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Tax Matters
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 29, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Tax Matters Tax Matters

A. Taxes on Income from Continuing Operations
Our effective tax rate for continuing operations was 12.2% for the first quarter of 2020, compared to 10.0% for the first quarter of 2019.
The higher effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 in comparison with the same period in 2019 was primarily due to:
•
the non-recurrence of the tax benefit recorded in the first quarter of 2019 as a result of additional guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury related to the TCJA; and
•
a decrease in tax benefits associated with the resolution of certain tax positions pertaining to prior years,
partially offset by:
•
the favorable change in the jurisdictional mix of earnings as a result of operating fluctuations in the normal course of business.
Our initial estimated $15 billion repatriation tax liability on accumulated post-1986 foreign earnings for which we elected, with the filing of our 2018 U.S. Federal Consolidated Income Tax Return, payment over eight years through 2026 is reported in current Income taxes payable (approximately $650 million) and the remaining liability is reported in noncurrent Other taxes payable in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 29, 2020. We expect to pay the second installment of $650 million in July 2020, which was originally due to be paid in April 2020 but was recently extended to July 2020 by the IRS in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our obligations may vary as a result of changes in our uncertain tax positions and/or availability of attributes such as foreign tax and other credit carryforwards.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was signed into law in the U.S. to provide certain relief as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, governments around the world have enacted or implemented various forms of tax relief measures in response to the economic conditions in the wake of COVID-19. As of March 29, 2020, neither the CARES Act nor changes to income tax laws or regulations in other jurisdictions had a significant impact on our effective tax rate.
B. Tax Contingencies

We are subject to income tax in many jurisdictions, and a certain degree of estimation is required in recording the assets and liabilities related to income taxes. All of our tax positions are subject to audit by the local taxing authorities in each tax jurisdiction. These tax audits can involve complex issues, interpretations and judgments and the resolution of matters may span multiple years, particularly if subject to negotiation or litigation. Our assessments are based on estimates and assumptions that have been deemed reasonable by management, but our estimates of unrecognized tax benefits and potential tax benefits may not be representative of actual outcomes, and variation from such estimates could materially affect our financial statements in the period of settlement or when the statutes of limitations expire, as we treat these events as discrete items in the period of resolution.
The U.S. is one of our major tax jurisdictions, and we are regularly audited by the IRS. With respect to Pfizer, tax years 2011-2015 are currently under audit. Tax years 2016-2020 are open, but not under audit. All other tax years are closed.
In addition to the open audit years in the U.S., we have open audit years in other major tax jurisdictions, such as Canada (2013-2020), Japan (2017-2020), Europe (2011-2020, primarily reflecting Ireland, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain and Germany), Latin America (1998-2020, primarily reflecting Brazil) and Puerto Rico (2015-2020).
C. Tax Provision/(Benefit) on Other Comprehensive Income/(Loss)
The following table provides the components of Tax provision/(benefit) on other comprehensive income/(loss):
 
 
Three Months Ended
(MILLIONS OF DOLLARS)
 
March 29,
2020

 
March 31,
2019

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net(a)
 
$
(252
)
 
$
27

Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on derivative financial instruments, net
 
(133
)
 
59

Reclassification adjustments for (gains)/losses included in net income
 
15

 
(55
)
 
 
(118
)
 
4

Unrealized holding gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net
 
(6
)
 
5

Reclassification adjustments for losses included in net income
 
2

 
1

 
 
(5
)
 
7

Benefit plans: actuarial losses, net
 
(21
)
 
—

Reclassification adjustments related to amortization
 
15

 
3

Reclassification adjustments related to settlements, net
 
9

 
—

Other
 
4

 
(5
)
 
 
8

 
(2
)
Reclassification adjustments related to amortization of prior service costs and other, net
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Other
 
—

 
—

 
 
(11
)
 
(11
)
Tax provision/(benefit) on other comprehensive income/(loss)
 
$
(377
)
 
$
25

(a) 
Taxes are not provided for foreign currency translation adjustments relating to investments in international subsidiaries that will be held indefinitely.