Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income taxes BNY Mellon recorded an income tax provision of $280 million (24.4% effective tax rate) in the first quarter of 2015 and $232 million (25.1% effective tax rate) in the first quarter of 2014. The effective tax rates primarily reflect the tax benefit from foreign operations, tax-exempt income and consolidated investment management funds. Our total tax reserves as of March 31, 2015 were $673 million compared with $669 million at Dec. 31, 2014. If these tax reserves were unnecessary, $673 million would affect the effective tax rate in future periods. We recognize accrued interest and penalties, if applicable, related to income taxes in income tax expense. Included in the balance sheet at March 31, 2015 is accrued interest, where applicable, of $200 million. The additional tax expense related to interest for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $1 million compared with $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. It is reasonably possible the total reserve for uncertain tax positions could decrease within the next 12 months by an amount up to $38 million as a result of adjustments related to tax years that are still subject to examination. On Nov. 10, 2009, BNY Mellon filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court challenging the IRS’s disallowance of certain foreign tax credits claimed for the 2001 and 2002 tax years. Trial was held from April 16 to May 17, 2012. On Feb. 11, 2013, BNY Mellon received an adverse decision from the U.S. Tax Court. On Sept. 23, 2013, the U.S. Tax Court amended its prior ruling to allow BNY Mellon an interest expense deduction and to exclude certain items from taxable income. The net impact of the court rulings for all years involved and related interest decreased after-tax income in 2013 by $593 million. The U.S. Tax Court ruling was finalized on Feb. 20, 2014. On March 5, 2014, BNY Mellon appealed the decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. On Sept. 25, 2014, the government filed its response to our appeal. In addition to requesting that the denial of foreign tax credits be upheld, the government also requested a reversal of the interest deduction allowed by the Tax Court in the amended decision. If the interest deduction is ultimately disallowed, further income tax expense of approximately $100 million may be required. See Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Our federal income tax returns are closed to examination through 2010. Our New York State and New York City income tax returns are closed to examination through 2010. Our UK income tax returns are closed to examination through 2012.

Income taxes

BNY Mellon recorded an income tax provision of $280 million (24.4% effective tax rate) in the first quarter of 2015 and $232 million (25.1% effective tax rate) in the first quarter of 2014. The effective tax rates primarily reflect the tax benefit from foreign operations, tax-exempt income and consolidated investment management funds.

Our total tax reserves as of March 31, 2015 were $673 million compared with $669 million at Dec. 31, 2014. If these tax reserves were unnecessary, $673 million would affect the effective tax rate in future periods. We recognize accrued interest and penalties, if applicable, related to income taxes in income tax expense. Included in the balance sheet at March 31, 2015 is accrued interest, where applicable, of $200 million. The additional tax expense related to interest for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $1 million compared with $1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

It is reasonably possible the total reserve for uncertain tax positions could decrease within the next 12 months by an amount up to $38 million as a result of adjustments related to tax years that are still subject to examination.

On Nov. 10, 2009, BNY Mellon filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court challenging the IRS’s disallowance of certain foreign tax credits claimed for the 2001 and 2002 tax years. Trial was held from April 16 to May 17, 2012. On Feb. 11, 2013, BNY Mellon received an adverse decision from the U.S. Tax Court. On Sept. 23, 2013, the U.S. Tax Court amended its prior ruling to allow BNY Mellon an interest expense deduction and to exclude certain items from taxable income. The net impact of the court rulings for all years involved and related interest decreased after-tax income in 2013 by $593 million.

The U.S. Tax Court ruling was finalized on Feb. 20, 2014. On March 5, 2014, BNY Mellon appealed the decision to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. On Sept. 25, 2014, the government filed its response to our appeal. In addition to requesting that the denial of foreign tax credits be upheld, the government also requested a reversal of the interest deduction allowed by the Tax Court in the amended decision. If the interest deduction is ultimately disallowed, further income tax expense of approximately $100 million may be required. See Note 17 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Our federal income tax returns are closed to examination through 2010. Our New York State and New York City income tax returns are closed to examination through 2010. Our UK income tax returns are closed to examination through 2012.