Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax Disclosure

Income Taxes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"). In the period ended December 31, 2017, we recorded a provisional discrete net tax benefit related to the transition tax, remeasurement of deferred taxes, our reassessment of permanently reinvested earnings, uncertain tax positions

and valuation allowances, and actions taken in anticipation of the Tax Act. The provisional amounts recorded in 2017 were finalized in 2018.  During 2018, we recorded discrete net tax expense related to new guidance issued during 2018 affecting tax benefits we recorded in the period ended December 31, 2017 for the transition tax and certain tax planning actions taken in anticipation of the Tax Act.  At December 31, 2018, we finalized our policy and elected to use the period cost method for global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions and therefore have not recorded deferred taxes for basis differences expected to reverse in future periods.

In the first quarter of 2018, we recorded discrete net tax expense of $82 primarily related to guidance issued affecting tax benefits we recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 for certain tax planning actions taken in anticipation of the Tax Act. In the third quarter of 2018, we recorded discrete net tax expense of $26 as a result of finalizing estimates related to the transition tax and remeasurement of deferred taxes.

The Brazilian tax authority, Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil ("RFB"), concluded an audit for the taxable periods from 2008-2013. This audit included a review of our determinations of amortization of certain goodwill arising from prior acquisitions in Brazil, and the RFB has proposed adjustments that effectively eliminate the goodwill amortization benefits related to these transactions. Administrative appeals have been exhausted, and the dispute is moving into the judicial phase. The amount of the proposed tax adjustments and penalties is approximately $90 as of September 30, 2019 (translated at the September 30, 2019 currency exchange rate).  The amount ultimately in dispute will be significantly greater because of interest. We believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to vigorously defend these proposed adjustments; however, it is expected to take a number of years to reach resolution of this matter.