Income Taxes

In calculating the provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimate of the annual effective tax rate based upon the facts and circumstances known at each interim period. On a quarterly basis, the actual effective tax rate is adjusted, as appropriate, based upon changed facts and circumstances, if any, as compared to those forecasted at the beginning of the fiscal year and each interim period thereafter.

The statutory tax rate in Ireland is being used as a comparison since the Company is domiciled in Ireland. For the three months ended December 31, 2018, the Company's effective tax rate for continuing operations was 44% and was higher than the statutory tax rate of 12.5% primarily due to valuation allowance adjustments as a result of tax law changes and tax rate differentials, partially offset by the benefits of continuing global tax planning initiatives. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company's effective tax rate for continuing operations was 128% and was higher than the statutory tax rate of 12.5% primarily due to the discrete net impacts of U.S. Tax Reform, the tax impact of the divestiture of the Scott Safety business and tax rate differentials, partially offset by the benefits of continuing global tax planning initiatives and tax audit closures.

Valuation Allowance

The Company reviews the realizability of its deferred tax assets on a quarterly basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a review is required. In determining the requirement for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial results of the legal entity or consolidated group recording the net deferred tax asset are considered, along with any other positive or negative evidence. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowances may be necessary.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, as a result of changes to U.S. tax law, the Company recorded a discrete tax charge of $76 million related to valuation allowance on certain U.S. deferred tax assets.

Uncertain Tax Positions

At September 30, 2018, the Company had gross tax effected unrecognized tax benefits of $2,358 million, of which $2,225 million, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. Total net accrued interest at September 30, 2018 was approximately $119 million (net of tax benefit). The interest and penalties accrued during the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were immaterial. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, tax audit resolutions resulted in a $25 million net benefit to income tax expense.

In the U.S., fiscal years 2015 through 2016 are currently under exam by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") for certain legal entities. Additionally, the Company is currently under exam in the following major non-U.S. jurisdictions:



Tax Jurisdiction		Tax Years Covered

Belgium		2015 - 2017
China		2008 - 2016
France		2010 - 2012; 2015 - 2016
Germany		2007 - 2016
United Kingdom		2012 - 2015

Impacts of Tax Legislation

On December 22, 2017, the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (H.R. 1) was enacted and significantly revised U.S. corporate income tax by, among other things, lowering corporate income tax rates, imposing a one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, and implementing a territorial tax system and various base erosion minimum tax provisions.

In connection with the Company’s analysis of the impact of the U.S. tax law changes, the Company recorded a provisional net tax charge of $108 million during fiscal 2018 consistent with guidance prescribed by Staff Accounting Bulletin 118. This provisional net tax charge arises from a benefit of $108 million due to the remeasurement of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities, offset by the Company’s tax charge relating to the one-time transition tax on deemed repatriated earnings, inclusive of all relevant taxes, of $216 million. The Company’s estimated benefit of the remeasurement of U.S. deferred tax assets and liabilities increased from $101 million as of December 31, 2017 to $108 million as of September 30, 2018 due to calculation refinement of the Company’s estimated impact. The Company remeasured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21% or the blended fiscal 2018 rate of 24.5%. The Company’s tax charge for transition tax decreased from $305 million as of December 31, 2017 to $216 million as of September 30, 2018 due to further analysis of the Company’s post-1986 non-U.S. earnings and profits (“E&P”) previously deferred from U.S. federal taxation and refinement of the estimated impact of tax law changes. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company completed its analysis of all enactment-date income tax effects of the U.S. tax law change with no further adjustment to the provisional amounts recorded as of September 30, 2018.

During the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, other tax legislation was adopted in various jurisdictions. These law changes did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Other Tax Matters

In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company completed the sale of its Scott Safety business to 3M Company. Refer to Note 3, "Acquisitions and Divestitures," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information. In connection with the sale, the Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $114 million and income tax expense of $30 million.

In the first quarter of fiscal 2018, the Company recorded $154 million of significant restructuring and impairment costs. Refer to Note 8, "Significant Restructuring and Impairment Costs," of the notes to consolidated financial statements for additional information. The restructuring costs generated a $23 million tax benefit, which reflects the Company’s current tax position in these jurisdictions.