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INCOME TAXES
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES
Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
Dollars in Millions2021202020212020
Earnings Before Income Taxes$2,157 $2,257 $6,240 $3,580 
Provision for Income Taxes605 379 1,598 2,548 
Effective Tax Rate28.0 %16.8 %25.6 %71.2 %

Income taxes in interim periods are determined based on the estimated annual effective tax rates and the tax impact of discrete items that are reflected immediately. The effective tax rates in 2021 and 2020 were impacted by low jurisdictional tax rates attributed to the unwinding of inventory fair value adjustments and intangible asset amortization, an IPRD impairment charge and contingent value rights fair value adjustments that are not taxable or deductible. The nine months ended September 30, 2020 includes an $853 million deferred tax charge resulting from an internal transfer of certain intangible assets to the U.S. and an additional $266 million GILTI tax charge upon finalization of the Otezla* divestiture tax consequences with tax authorities. Additional changes to the effective tax rate may occur in future periods due to various reasons, including changes to the estimated pretax earnings mix and tax reserves and revised interpretations or changes to the relevant tax code.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2021 could decrease in the range of approximately $430 million to $480 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.

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. As previously disclosed, BMS received several notices of proposed adjustments from the IRS related to transfer pricing and other tax positions for the 2008 to 2012 tax years. BMS disagrees with the IRS’s positions and continues to work cooperatively with the IRS to resolve these open tax audits. 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.