Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2022

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income TaxesThe effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2022 was 6.6 percent, a decrease from 18.4 percent in the prior year. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 was 9.5 percent, as compared to 18.8 percent in the prior year. The primary factor that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for third quarter 2022 was the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3). The primary factors that decreased the Company's effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2022 were the tax efficient structure associated with the third quarter 2022 gain on split-off of the Food Safety business (see Note 3) and the tax impact associated with the second quarter 2022 charge related to steps toward resolving Combat Arms Earplugs litigation (discussed in Note 14).

The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021 are $997 million and $1,112 million, respectively. The decrease in unrecognized tax benefits includes a decrease associated with the resolution of the 2017 IRS audit. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next 12 months. At this time, the Company is not able to estimate the range by which these potential events could impact 3M’s unrecognized tax benefits in the next 12 months.

As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, the Company had valuation allowances of $114 million and $142 million on its deferred tax assets, respectively.