Note 6: Taxes on Earnings

Provision for Taxes

The domestic and foreign components of earnings (loss) before taxes were as follows:

	For the fiscal years ended October 31
	2015		2014		2013
	In millions
U.S.	$	373	$	2,565	$	2,618
Non-U.S.		4,359		3,992		3,892

	$	4,732	$	6,557	$	6,510

The provision for (benefit from) taxes on earnings was as follows:

	For the fiscal years ended October 31
	2015			2014			2013
	In millions
U.S. federal taxes:
Current	$	(324	)	$	381		$	475
Deferred		(1,237	)		210			(666	)
Non-U.S. taxes:
Current		993			984			1,275
Deferred		678			(42	)		89
State taxes:
Current		210			212			57
Deferred		(142	)		(201	)		167

	$	178		$	1,544		$	1,397

The differences between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and HP's effective tax rate were as follows:

	For the fiscal years ended October 31
	2015			2014			2013
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate		35.0	%		35.0	%		35.0	%
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit		(4.6	)%		0.4	%		0.1	%
Lower rates in other jurisdictions, net		(16.2	)%		(12.9	)%		(24.5	)%
Valuation allowances		(23.4	)%		1.7	%		3.8	%
Uncertain tax positions		10.1	%		(2.3	)%		4.1	%
Other, net		2.9	%		1.6	%		3.0	%

		3.8	%		23.5	%		21.5	%

The jurisdictions with favorable tax rates that have the most significant effective tax rate impact in the periods presented include Puerto Rico, Singapore, China, Malaysia, Ireland and Netherlands. To the extent that HP plans to reinvest earnings of these jurisdictions indefinitely outside the United States, U.S. taxes have not been provided on those indefinitely reinvested earnings.

In fiscal 2015, HP recorded $1.6 billion of net income tax benefits related to items unique to the year. These amounts included $1.8 billion tax benefit due to a release of valuation allowances pertaining to certain U.S. deferred tax assets and $486 million tax charge to record valuation allowances on certain foreign deferred tax assets, both related to legal entities within the ES business, $394 million of tax charges for adjustments to uncertain tax positions and the settlement of tax audit matters, inclusive of $449 million of tax charges related to pension transfers, and $3 million of tax charges for various provision to return adjustments and other adjustments. In addition, HP recorded $639 million of net tax benefits on restructuring, separation-related, and other charges and a tax benefit of $47 million arising from the retroactive research and development credit resulting from the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014, which was signed into law in December 2014.

In fiscal 2014, HP recorded $53 million of net income tax charges related to items unique to the year.

In fiscal 2013, HP recorded $471 million of net income tax charges related to items unique to the year. These amounts included $214 million of net increases to valuation allowances, $406 million of tax charges for adjustments to uncertain tax positions and the settlement of tax audit matters and $47 million of tax charges for various prior period adjustments. In addition, HP recorded $146 million of tax benefits from adjustments to prior year foreign income tax accruals and a tax benefit of $50 million arising from the retroactive research and development credit resulting from the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which was signed into law in January 2013.

As a result of certain employment actions and capital investments HP has undertaken, income from manufacturing and services in certain countries is subject to reduced tax rates, and in some cases is wholly exempt from taxes, through 2026. The gross income tax benefits attributable to these actions and investments were estimated to be $581 million ($0.32 diluted net EPS) in fiscal year 2015, $1.2 billion ($0.61 diluted net EPS) in fiscal 2014, $827 million ($0.42 diluted net EPS) in fiscal year 2013. The gross income tax benefits were offset partially by accruals of U.S. income taxes on undistributed earnings, among other factors.

Uncertain Tax Positions

A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

	As of October 31
	2015			2014			2013
	In millions
Balance at beginning of year	$	4,128		$	3,484		$	2,573
Increases:
For current year's tax positions		1,942			304			290
For prior years' tax positions		4,673			593			997
Decreases:
For prior years' tax positions		(655	)		(125	)		(146	)
Statute of limitations expirations		(21	)		(46	)		(11	)
Settlements with taxing authorities		(90	)		(82	)		(219	)

Balance at end of year	$	9,977		$	4,128		$	3,484

Up to $3.0 billion, $2.2 billion and $1.9 billion of HP's unrecognized tax benefits at October 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, would affect HP's effective tax rate if realized. The $5.8 billion increase in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended October 31, 2015 primarily relates to the timing of intercompany royalty income recognition which does not affect HP's effective tax rate.

HP recognizes interest income from favorable settlements and interest expense and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in Provision for taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. HP had accrued $357 million and $254 million for interest and penalties as of October 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

HP engages in continuous discussion and negotiation with taxing authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. HP does not expect complete resolution of any U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") audit cycle within the next 12 months. However, it is reasonably possible that certain federal, foreign and state tax issues may be concluded in the next 12 months, including issues involving transfer pricing and other matters. Accordingly, HP believes it is reasonably possible that its existing unrecognized tax benefits may be reduced by an amount up to $144 million within the next 12 months.

