INCOME TAXES



	Three Months Ended March 31,
Dollars in Millions	2019			2018
Earnings Before Income Taxes	$	1,979		$	1,779
Provision for Income Taxes	264			284
Effective Tax Rate	13.3		%	16.0		%

The reduction in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the recognition of prior period tax credits in 2019. Jurisdictional tax rates and other tax impacts attributed to non-deductible R&D charges, equity investment fair value adjustments and other specified items decreased the effective tax rate by 1.2% in the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018. The tax impact of these discrete items are reflected immediately and are not considered in estimating the annual effective tax rate. Additional changes to the effective tax rate may occur in future periods due to various reasons including pretax earnings mix, tax reserves, cash repatriations and revised interpretations of the relevant tax code.

BMS is currently under examination by a number of tax authorities, which have proposed or are considering proposing material adjustments to tax positions for issues such as transfer pricing, certain tax credits and the deductibility of certain expenses. It is reasonably possible that new issues will be raised by tax authorities, which may require adjustments to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits; however, an estimate of such adjustments cannot reasonably be made at this time.

It is also reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2019 could decrease in the range of approximately $355 million to $395 million in the next twelve months as a result of the settlement of certain tax audits and other events. The expected change in unrecognized tax benefits may result in the payment of additional taxes, adjustment of certain deferred taxes and/or recognition of tax benefits. It is reasonably possible that new issues will be raised by tax authorities that may increase unrecognized tax benefits; however, an estimate of such increases cannot reasonably be made at this time. BMS believes that it has adequately provided for all open tax years by tax jurisdiction.