Taxes on Earnings	3 Months Ended
Jan. 31, 2016
Taxes on Earnings
Taxes on Earnings	Note 7: Taxes on Earnings 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 income tax indemnification receivables from Hewlett Packard Enterprise for certain income tax liabilities that HP is jointly and severally liable for, but for which it is indemnified by Hewlett Packard Enterprise under the Tax Matters Agreement. The actual amount that Hewlett Packard Enterprise may be obligated to pay HP could vary depending upon the outcome of certain unresolved tax matters, which may not be resolved for several years. The net receivable as of January 31, 2016 was $892 million. Provision for Taxes HP's effective tax rate for continuing operations was 22.0% and 22.7% for the three months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. HP's effective tax rate generally differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to favorable tax rates associated with certain earnings from HP's operations in lower tax jurisdictions throughout the world. HP has not provided U.S. taxes for all foreign earnings because HP plans to reinvest some of those earnings indefinitely outside the U.S. During the three months ended January 31, 2016, HP recorded $54 million of net tax benefits related to items unique to the year in the provision for taxes for continuing operations. This amount included a tax benefit of $41 million arising from the retroactive research and development credit provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 signed into law in December 2015, a tax benefit of $6 million on restructuring charges, and a tax benefit of $39 million related to provision to return adjustments. These tax benefits were offset by tax charges of $27 million related to uncertain tax positions and $5 million related to various other items. During the three months ended January 31, 2015, HP recorded $26 million of net tax benefits related to items unique to the year in the provision for taxes for continuing operations. These amounts included a tax benefit of $26 million arising from the retroactive research and development credit provided by the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 signed into law in December 2014, a tax benefit of $12 million on separation charges, a tax benefit of $3 million on restructuring charges, and a tax benefit of $11 million for adjustments related to uncertain tax positions. These tax benefits were offset by a tax charge of $26 million related to provision to return adjustments. Uncertain Tax Positions HP is subject to income tax in the U.S. and approximately 57 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 U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("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. With respect to major state and foreign tax jurisdictions, HP is no longer subject to tax authority examinations for years prior to 1999. No material tax deficiencies have been assessed in major state or foreign tax jurisdictions during the reporting period. 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. As of January 31, 2016, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $9.3 billion, of which up to $3.2 billion would affect HP's effective tax rate if realized. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased by $55 million for the three months ended January 31, 2016 primarily related to tax attributes. HP continues to record its tax liabilities related to uncertain tax positions and certain liabilities for which it has joint and several liability with Hewlett Packard Enterprise. During the period, as part of the Separation, HP distributed $756 million of liabilities related solely to uncertain tax positions associated with Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have contractually agreed to share the responsibility of certain tax exposures, and as such have recorded indemnification assets and liabilities pursuant to the executed Tax Matters Agreement. HP recognizes interest income from favorable settlements and interest expense and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for taxes in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. As of January 31, 2016, HP had accrued $140 million for interest and penalties. HP engages in continuous discussion and negotiation with taxing authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. HP does not expect complete resolution of any 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 $76 million within the next 12 months. Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities In 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes", which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. This guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. This guidance may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax assets and liabilities or retrospectively to all periods presented. HP early adopted the FASB's new accounting guidance prospectively for the interim period beginning November 1, 2015; thus, the prior reporting period was not retrospectively adjusted. HP periodically engages in intercompany advanced royalty payment 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 which resulted in advanced payments of $3.8 billion, with a deferral of intercompany revenues over the term of the arrangements, which is approximately 5 years. There was no recognition of any net U.S. deferred tax assets as a result of this transaction. 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 arrangement, which is approximately 5 years. Intercompany royalty revenue is eliminated in consolidation.

Note 7: Taxes on Earnings

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 income tax indemnification receivables from Hewlett Packard Enterprise for certain income tax liabilities that HP is jointly and severally liable for, but for which it is indemnified by Hewlett Packard Enterprise under the Tax Matters Agreement. The actual amount that Hewlett Packard Enterprise may be obligated to pay HP could vary depending upon the outcome of certain unresolved tax matters, which may not be resolved for several years. The net receivable as of January 31, 2016 was $892 million.

Provision for Taxes

HP's effective tax rate for continuing operations was 22.0% and 22.7% for the three months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. HP's effective tax rate generally differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to favorable tax rates associated with certain earnings from HP's operations in lower tax jurisdictions throughout the world. HP has not provided U.S. taxes for all foreign earnings because HP plans to reinvest some of those earnings indefinitely outside the U.S.

During the three months ended January 31, 2016, HP recorded $54 million of net tax benefits related to items unique to the year in the provision for taxes for continuing operations. This amount included a tax benefit of $41 million arising from the retroactive research and development credit provided by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 signed into law in December 2015, a tax benefit of $6 million on restructuring charges, and a tax benefit of $39 million related to provision to return adjustments. These tax benefits were offset by tax charges of $27 million related to uncertain tax positions and $5 million related to various other items.

During the three months ended January 31, 2015, HP recorded $26 million of net tax benefits related to items unique to the year in the provision for taxes for continuing operations. These amounts included a tax benefit of $26 million arising from the retroactive research and development credit provided by the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 signed into law in December 2014, a tax benefit of $12 million on separation charges, a tax benefit of $3 million on restructuring charges, and a tax benefit of $11 million for adjustments related to uncertain tax positions. These tax benefits were offset by a tax charge of $26 million related to provision to return adjustments.

Uncertain Tax Positions

HP is subject to income tax in the U.S. and approximately 57 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 U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("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.

With respect to major state and foreign tax jurisdictions, HP is no longer subject to tax authority examinations for years prior to 1999. No material tax deficiencies have been assessed in major state or foreign tax jurisdictions during the reporting period.

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.

As of January 31, 2016, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits was $9.3 billion, of which up to $3.2 billion would affect HP's effective tax rate if realized. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits increased by $55 million for the three months ended January 31, 2016 primarily related to tax attributes. HP continues to record its tax liabilities related to uncertain tax positions and certain liabilities for which it has joint and several liability with Hewlett Packard Enterprise. During the period, as part of the Separation, HP distributed $756 million of liabilities related solely to uncertain tax positions associated with Hewlett Packard Enterprise. HP and Hewlett Packard Enterprise have contractually agreed to share the responsibility of certain tax exposures, and as such have recorded indemnification assets and liabilities pursuant to the executed Tax Matters Agreement. HP recognizes interest income from favorable settlements and interest expense and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for taxes in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings. As of January 31, 2016, HP had accrued $140 million for interest and penalties.

HP engages in continuous discussion and negotiation with taxing authorities regarding tax matters in various jurisdictions. HP does not expect complete resolution of any 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 $76 million within the next 12 months.

Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities

In 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes", which simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes. This guidance requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as non-current in a classified statement of financial position. This guidance may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax assets and liabilities or retrospectively to all periods presented. HP early adopted the FASB's new accounting guidance prospectively for the interim period beginning November 1, 2015; thus, the prior reporting period was not retrospectively adjusted.

HP periodically engages in intercompany advanced royalty payment 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 which resulted in advanced payments of $3.8 billion, with a deferral of intercompany revenues over the term of the arrangements, which is approximately 5 years. There was no recognition of any net U.S. deferred tax assets as a result of this transaction. 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 arrangement, which is approximately 5 years. Intercompany royalty revenue is eliminated in consolidation.