XML 32 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.5.0.2
INCOME TAXES Footnote
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes [Note Text Block]
INCOME TAXES
International Paper made income tax payments, net of refunds, of $73 million and $86 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

The following table presents a rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued estimated interest and penalties for the six months ended June 30, 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
)
Activity for the three months ended June 30, 2016
20

 
5

Balance at June 30, 2016
$
(104
)
 
$
(30
)

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 $5 million during the next 12 months.

Included in the Company’s income tax provisions for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, are $(67) million and $(39) million of income tax benefits, respectively, related to special items. The components of the net provision related to special items were as follows: 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
In millions
2016
 
2015
Special items
$
(13
)
 
$
(67
)
Tax-related adjustments:
 
 
 
Internal restructurings
(63
)
 
5

Return to accrual
23

 
23

2010-2012 IRS audit closure
(14
)
 
—

Income tax provision (benefit) related to special items
$
(67
)
 
$
(39
)