Income Tax

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2024

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax

Income Tax

 Autodesk had income tax expense of $76 million, relative to pre-tax income of $351 million for the three months ended October 31, 2024, and income tax expense of $79 million, relative to pre-tax income of $320 million for the three months ended October 31, 2023. Income tax expense for the three months ended October 31, 2024, reflects U.S. and foreign tax expense, including withholding tax, reduced by tax-deductible stock-based compensation, tax credits, and the foreign derived intangibles income tax benefit in the U.S. The tax expense decreased compared to October 31, 2023, mainly due to U.S. foreign tax credit relief available for the three months ended October 31, 2024 which was not available for the three months ended October 31, 2023 prior to the issuance of Notice 2023-80 by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”).

 Autodesk had income tax expense of $203 million, relative to pre-tax income of $1.01 billion for the nine months ended October 31, 2024, and income tax expense of $175 million, relative to pre-tax income of $799 million for the nine months ended October 31, 2023. Income tax expense for the nine months ended October 31, 2024, reflects U.S. and foreign tax expense, including withholding tax, reduced by tax-deductible stock-based compensation, tax credits, and the foreign derived intangibles income tax benefit in the U.S. The tax expense increased compared to October 31, 2023, due to increased profit before tax, offset by an increase in tax-deductible stock-based compensation. The period to October 31, 2023, also, had a nonrecurring tax benefit arising from relief provided by IRS Notice 2023-55 and the current period reflects relief from IRS Notice 2023-80 relating to U.S. foreign tax credit regulations offset in part by a nonrecurring integration tax expense.

Autodesk regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. In making that assessment, Autodesk considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company continues to retain a valuation allowance against Australia, Portugal, New Zealand, California, Massachusetts, and Michigan deferred tax assets and deferred tax assets that will convert to a capital loss upon reversal in the U.S., as we do not have sufficient income of the appropriate character to benefit from these deferred tax assets.

As of October 31, 2024, the Company had $277 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $234 million would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized. The remaining $43 million would reduce our valuation allowance, if recognized. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits will immaterially decrease in the next twelve months for statute lapses.

Signed into law on August 16, 2022 in the U.S., the Inflation Reduction Act contains many revisions to the Internal Revenue Code effective in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022, including a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax. Autodesk continues to monitor the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act on its consolidated financial statements.

Signed into law on December 18, 2023 in Ireland, the Finance (No. 2) Act 2023 provides legislation to implement tax principles arising from proposals made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development to establish a global minimum tax rate of 15%. The Company’s assessment of this legislation resulted in additional tax expense having a minimal impact to the consolidated financial statements. Other countries have enacted legislation or are actively considering changes to their tax law. The Company will continue to monitor proposed and enacted legislation for potential future impact on its consolidated financial statements.