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INCOME TAXES Footnote
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes [Note Text Block]
INCOME TAXES
International Paper made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $6 million and $26 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following table presents a rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued estimated interest and penalties for the three months ended March 31, 2016: 
In millions
Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
Accrued Estimated
Interest and Tax
Penalties
Balance at December 31, 2015
$
(150
)
 
$
(34
)
Activity for three months ended March 31, 2016
26

 
(1
)
Balance at March 31, 2016
$
(124
)
 
$
(35
)

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 $24 million during the next 12 months.

Included in the Company’s income tax provisions for the three months ended March 31, 2016, is $74 million of income tax benefits related to special items. There were no tax benefits related to special items for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The components of the net provision related to special items were as follows: 
 
Three Months Ended
March 31,
In millions
2016
 
2015
Special items
$
(3
)
 
$
—

Tax-related adjustments:
 
 
 
Internal restructurings
(57
)
 
—

2010-2012 IRS audit closure
(14
)
 
—

Income tax provision (benefit) related to special items
$
(74
)
 
$
—