Restructuring and Other Charges (Note)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Restructuring and Related Activities [Note Text Block]

2015: During 2015, total restructuring and other charges of $252 million before taxes were recorded. These charges included:

In millions	2015
Early debt extinguishment costs (see Note 13)	$	207
Timber monetization restructuring	16
Legal liability reserve adjustment	15
Riegelwood mill conversion costs net of proceeds from the sale of Carolina Coated Bristols brand (a)	8
Other	6
Total	$	252

(a) Includes $5 million of severance charges, $24 million of accelerated depreciation, sale proceeds of $22 million and $1 million of other charges.

Included in the $252 million of restructuring and other charges is severance expense of $5 million which is related to 69 employees.

2014: During 2014, total restructuring and other charges of $846 million before taxes were recorded. These charges included:

In millions	2014
Early debt extinguishment costs (see Note 13)	$	276
Courtland mill shutdown (a)	554
Other (b)	16
Total	$	846

(a) Includes $464 million of accelerated depreciation, $24 million of inventory impairment charges, $26 million of severance charges and $40 million of other charges which are recorded in the Printing Papers segment.

(b) Includes $15 million of severance charges.

Included in the $846 million of restructuring and other charges is severance expense of $41 million which is related to 957 employees.

2013: During 2013, total restructuring and other charges of $156 million before taxes were recorded. These charges included:

In millions	2013
Early debt extinguishment costs (see Note 13)	$	25
Courtland mill shutdown (a)	118
Box plant closures	(13		)
Augusta paper machine shutdown (b)	45
Insurance reimbursements	(30		)
Other (c)	11
Total	$	156

(a) Includes $73 million of accelerated depreciation and other non-cash charges, $42 million of severance charges and $3 million of other charges which are recorded in the Printing Papers segment. During 2013, the Company accelerated depreciation for certain Courtland assets, and diligently evaluated certain other assets for possible alternative uses by one of our other businesses. The net book value of these assets at December 31, 2013 was approximately $470 million.

(b) Includes $39 million of accelerated depreciation charges, $2 million of severance charges and $4 million of other charges which are recorded in the Consumer Packaging segment.

(c) Includes $2 million of severance charges.

Included in the $156 million of restructuring and other charges is severance expense of $46 million which is related to 1,384 employees.

ALTERNATIVE FUEL MIXTURE TAX CREDIT

On July 19, 2011 the Company filed an amended 2009 tax return claiming alternative fuel mixture tax credits as non-taxable income. The amended position has been accepted by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in the closing of the IRS tax audit for the years 2006 - 2009. As a result, during 2013, the Company recognized an income tax benefit of $753 million related to the non-taxability of the alternative fuel mixture tax credits.