1.0.0.3 false 14.Income Taxes false 1 $ false false Shares Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 USD Standard http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 0 USDperShareItemType Divide http://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217 USD iso4217 http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance shares 0 2 Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] 0 mat_NotesToFinancialStatementsAbstract mat false na duration string Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false false false false false true false false false 1 false false 0 0 false false Notes to Financial Statements [Abstract] false 3 14.Income Taxes 1 us-gaap_IncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlock us-gaap true na duration string No definition available. false false false false false false false false false 1 false false 0 0 <div> <table style="BORDER-COLLAPSE: collapse" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0"> <tr> <td valign="top" align="left" width="4%">14.</td> <td valign="top" align="left">Income Taxes</td> </tr> </table> Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $62.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as compared to $59.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. During the three months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recognized discrete tax expense of $2.2 million related to a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and recently enacted tax law. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel recognized net discrete tax benefits of $0.3 million related to a change in estimate of previously unrecognized tax benefits and a change in previously recorded taxes based on tax return filings and the impact of state law changes.   During the three months ended September 30, 2009, Mattel took a tax position related to the recognition of a capital loss from the liquidation of certain Canadian subsidiaries acquired as part of The Learning Company acquisition. This tax position does not meet the requirements to be recognized in the financial statements and, accordingly, Mattel has an unrecognized tax benefit of approximately $167 million related to the capital loss claimed. In the event the unrecognized tax benefit were to later meet the financial statement recognition requirements, it is uncertain as to whether there would be any benefit to Mattel’s provision for income taxes as projected capital gain income in the carryforward period to utilize this capital loss may not be sufficient and a valuation allowance, up to the full amount, would likely be required. During the normal course of business, Mattel is regularly audited by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently auditing Mattel’s 2006 and 2007 federal income tax returns. The IRS audit plan calls for the completion of the current examination in the second quarter of 2010. At this time, there is insufficient information related to current IRS, state, and foreign audits to quantify any possible changes in the unrecognized tax benefits that may occur during the next twelve months.   </div> 14. Income Taxes Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $62.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, as compared to $59.0 false false No definition available. No authoritative reference available. false false 1 2 false UnKnown UnKnown UnKnown false true