INCOME TAXES	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	9. 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. For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, income tax expense related to continuing operations was $73 million and $40 million, respectively. The related effective tax rates were 32% and 25%, respectively. Included in these effective tax rates were approximately $31 million and $5 million, respectively, of discrete items. 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 March 31, 2013, Bunge increased its liability for uncertain tax positions by $44 million and recorded income tax expense as a result of recently published litigation precedents in Brazil. Of this amount, $27 million is included in income taxes related to income from continuing operations and $17 million is included in discontinued operations, net of tax. Also during the three months ended March 31, 2013, Bunge recorded income tax expense of $4 million related to the finalization of a tax audit in Europe. During 2011, the Brazilian IRS commenced an examination of the income tax returns of one of Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries for the years 2005-2009 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 IRS had proposed certain significant adjustments to the income tax returns for one of Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries for the years 2005 to 2007. The proposed adjustments totaled approximately $525 million plus applicable interest and penalties. In late 2011, Bunge received a decision from the Tax Inspector that dismissed approximately $170 million of the Brazilian IRS’s case 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.

9. 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.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, income tax expense related to continuing operations was $73 million and $40 million, respectively. The related effective tax rates were 32% and 25%, respectively. Included in these effective tax rates were approximately $31 million and $5 million, respectively, of discrete items.

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 March 31, 2013, Bunge increased its liability for uncertain tax positions by $44 million and recorded income tax expense as a result of recently published litigation precedents in Brazil. Of this amount, $27 million is included in income taxes related to income from continuing operations and $17 million is included in discontinued operations, net of tax. Also during the three months ended March 31, 2013, Bunge recorded income tax expense of $4 million related to the finalization of a tax audit in Europe.

During 2011, the Brazilian IRS commenced an examination of the income tax returns of one of Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries for the years 2005-2009 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 IRS had proposed certain significant adjustments to the income tax returns for one of Bunge’s Brazilian subsidiaries for the years 2005 to 2007. The proposed adjustments totaled approximately $525 million plus applicable interest and penalties. In late 2011, Bunge received a decision from the Tax Inspector that dismissed approximately $170 million of the Brazilian IRS’s case 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.