Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	6. Income Taxes Fluctuations in our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes as a percentage of pretax earnings (“effective tax rate”) are generally due to changes in international and U.S. state effective tax rates resulting from our business mix and discrete items. Tax Effects of Self-Insurance Pre-tax Loss During the three months ended December 31, 2020, our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary recorded a self-insurance pre-tax loss in its fiscal 2020 statutory financial statements primarily related to opioid litigation. This self-insurance pre-tax loss, which did not impact our pre-tax consolidated results, is currently deductible on our fiscal 2020 consolidated federal income tax return and contributed to a significant net operating loss for tax purposes. The net operating loss is being carried back and applied to adjust our taxable income for fiscal 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 as permitted under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act enacted by the United States Congress in March 2020. Accordingly, our provision for income taxes during the three months ended December 31, 2020 included a $420 million benefit from the net operating loss carryback primarily to reflect the difference between the federal statutory income tax rate during the fiscal years from 2015 to 2018 (35 percent for fiscal 2015, 2016, and 2017 and 28 percent for fiscal 2018) and the current federal statutory income tax rate of 21 percent. We intend to file for a federal income tax refund of $974 million as a result of the net operating loss carryback under the CARES Act, which we expect to receive within 12 months, and accordingly have recorded a current asset on our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020. We also increased our non-current deferred tax liability by approximately $700 million during the six months ended December 31, 2020 related to this matter. We have made reasonable estimates and recorded amounts based on management's judgment and our current understanding of tax law; however, it is possible that the tax authorities could challenge these tax benefits. The actual amount of the tax benefit may differ materially from these estimates. Tax Effects of Opioid Litigation Charges In connection with the $1.02 billion and $5.63 billion pre-tax charges for the opioid litigation, during the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the net tax benefits are $35 million and $488 million for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our tax benefits are estimates, which reflect our current assessment of the estimated future deductibility of the amount that may be paid under the accrual taken in connection with the opioid litigation and are net of unrecognized tax benefits of $34 million and $469 million, respectively. Due to our assessment of non-deductibility for certain components considered in the fiscal 2021 and 2020 charges, the tax benefit for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 resulted in a relatively lower tax benefit. Our assumptions and estimates around this benefit and uncertain tax position require significant judgment and the actual amount of tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions may differ materially from these estimates. Unless an item is considered discrete because it is unusual or infrequent, the tax impact of the item is included in our estimated annual effective tax rate. When items are recognized through our estimated annual effective tax rate, we apply our estimated annual effective tax rate to the earnings/(loss) before income taxes for the year-to-date period to compute our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes for the current quarter and year-to-date period. The tax impacts of discrete items are recognized in their entirety in the period in which they occur. In conjunction with the initial opioid accrual during the six months ended December 31, 2019, the tax effect of the charge was treated as a discrete item because it was considered unusual or infrequent. However, the tax effect of the charge during the three months ended September 30, 2020 was included in our estimated annual effective tax rate because it was no longer considered unusual or infrequent. The inclusion of the relatively lower tax benefit of the current fiscal year charge in our estimated annual effective tax rate significantly increased the estimated annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2021. As such, the amount of tax expense increased by approximately $150 million during the three months ended December 31, 2020 while the amount of tax benefit increased by approximately $300 million during the six months ended December 31, 2020 compared to the tax impacts that would have been recognized without the opioid litigation charge and is expected to significantly increase our provision for income taxes during the remainder of fiscal 2021. We have made reasonable estimates and recorded amounts based on management's judgment and our current understanding of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"); however, these estimates require significant judgment since the definitive settlement terms and documentation, including provisions related to deductibility, under the Settlement Framework have not been negotiated and the U.S. tax law governing deductibility was changed by the Tax Act. Further, it is possible that the tax authorities could challenge our interpretation of the Tax Act or the estimates and assumptions used to assess the future deductibility of these benefits. The actual amount of the tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions may differ materially from these estimates. Effective Tax Rate During the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the effective tax rate was (47.6) percent and 21.0 percent, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate compared to the prior period was primarily due to the $420 million benefit from the net operating loss carryback primarily related to a self-insurance pre-tax loss, partially offset by the adverse tax impacts of the opioid litigation accrual. During the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the effective tax rate was 259.7 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively. Included in the effective tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2020 was the $420 million benefit from a net operating loss carryback primarily related to a self-insurance pre-tax loss. Included in both the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were net tax benefits related to the treatment of the tax impacts of opioid litigation charges. Unrecognized Tax Benefits At December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, we had $989 million and $998 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. The December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 balances include $745 million and $753 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, that if recognized, would have an impact on the effective tax rate. At December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, we had $150 million and $146 million, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, which we recognize in the provision for/(benefit from) income taxes in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings/(loss). These balances are gross amounts before any tax benefits and are included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. It is reasonably possible that there could be a change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months due to activities of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or other taxing authorities, possible settlement of IRS and other audit issues, reassessment of existing unrecognized tax benefits or the expiration of statutes of limitations. We estimate that the range of the possible change in unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months is between zero and a net decrease of up to $370 million, exclusive of penalties and interest. Other Tax Matters We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various U.S. state jurisdictions and various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are subject to audit by taxing authorities for fiscal years 2008 through the current fiscal year. Tax laws are complex and subject to varying interpretations. Tax authorities have challenged some of our tax positions, including IRS challenges to our international transfer pricing for the periods from 2008 to 2014, and it is possible that they will challenge others. These challenges may adversely affect our effective tax rate or tax payments. We are a party to a tax matters agreement with CareFusion Corporation ("CareFusion"), a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company. Under the tax matters agreement, CareFusion is obligated to indemnify us for certain tax exposures and transaction taxes prior to our fiscal 2010 spin-off of CareFusion. The indemnification receivable was $181 million and $176 million at December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively, and is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As a result of the acquisition of the Patient Recovery Business, Medtronic plc is obligated to indemnify us for certain tax exposures and transaction taxes related to periods prior to the acquisition under the purchase agreement. The indemnification receivable was $19 million at both December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. Future adjustments to the financial statements may be necessary as final tax regulations related to U.S. Tax Reform are issued. We will assess any impact as additional guidance is issued.