HP is subject to income tax in the U.S. and approximately 105 other countries and is subject to routine corporate income tax audits in many of these jurisdictions. In addition, HP is subject to numerous ongoing audits by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. The IRS is conducting an audit of HP's 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 income tax returns. HP has received from the IRS Notices of Deficiency for its fiscal 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004 and 2005 tax years, and Revenue Agent Reports ("RAR") for its fiscal 2001, 2002, 2006, 2007 and 2008 tax years. The proposed IRS adjustments for these tax years would, if sustained, reduce the benefits of tax refund claims HP has filed for net operating loss carrybacks to earlier fiscal years and tax credit carryforwards to subsequent years by approximately $445 million. In addition, HP expects the IRS to issue an RAR for 2009 through 2011 relating to certain tax positions taken on the filed tax returns, including matters related to the U.S. taxation of certain intercompany loans. While the RAR may be material in amount, HP believes it has valid positions supporting its tax returns and, if necessary, it will vigorously defend such matters.

HP has filed petitions with the U.S. Tax Court regarding certain proposed IRS adjustments regarding tax years 1999 through 2003 and is continuing to contest additional adjustments proposed by the IRS for other tax years. The U.S. Tax Court ruled in May 2012 against HP regarding one of the IRS adjustments for which HP has filed a formal Notice of Appeal. The Court proceedings are expected to begin in fiscal 2016.

Pre-acquisition tax years of HP's U.S. group of subsidiaries providing enterprise services through 2004 have been audited by the IRS, and all proposed adjustments have been resolved. RARs have been received for tax years 2005, 2006, 2007 and the short period ended August 26, 2008, proposing total tax deficiencies of $274 million. HP is contesting certain of these issues.

The IRS began an audit in fiscal 2013 of the 2010 income tax return for HP's U.S. group of subsidiaries providing enterprise services, and has issued an RAR for the short period ended October 31, 2008 and the period ending October 31, 2009 proposing a total tax deficiency of $62 million. HP is contesting certain of these issues.

With respect to major state and foreign tax jurisdictions, HP is no longer subject to tax authority examinations for years prior to 1999. HP is subject to a foreign tax audit concerning an intercompany transaction for fiscal 2009. The relevant taxing authority has proposed an assessment of approximately $733 million. HP is contesting this proposed assessment.

HP believes it has provided adequate reserves for all tax deficiencies or reductions in tax benefits that could result from federal, state and foreign tax audits. HP regularly assesses the likely outcomes of these audits in order to determine the appropriateness of HP's tax provision. HP adjusts its uncertain tax positions to reflect the impact of negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other information and events pertaining to a particular audit. However, income tax audits are inherently unpredictable and there can be no assurance that HP will accurately predict the outcome of these audits. The amounts ultimately paid on resolution of an audit could be materially different from the amounts previously included in the Provision for taxes and therefore the resolution of one or more of these uncertainties in any particular period could have a material impact on net income or cash flows.

HP has not provided for U.S. federal income and foreign withholding taxes on $47.2 billion of undistributed earnings from non-U.S. operations as of October 31, 2015 because HP intends to reinvest such earnings indefinitely outside of the U.S. If HP were to distribute these earnings, foreign tax credits may become available under current law to reduce the resulting U.S. income tax liability. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable. HP will remit non-indefinitely reinvested earnings of its non-U.S. subsidiaries for which deferred U.S. federal and withholding taxes have been provided where excess cash has accumulated and HP determines that it is advantageous for business operations, tax or cash management reasons.

Deferred Income Taxes

The significant components of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were as follows:

	As of October 31
	2015					2014
	Deferred Tax Assets			Deferred Tax Liabilities		Deferred Tax Assets			Deferred Tax Liabilities
	In millions
Loss carryforwards	$	8,749		$	—	$	9,476		$	—
Credit carryforwards		453			—		2,377			—
Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries		—			8,450		—			7,828
Inventory valuation		120			7		152			8
Intercompany transactions—profit in inventory		147			—		136			—
Intercompany transactions—excluding inventory		6,952			—		4,403			—
Fixed assets		377			64		383			74
Warranty		549			—		616			—
Employee and retiree benefits		1,872			31		2,790			57
Accounts receivable allowance		136			1		107			1
Intangible assets		74			546		212			596
Restructuring		239			—		354			—
Deferred revenue		1,235			5		1,143			12
Other		2,215			1,486		1,573			1,145

Gross deferred tax assets and liabilities		23,118			10,590		23,722			9,721
Valuation allowances		(9,878	)		—		(11,915	)		—

Net deferred tax assets and liabilities	$	13,240		$	10,590	$	11,807		$	9,721

Current and long-term deferred tax assets and liabilities included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as follows:

	As of October 31
	2015			2014
	In millions
Current deferred tax assets	$	2,242		$	2,754
Current deferred tax liabilities		(168	)		(284	)
Long-term deferred tax assets		871			740
Long-term deferred tax liabilities		(295	)		(1,124	)

Net deferred tax assets net of deferred tax liabilities	$	2,650		$	2,086

Excess tax benefits of $64 million were recorded resulting from the exercise of employee stock options and other employee stock programs in fiscal 2015. Tax deficits of approximately $43 million and $149 million were recorded as a result of employee stock program activity and exercise of employee stock options, as a decrease in stockholders' equity in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.

