott’s federal income tax returns through 2011 are settled except for two issues.