Fluctuations in our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes as a percentage of pretax earnings (“effective tax rate”) are generally due to changes in international and U.S. state effective tax rates resulting from our business mix and discrete items.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, our wholly-owned insurance subsidiary recorded a self-insurance pre-tax loss in its fiscal 2020 statutory financial statements primarily related to opioid litigation. This self-insurance pre-tax loss, which did not impact our pre-tax consolidated results, is currently deductible on our fiscal 2020 consolidated federal income tax return and contributed to a significant net operating loss for tax purposes. The net operating loss is being carried back and applied to adjust our taxable income for fiscal 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 as permitted under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act enacted by the United States Congress in March 2020.

Accordingly, our provision for income taxes during the three months ended December 31, 2020 included a $420 million benefit from the net operating loss carryback primarily to reflect the difference between the federal statutory income tax rate during the fiscal years from 2015 to 2018 (35 percent for fiscal 2015, 2016, and 2017 and 28 percent for fiscal 2018) and the current federal statutory income tax rate of 21 percent.

We intend to file for a federal income tax refund of $974 million as a result of the net operating loss carryback under the CARES Act, which we expect to receive within 12 months, and accordingly have recorded a current asset on our condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2020. We also increased our non-current deferred tax liability by approximately $700 million during the six months ended December 31, 2020 related to this matter.

In connection with the $1.02 billion and $5.63 billion pre-tax charges for the opioid litigation, during the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, the net tax benefits are $35 million and $488 million for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively. Our tax benefits are estimates, which reflect our current assessment of the estimated future deductibility of the amount that may be paid under the accrual taken in connection with the opioid litigation and are net of unrecognized tax benefits of $34 million and $469 million, respectively. Due to our assessment of non-deductibility for certain components considered in the fiscal 2021 and 2020 charges, the tax benefit for fiscal 2021 compared to fiscal 2020 resulted in a relatively lower tax benefit. Our assumptions and estimates around this benefit and uncertain tax position require significant judgment and the actual amount of tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions may differ materially from these estimates.

