XML 43 R19.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate for the three months ended October 1, 2016 was a benefit of 16.4% on a net loss compared to expense of 11.5% on net income for the three months ended September 26, 2015. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended October 1, 2016 was a benefit of 17.2% on a net loss reported in the period compared to expense of 37.3% on net income for the nine months ended September 26, 2015.

Our tax rate is subject to adjustment over the balance of the fiscal year due to, among other things: income tax rate changes by governments; the jurisdictions in which our profits are determined to be earned and taxed; changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets and liabilities; adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns; adjustments based on differing interpretations of the applicable transfer pricing standards; changes in available tax credits, grants and other incentives; changes in stock-based compensation expense; changes in tax laws or the interpretation of such tax laws (for example, proposals for fundamental U.S. international tax reform); changes in U.S. GAAP; expiration of or the inability to renew tax rulings or tax holiday incentives; and the repatriation of earnings with respect to which we have not previously provided for taxes.

Israel passed legislation in January 2016, effective immediately, reducing the tax rate from 26.5% to 25%. The impact on our effective tax rate was minimal.

The United Kingdom passed legislation in September 2016, reducing the tax rate effective April 1, 2020, from 18% to 17%. We expect the impact on our effective tax rate to be minimal.

The total liability for uncertain tax positions was $386.9 million and $340.3 million as of October 1, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, before considering the federal tax benefit of certain state and local items.

We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. The total amount accrued for interest and penalties in the liability for uncertain tax positions was $62.5 million and $52.1 million as of October 1, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

We file income tax returns in numerous jurisdictions and are therefore subject to audits by tax authorities. Our primary income tax jurisdictions are Ireland, the U.S., Israel, Belgium, France, and the U.K.

Although we believe that the tax estimates are reasonable and that we prepare our tax filings in accordance with all applicable tax laws, the final determination with respect to any tax audit and any related litigation could be materially different from estimates or from historical income tax provisions and accruals. The results of an audit or litigation could have a material effect on our operating results and/or cash flows in the periods for which that determination is made. In addition, future period earnings may be adversely impacted by litigation costs, settlements, penalties, and/or interest assessments.

The IRS audit of our fiscal years ended June 27, 2009 and June 26, 2010 had previously concluded with the issuance of a statutory notice of deficiency on August 27, 2014. While we had previously agreed on certain adjustments and made associated payments of $8.0 million (inclusive of interest) in November 2014, the statutory notice of deficiency asserted various additional adjustments, including transfer pricing adjustments. The statutory notice of deficiency's adjustments for fiscal years 2009 and 2010 asserted an incremental tax obligation of approximately $68.9 million, inclusive of interest and penalties. We disagree with the IRS’s positions asserted in the statutory notice of deficiency. To contest the IRS's adjustments, in January 2015 we paid the incremental tax obligation (a prerequisite to contesting the proposed adjustments in U.S. district court), and in June 2015, we filed an administrative request for a refund with the IRS. The payment was recorded during the three months ended March 28, 2015 as a deferred charge on the balance sheet given our anticipated action to recover this amount. The IRS subsequently denied our request for a refund. We anticipate filing a complaint in U.S. district court claiming a refund of the paid amounts prior to August 2017. An unfavorable resolution of this matter could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements in future periods.

We have ongoing audits in multiple jurisdictions the resolution of which remains uncertain. These jurisdictions include, but are not limited to, the United States and Belgium. The IRS is auditing our fiscal years ended June 25, 2011 and June 30, 2012, and may make adjustments consistent with the adjustments made in the statutory notice of deficiency for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. In February 2016, the Belgium Tax Authority notified us that all Belgium locations will be audited for the years ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014. At this time, we cannot predict the outcome of any audit or related litigation.