XML 72 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.0.814
INCOME TAXES (Note)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes [Note Text Block]
INCOME TAXES
International Paper made income tax payments, net of refunds, as follows: 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
In millions
2015
 
2014
Income tax payments, net
$
118

 
$
193


The following table presents a rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued estimated interest and penalties for the nine months ended September 30, 2015: 
In millions
Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
Accrued Estimated
Interest and Tax
Penalties
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(158
)
 
$
(41
)
Activity for three months ended March 31, 2015
8

 
7

Activity for the three months ended June 30, 2015
—

 
(1
)
Activity for three months ended September 30, 2015
1

 
2

Balance at September 30, 2015
$
(149
)
 
$
(33
)

The Company currently estimates, that as a result of ongoing discussions, pending tax settlements and expirations of statutes of limitations, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by approximately $40 million during the next 12 months.
Included in the Company’s income tax provisions for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, are $109 million and $351 million of income tax benefits, respectively, related to special items. The components of the net provision related to special items were as follows: 
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
In millions
2015
 
2014
Special items
$
(70
)
 
$
(360
)
Tax-related adjustments:
 
 
 
Return to Accrual
23

 
—

Internal restructurings
(62
)
 
—

State legislative changes
—

 
10

Other
—

 
(1
)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to special items
$
(109
)
 
$
(351
)