XML 27 R15.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

(10) Income Taxes

As of January 1, 2017, our unrecognized tax benefits were approximately $1 million. The amount, if recognized, that would affect the effective tax rate is approximately $1 million. During the quarter ended June 30, 2017, changes to the estimated liabilities for uncertain tax positions (including accrued interest) relating to tax positions taken during prior and current periods did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

We recognize accrued interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of the tax provision. As of June 30, 2017, we have less than $1 million of accrued interest and penalties. The U.S. federal statute of limitations remains open for 2013 and subsequent years. Foreign and U.S. state and local jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from 3 to 4 years. The statute of limitations on certain jurisdictions could expire within the next twelve months.  It is reasonably possible that the amount of uncertain tax benefits will change during the next 12 months, however, it is anticipated that any such change, if it were to occur, would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

Our provision for income taxes for the quarter and six months ended June 30, 2017 included tax benefits of $1 million and $8 million, respectively, related to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, which changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. Under ASU 2016-09, we no longer record excess tax benefits (when the deductible amount related to the settlement of employee equity awards for tax purposes exceeds the cumulative compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes) in equity. Instead, we recognize these tax benefits (and deficiencies, if applicable) as a component of our tax provision. This reporting change is applied prospectively and prior period amounts are not restated (the excess tax benefit for the quarter and six months ending June 30, 2016, related to the settlement of employee equity awards, were $24 million and $35 million, respectively, and were recorded in equity). ASU 2016-09 requires companies to present excess tax benefits as an operating activity on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows rather than as a financing activity, as previously required. We have elected to apply the change to the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows on a modified retrospective basis resulting in a reclassification of the 2016 excess income tax benefits related to stock-based compensation from financing activities to operating activities.

We operate in multiple jurisdictions with varying tax laws. We are subject to audits by any of these taxing authorities. Our tax returns have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) through the year ended December 31, 2006. We believe that adequate accruals have been provided for federal, foreign and state taxes.