Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Income Taxes

v2.3.0.15
Income Taxes
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Income taxes  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate reflects the benefits of having significant operations outside the United States, which are generally taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35 percent. As a result of employment actions and capital investments made by the Company, certain tax jurisdictions provide income tax incentive grants, including Brazil, Costa Rica, Singapore and Swaziland. The terms of these grants range from 2016 to 2021. We expect each of these grants to be renewed indefinitely. In addition, our effective tax rate reflects the benefits of having significant earnings generated in investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting, which are generally taxed at rates lower than the U.S. statutory rate.
At the end of each interim period, we make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year. This estimate reflects, among other items, our best estimate of operating results and foreign currency exchange rates. Based on current tax laws, the Company's estimated effective tax rate for 2011 is 24.0 percent. However, in arriving at this estimate we do not include the estimated impact of unusual and/or infrequent items, which may cause significant variations in the customary relationship between income tax expense and income before income taxes.
The Company recorded income tax expense of $680 million (23.3 percent effective tax rate) and $2,268 million (24.6 percent effective tax rate) during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The Company recorded income tax expense of $633 million (23.4 percent effective tax rate) and $1,927 million (24.1 percent effective tax rate) during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, respectively. The following table illustrates the tax expense (benefit) associated with unusual and/or infrequent items for the interim periods presented (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
2011

 
October 1,
2010

 
September 30,
2011

 
October 1,
2010

 
Asset impairments
$
—

1 
$
—

 
$
(15
)
1 
$
—

11 
Productivity, integration, restructuring and transaction costs
(25
)
2 
(19
)
8 
(111
)
2 
(59
)
8 
Transaction gains and losses
(5
)
3 
10

9 
203

6 
10

9 
Certain tax matters
(4
)
4 
13

4 
15

4 
42

12 
Other — net
(6
)
5 
(1
)
10 
(44
)
7 
(7
)
13 
1 Related to charges of $3 million and $41 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, due to the impairment of an investment in an entity accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Refer to Note 10. The Company does not expect to receive a tax benefit on the portion of the impairment recorded during the three months ended September 30, 2011.
2 Related to charges of $89 million and $372 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, primarily due to our ongoing productivity, integration and restructuring initiatives. Refer to Note 10 and Note 11.
3 Related to a charge of $14 million due to costs associated with the merger of Arca and Contal and the finalization of working capital adjustments related to the sale of all our ownership interests in our Norwegian and Swedish bottling operations to New CCE. Refer to Note 10.
4  Related to amounts required to be recorded for changes to our uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. The components of the net change in uncertain tax positions were individually insignificant.
5 Related to a net charge of $42 million, primarily due to the Company's proportionate share of asset impairments and restructuring charges recorded by certain of our equity method investees; a net charge in connection with the repurchase and/or exchange of certain long-term debt; and a net charge associated with the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern and eastern Japan. Refer to Note 10.
6 Related to a net gain of $479 million, primarily due to the gain on the merger of Arca and Contal and the gain on the sale of our investment in Embonor, partially offset by costs associated with the merger of Arca and Contal and the finalization of working capital adjustments related to the sale of all our ownership interests in our Norwegian and Swedish bottling operations to New CCE. Refer to Note 10.
7 Related to a net charge of $151 million, primarily due to estimated charges related to the earthquake and tsunami that devastated northern and eastern Japan; our proportionate share of asset impairments and restructuring charges recorded by certain of our equity method investees; the amortization of favorable supply contracts acquired in connection with our acquisition of CCE's North American business; and a net charge in connection with the repurchase and/or exchange of certain long-term debt. Refer to Note 10.
8 Related to charges of $100 million and $274 million during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2010, respectively, due to our ongoing productivity, integration and restructuring initiatives as well as transaction costs. Refer to Note 10 and Note 11.
9 Related to a gain of $23 million on the sale of 50 percent of our investment in Leão Junior. Refer to Note 10.
10 Related to a net charge of $10 million, primarily attributable to the Company's proportionate share of transaction costs recorded by CCE, which was partially offset by our proportionate share of a foreign currency remeasurement gain recorded by an equity method investee. Refer to Note 10.
11 Income before income taxes included charges of $26 million due to other-than-temporary impairments of available-for-sale securities. There was a zero percent effective tax rate on these items. Refer to Note 10.
12 Related to a tax charge of $14 million due to new legislation that changed the tax treatment of Medicare Part D subsidies. In addition, the Company recorded a net tax charge of $28 million related to amounts required to be recorded for changes to our uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties. The components of the net change in uncertain tax positions were individually insignificant. Refer to Note 12 for additional information on the change in tax treatment of Medicare Part D subsidies.
13 Related to a net charge of $55 million, primarily due to our proportionate share of unusual tax charges, asset impairments, restructuring charges and transaction costs recorded by equity method investees. In addition, income before income taxes included charges of $103 million due to the remeasurement of our Venezuelan subsidiary's net assets, which had a zero percent effective tax rate. Refer to Note 10.
It is expected that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next 12 months; however, we do not expect the change to have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated statements of income or condensed consolidated balance sheets. The change may be the result of settlements of ongoing audits, statutes of limitations expiring or final settlements in matters that are the subject of litigation. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible outcomes cannot be made.