Variable Interest Entities (Note)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Variable Interest Entities [Abstract]

Variable Interest Entities And Preferred Securities Of Subsidiaries

In connection with the 2006 sale of approximately 5.6 million acres of forestlands, International Paper received installment notes (the "Timber Notes") totaling approximately $4.8 billion. The Timber Notes were used as collateral for borrowings from third party lenders, which effectively monetized the Timber Notes through the creation of newly formed special purposes entities (the "Entities"). The monetization structure preserved the tax deferral that resulted from the 2006 forestlands sales. During 2015, International Paper initiated a series of actions in order to extend the 2006 monetization structure and maintain the long-term nature of the deferred tax liability. The Entities, with assets and liabilities primarily consisting of the Timber Notes and third-party bank loans (the "Extension Loans"), were restructured which resulted in the formation of wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote special purpose entities (the "2015 Financing Entities").

In August 2021, the Timber Notes of $4.8 billion and the Extension Loans of $4.2 billion related to the 2015 Financing Entities both matured. We settled the Extension Loans at their maturity with the proceeds from the Timber Notes. This resulted in cash proceeds of approximately $630 million representing our equity in the variable interest entities. Maturity of the installment notes and termination of the monetization structure also resulted in a $72 million tax liability that was paid in the fourth quarter of 2021. As of December 31, 2021, the remaining deferred tax liability was $813 million. The 2015 timber monetization restructuring is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. An unfavorable resolution in such current examination, future administrative procedures, or future tax litigation could result in material, accelerated cash tax payments as a result of all or a portion of deferred tax liability becoming payable.

Activity between the Company and the 2015 Financing Entities was as follows: 

In millions	2021		2020		2019
Revenue (a)	$	61	$	95	$	95
Expense (a)	34		122		128
Cash receipts (b)	95		95		95
Cash payments (c)	38		157		128

(a)The revenue and expense are included in Interest expense, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations.

(b)The cash receipts are interest received on the Financial assets of variable interest entities.

(c)The cash payments represent interest paid on Current nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities.

In connection with the acquisition of Temple-Inland in February 2012, two special purpose entities became wholly-owned subsidiaries of International Paper. The use of the two wholly-owned special purpose entities discussed below preserved the tax deferral that resulted from the 2007 Temple-Inland timberlands sales. As of December 31, 2021, this deferred tax liability was $487 million, which will be settled with the maturity of the notes in 2027.

In October 2007, Temple-Inland sold 1.55 million acres of timberland for $2.4 billion. The total consideration consisted almost entirely of notes due in 2027 issued by the buyer of the timberland, which Temple-Inland contributed to two wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote special purpose entities. The notes are shown in Long-term financial assets of variable interest entities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and are supported by $2.4 billion of irrevocable letters of credit issued by three banks, which are required to maintain minimum credit ratings on their long-term debt.

In December 2007, Temple-Inland's two wholly-owned special purpose entities borrowed $2.1 billion which is shown in Long-term nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities. The loans are repayable in 2027 and are secured by the $2.4 billion of notes and the irrevocable letters of credit securing the notes, and are nonrecourse to us. The loan agreements provide that if a credit rating of any of the banks issuing the letters of credit is downgraded below the specified threshold, the letters of credit issued by that bank must be replaced within 30 days with letters of credit from another qualifying financial institution.

As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, the fair value of the notes receivable was $2.3 billion. As of both December 31, 2021 and 2020, the fair value of this debt was $2.1 billion. The notes receivable and debt are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy, which is further defined in Note 17.

Activity between the Company and the 2007 financing entities was as follows:

In millions	2021		2020		2019
Revenue (a)	$	24	$	41	$	79
Expense (b)	24		43		76
Cash receipts (c)	5		29		62
Cash payments (d)	16		40		69

(a)The revenue is included in Interest expense, net, in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and includes approximately $19 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively, of accretion income for the amortization of the purchase accounting adjustment on the Financial assets of variable interest entities.

(b) The expense is included in Interest expense, net, in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations and includes approximately $7 million for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 respectively, of accretion expense for the amortization of the purchase accounting adjustment on the Long-term nonrecourse financial liabilities of variable interest entities.

(c) The cash receipts are interest received on the Financial assets of special purpose entities.

(d) The cash payments are interest paid on Nonrecourse financial liabilities of special purpose entities.