Unless an item is considered discrete because it is unusual or infrequent, the tax impact of the item is included in our estimated annual effective tax rate. When items are recognized through our estimated annual effective tax rate, we apply our estimated annual effective tax rate to the earnings/(loss) before income taxes for the year-to-date period to compute our provision for/(benefit from) income taxes for the current quarter and year-to-date period. The tax impacts of discrete items are recognized in their entirety in the period in which they occur.

In conjunction with the initial opioid accrual during the six months ended December 31, 2019, the tax effect of the charge was treated as a discrete item because it was considered unusual or infrequent. However, the tax effect of the charge during the three months ended September 30, 2020 was included in our estimated annual effective tax rate because it was no longer considered unusual or infrequent. The inclusion of the relatively lower tax benefit of the current fiscal year charge in our estimated annual effective tax rate significantly increased the estimated annual effective tax rate for fiscal 2021. As such, the amount of tax expense increased by approximately $150 million during the three months ended December 31, 2020 while the amount of tax benefit increased by approximately $300 million during the six months ended December 31, 2020 compared to the tax impacts that would have been recognized without the opioid litigation charge and is expected to significantly increase our provision for income taxes during the remainder of fiscal 2021.

We have made reasonable estimates and recorded amounts based on management's judgment and our current understanding of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act"); however, these estimates require significant judgment since the definitive settlement terms and documentation, including provisions related to deductibility, under the Settlement Framework have not been negotiated and the U.S. tax law governing deductibility was changed by the Tax Act. Further, it is possible that the tax

authorities could challenge our interpretation of the Tax Act or the estimates and assumptions used to assess the future deductibility of these benefits. The actual amount of the tax benefit related to uncertain tax positions may differ materially from these estimates.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the effective tax rate was (47.6) percent and 21.0 percent, respectively. The change in the effective tax rate compared to the prior period was primarily due to the $420 million benefit from the net operating loss carryback primarily related to a self-insurance pre-tax loss, partially offset by the adverse tax impacts of the opioid litigation accrual.

During the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the effective tax rate was 259.7 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively. Included in the effective tax rate for the six months ended December 31, 2020 was the $420 million benefit from a net operating loss carryback primarily related to a self-insurance pre-tax loss. Included in both the six months ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 were net tax benefits related to the treatment of the tax impacts of opioid litigation charges.

At December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, we had $989 million and $998 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively. The December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020 balances include $745 million and $753 million of unrecognized tax benefits, respectively, that if recognized, would have an impact on the effective tax rate.

At December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, we had $150 million and $146 million, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, which we recognize in the provision for/(benefit from) income taxes in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings/(loss). These balances are gross amounts before any tax benefits and are included in deferred income taxes and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

It is reasonably possible that there could be a change in the amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months due to activities of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") or other taxing authorities, possible settlement of IRS and other audit issues, reassessment of existing unrecognized tax benefits or the expiration of statutes of limitations. We estimate that the range of the possible change in unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months is between zero and a net decrease of up to $370 million, exclusive of penalties and interest.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various U.S. state jurisdictions and various foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are subject to audit by taxing authorities for fiscal years 2008 through the current fiscal year. Tax laws are complex and subject to varying interpretations. Tax authorities have challenged some of our tax positions, including IRS challenges to our international transfer pricing for the periods from 2008 to 2014,

We are a party to a tax matters agreement with CareFusion Corporation ("CareFusion"), a subsidiary of Becton, Dickinson and Company. Under the tax matters agreement, CareFusion is obligated to indemnify us for certain tax exposures and transaction taxes prior to our fiscal 2010 spin-off of CareFusion. The indemnification receivable was $181 million and $176 million at December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, respectively, and is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

As a result of the acquisition of the Patient Recovery Business, Medtronic plc is obligated to indemnify us for certain tax exposures and transaction taxes related to periods prior to the acquisition under the purchase agreement. The indemnification receivable was $19 million at both December 31, 2020 and June 30, 2020, and is included in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.