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INCOME TAXES | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2012
INCOME TAXES |
INCOME TAXES |
10. INCOME TAXES Income tax expense is provided on an interim basis based upon management’s estimate of the annual effective income tax rate and includes the tax effects of certain discrete items, such as changes in tax laws or tax rates or other unusual or nonrecurring tax adjustments in the interim period in which they occur. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The effective tax rate is highly dependent upon the geographic distribution of Bunge’s worldwide earnings or losses and tax regulations in each jurisdiction. Management regularly monitors the assumptions used in estimating its annual effective tax rate and adjusts estimates accordingly. If actual results differ from management’s estimates, reported income tax expense in future periods could be materially affected. As a global enterprise, Bunge files income tax returns that are subject to periodic examination and challenge by federal, state and foreign tax authorities. In many jurisdictions, income tax examinations, including settlement negotiations or litigation, may take several years to finalize. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular matter with the various tax authorities, management believes that the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the largest amount of tax benefit that will be more likely than not realized. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, Bunge decreased its liability for unrecognized tax benefits by $21 million and recorded a favorable adjustment to the tax provision of $8 million as a result of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. There were no other material changes to uncertain tax positions for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefit will increase or decrease during the next 12 months; however, management does not expect a material effect on results of operations or financial position. During the first quarter 2012, the Brazilian tax authorities proposed certain adjustments to the income tax returns for one of Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries for the years ended 2008 and 2009. The proposed adjustments totaled approximately $62 million plus applicable interest and penalties. Management, in consultation with external legal advisors, has reviewed and responded to the proposed adjustments and believes that it is more likely than not that it will prevail and, therefore, has not recorded an uncertain tax liability. In 2011, the Brazilian tax authorities commenced an examination of the income tax returns of one of Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries for the years ended 2005 to 2009 and proposed adjustments totaling approximately $160 million plus applicable interest and penalties. Management, in consultation with external legal advisors, has reviewed and responded to the proposed adjustments and believes that it is more likely than not that it will prevail and, therefore, has not recorded an uncertain tax liability. In 2010, the Brazilian tax authorities had proposed certain significant adjustments to the income tax returns of one of Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries for the years ended 2005 to 2007. The proposed adjustments totaled approximately $525 million plus applicable interest and penalties. In the fourth quarter of 2011, Bunge received a decision from the Tax Inspector that dismissed approximately $170 million of this tax claim against Bunge. Management is appealing the remainder of the case, and has not changed its position that it is more likely than not that it will prevail and, therefore, has not recorded an uncertain tax liability.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 136, 172 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS) -Number 109 -Paragraph 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 -LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy. Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6881521&loc=d3e23780-122690 + Details
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