HP periodically engages in intercompany advanced royalty payment and licensing arrangements that may result in advance payments between subsidiaries in different tax jurisdictions. When the local tax treatment of the intercompany licensing arrangements differs from U.S. GAAP treatment, deferred taxes are recognized. During fiscal 2015, HP executed an intercompany advanced royalty payment arrangement resulting in advanced payments of $8.8 billion, while during fiscal 2014, HP executed a multi-year intercompany licensing arrangement and an intercompany advanced royalty payment arrangement which resulted in combined advanced payments of $11.5 billion, the result of which was the recognition of zero net U.S. deferred tax assets in fiscal 2015 and $1.7 billion in fiscal 2014. In these transactions, the payments were received in the U.S. from a foreign consolidated affiliate, with a deferral of intercompany revenues over the term of the arrangements, approximately 5 years and 15 years, respectively. Intercompany royalty revenue and the amortization expense related to the licensing rights are eliminated in consolidation.

Separation costs are expenses associated with HP's plan to separate into two independent publicly-traded companies. HP recorded a deferred tax asset on these costs and expenses as they were incurred through fiscal 2015. HP expects a portion of these deferred tax assets associated with separation costs and expenses will be non-deductible expenses, at the time the Separation is executed. Furthermore, HP has also concluded on the legal form of the Separation and in May 2015 announced that Hewlett Packard Enterprise will be the spinnee in the U.S. Accordingly, during the second half of fiscal 2015, HP implemented certain internal reorganizations of, and transactions among, its wholly owned subsidiaries and operating activities in preparation for the legal form of Separation. As a result, HP recorded adjustments to certain deferred and prepaid tax assets as well as income tax liabilities reflecting the impact of separation related activities.

As of October 31, 2015, HP had $971 million, $6.1 billion and $26.8 billion of federal, state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, respectively. Amounts included in each of these respective totals begin to expire in fiscal 2023, 2016 and 2016, respectively. HP also has capital loss carryforwards of approximately $26 million which will expire in fiscal 2020. HP has provided a valuation allowance of $106 million and $8.2 billion related to the state and foreign net operating loss carryforwards, respectively.

As of October 31, 2015, HP had recorded deferred tax assets for various tax credit carryforwards as follows:

	Carryforward		Valuation Allowance			Initial Year of Expiration
	In millions
U.S. foreign tax credits	$	46	$	—			2021
U.S. R&D and other credits		47		—			2017
Tax credits in state and foreign jurisdictions		360		(223	)		2016

Balance at end of year	$	453	$	(223	)

Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance

The deferred tax asset valuation allowance and changes were as follows:

	As of October 31
	2015			2014		2013
	In millions
Balance at beginning of year	$	11,915		$	11,390	$	10,223
Income tax (benefit) expense		(1,657	)		184		1,644
Other comprehensive income, currency translation and charges to other accounts		(380	)		341		(477	)

Balance at end of year	$	9,878		$	11,915	$	11,390

Gross deferred tax assets at October 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were reduced by valuation allowances of $9.9 billion, $11.9 billion and $11.4 billion, respectively. Total valuation allowance decreased by $2 billion in fiscal 2015 associated with the reversal of a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in the U.S., and increased by $525 million in fiscal 2014, associated primarily with foreign net operating losses.

Tax Matters Agreement and Other Income Tax Matters

In connection with the Separation, HP entered into a Tax Matters Agreement (the "Tax Matters Agreement") with Hewlett Packard Enterprise effective on November 1, 2015 that governs the rights and obligations of HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise for certain pre-Separation tax liabilities. The Tax Matters Agreement provides that HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise will share certain pre-Separation income tax liabilities that arise from adjustments made by tax authorities to HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise's U.S. and certain non-U.S. income tax returns. In certain jurisdictions HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have joint and several liability for past income tax liabilities and accordingly, HP could be legally liable under applicable tax law for such liabilities and required to make additional tax payments.

In addition, if the distribution of Hewlett Packard Enterprise's common shares to the HP stockholders is determined to be taxable, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP would share the tax liability equally, unless the taxability of the distribution is the direct result of action taken by either Hewlett Packard Enterprise or HP subsequent to the distribution in which case the party causing the distribution to be taxable would be responsible for any taxes imposed on the distribution.

Upon completion of the Separation on November 1, 2015, HP recorded a net payable to Hewlett Packard Enterprise of $390 million for certain tax liabilities that Hewlett Packard Enterprise is joint and severally liable for, but for which it is indemnified by HP under the Tax Matters Agreement. The actual amount that HP may be obligated to pay could vary depending upon the outcome of certain unresolved tax matters, which may not be resolved for several years.