19.

Income Taxes

Mattel’s provision for income taxes was $38.8 million and $21.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, Mattel recognized net discrete tax expense of $0.8 million and net discrete benefits of $2.8 million, respectively, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, Mattel recognized net discrete tax benefits of $15.1 million and $51.4 million, respectively, primarily related to reassessments of prior years’ tax liabilities based on the status of audits and tax filings in various jurisdictions around the world, settlements, and enacted tax law changes.

Mattel may incur a capital loss, for tax purposes only, in the next twelve months due to the sale of assets that are not significant to its business. This capital loss is due to the disposition of assets with significant tax basis in excess of book basis. Mattel does not expect to utilize this capital loss of approximately $300 million in the applicable five-year carryforward period for tax purposes, and thus is fully offset with a corresponding valuation allowance.

In the normal course of business, Mattel is regularly audited by federal, state, and foreign tax authorities. Based on the current status of federal, state and foreign audits, Mattel believes it is reasonably possible that in the next twelve months, the total unrecognized tax benefits could decrease by approximately $3 million related to the settlement of tax audits and/or the expiration of statutes of limitations. The ultimate settlement of any particular issue with the applicable taxing authority could have a material impact on Mattel’s consolidated financial statements.