Income Tax

6 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2018

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Tax

Income Tax

 Autodesk had income tax expense of $16.0 million, relative to pre-tax losses of $23.4 million for the three months ended July 31, 2018, and income tax expense of $17.6 million, relative to pre-tax losses of $126.4 million for the three months ended July 31, 2017. Autodesk had income tax expense of $34.6 million, relative to pre-tax losses of $87.2 million for the six months ended July 31, 2018, and income tax expense of $25.8 million, relative to pre-tax losses of $247.8 million for the six months ended July 31, 2017. The variance between the three months ended July 31, 2017 and July 31, 2018 was mainly due to a net tax benefit from an internal structure realignment in connection with the closure of our Switzerland operations. The tax benefit was partially offset with income taxes in profitable jurisdictions and withholdings taxes. Income tax expense for the six months ended July 31, 2018 increased primarily due to increased worldwide earnings, foreign taxes, and withholding taxes.

Autodesk regularly assesses the need for a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets. In making that assessment, Autodesk considers both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets to determine, based on the weight of available evidence, whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In evaluating the need for a valuation allowance, Autodesk considered cumulative losses in the United States arising from the Company's business model transition as a significant piece of negative evidence and established a valuation allowance against the Company’s U.S. deferred tax assets in fiscal 2016. Based on the positive and negative evidence as of July 31, 2018, the Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance for the U.S. deferred tax assets.

As of July 31, 2018, the Company had $343.1 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits, of which $310.0 million would reduce our valuation allowance, if recognized. The remaining $33.1 million would impact the effective tax rate, if recognized. It is possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will change in the next twelve months; however, an estimate of the range of the possible change cannot be made at this time.

The Internal Revenue Service is examining the Company's U.S. consolidated federal income tax returns for fiscal years 2014 and 2015.  While it is possible that the Company's tax positions may be challenged, the Company believes its positions are consistent with the tax law, and the balance sheet reflects appropriate liabilities for uncertain federal tax positions for the years being examined.

The U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) was signed into law on December 22, 2017, and provides broad and significant changes to the U.S. corporate income tax regime. As of July 31, 2018, Autodesk has not completed its determination of the accounting implications of the Tax Act. The provisional amounts recorded are based on Autodesk’s current interpretation and understanding of the Tax Act and may change as the Company receives additional clarification and implementation guidance and finalizes the analysis of all impacts and positions with regard to the Tax Act. As of July 31, 2018, there have been no material adjustments to provision amounts as were determined at January 31, 2018. As additional regulatory guidance is issued, Autodesk will continue to collect and analyze necessary data and may adjust provisional amounts previously recorded in the period in which the adjustments are made. Pursuant to Staff Accounting Bulletin 118 (“SAB 118”), Autodesk will complete the accounting for the tax effects of all provisions of the Tax Act within the required measurement period not to extend beyond one year from the enactment date.