XML 36 R20.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.24.2
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
3 Months Ended
Jun. 28, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
Litigation and other legal matters
In connection with the matters described below, the Company has accrued for loss contingencies where it believes that losses are probable and estimable. Although it is reasonably possible that actual losses could be in excess of the Company’s accrual, the Company is unable to estimate a reasonably possible loss or range of loss in excess of its accrual, due to various reasons, including, among others, that: (i) the proceedings are in early stages or no claims have been asserted, (ii) specific damages have not been sought in all of these matters, (iii) damages, if asserted, are considered unsupported and/or exaggerated, (iv) there is uncertainty as to the outcome of pending appeals, motions, or settlements, (v) there are significant factual issues to be resolved, and/or (vi) there are novel legal issues or unsettled legal theories presented. Any such excess loss could have a
material effect on the Company’s results of operations or cash flows for a particular period or on the Company’s financial condition.
The Company is currently involved in a commercial dispute related to a construction matter with related production objectives. Management assessed the potential outcomes of this dispute, considered available information, and consulted with legal counsel and as a result of this assessment recognized $50 million in Selling, general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024 as an accrual. The ultimate resolution of this dispute is uncertain, and the actual outcome may differ from the estimates made by management. Changes in circumstances or additional information may impact the Company’s assessment of its loss and could result in adjustments to the $50 million accrual, however, management currently believes that the resolution of this dispute will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. The Company will continue to monitor developments related to this matter and will adjust its accrual and disclosures accordingly in future reporting periods as additional information becomes available.
One of the Company's Brazilian subsidiaries received six assessments for certain sales and import taxes. Four of the assessments have been successfully definitively defeated. Two remain, where the Company was unsuccessful at the administrative level and filed annulment actions in federal court in Brasilia, Brazil. The first annulment action was filed on March 23, 2020; the updated value of that assessment inclusive of interest and penalties is 36 million Brazilian reals (approximately USD $7 million). The second annulment action was filed on September 19, 2023; the updated value of that assessment inclusive of interest and penalties is 59 million Brazilian reals (approximately USD $11 million). The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses to these assessments and will continue to vigorously oppose them, as well as any future assessments. The Company does not expect final judicial determination on any of these claims in the near future.
A foreign Tax Authority (“Tax Authority”) has assessed a cumulative total of approximately $285 million in taxes owed for multiple Flex legal entities within its jurisdiction for various fiscal years ranging from fiscal year 2010 through fiscal year 2020. The assessed amounts related to the denial of certain deductible intercompany payments and taxability of income earned outside such jurisdiction. The Company disagrees with the Tax Authority’s assessments and is actively contesting the assessments through the administrative and judicial processes.
As the final resolution of the above outstanding tax item remains uncertain, the Company continues to provide for the uncertain tax positions based on the more likely than not standard. While the resolution of the issues may result in tax liabilities, interest and penalties, which may be significantly higher than the amounts accrued for these matters, management currently believes that the resolution will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In addition to the matters discussed above, from time to time, the Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims, and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company defends itself vigorously against any such claims. Although the outcome of these matters is currently not determinable, management expects that any losses that are probable or reasonably possible of being incurred as a result of these matters, which are in excess of amounts already accrued in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, would not be material to the financial statements as a whole.