Taxes on Earnings	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Taxes on Earnings
Taxes on Earnings	Note 13 — 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 three months of 2020, taxes on earnings from continuing operations include approximately $47 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the first three months of 2020 reflect the recognition of $20 million of net tax benefits primarily as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years. In the first three months of 2019, taxes on earnings from continuing operations include a $78 million reduction to the transition tax related to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) and approximately $65 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. 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 between $230 million and $520 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 2016 are settled except for the federal income tax returns of the former Alere consolidated group which are settled through 2015 and the former St. Jude Medical consolidated group which are settled through 2013.

Taxes on Earnings

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Note 13 — 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 three months of 2020, taxes on earnings from continuing operations include approximately $47 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. Earnings from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the first three months of 2020 reflect the recognition of $20 million of net tax benefits primarily as a result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years. In the first three months of 2019, taxes on earnings from continuing operations include a $78 million reduction to the transition tax related to the Tax Cut and Jobs Act (TCJA) and approximately $65 million in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.

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 between $230 million and $520 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 2016 are settled except for the federal income tax returns of the former Alere consolidated group which are settled through 2015 and the former St. Jude Medical consolidated group which are settled through 2013.