INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	8.INCOME TAXES Income tax expense is provided on an interim basis based on 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 on 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, income tax expense related to continuing operations was $270 million and $150 million, respectively. The related effective tax rates were 33% and 22%. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, resulted mainly from geographical earnings mix that included profits in higher tax jurisdictions and the establishment of valuation allowances. Income tax expense in 2014 included $53 million of discrete tax benefits, primarily resulting from a deferred tax asset recorded for operating losses of a subsidiary effectively taxable in Brazil. 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 difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular matter, management believes that the consolidated financial statements reflect the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized. Bunge had received from the Brazilian tax authorities proposed adjustments (reduced by existing net operating loss carryforwards) totaling an aggregate amount of 1,177 million and 1,135 million Brazilian reais ($296 million and $427 million) as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, plus applicable interest and penalties, related to multiple examinations of income tax returns for certain subsidiaries for years up to 2010. 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 Bunge will prevail on the majority of the proposed adjustments. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Bunge had recognized uncertain tax positions related to these tax assessments of 59 million and 38 million Brazilian reais ($15 million and $14 million, respectively). In 2014, the Brazilian tax authorities commenced an audit of Bunge’s largest Brazilian subsidiary for the tax years 2010, 2011 and 2012. In addition, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Bunge’s Argentine subsidiary had received income tax assessments relating to fiscal years 2006 and 2007 with a claim of approximately 436 million Argentine pesos (approximately $46 million and $51 million, respectively), plus applicable interest on the outstanding amount due of approximately 1,024 million and 907 million Argentine pesos as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (approximately $109 million and $106 million, respectively). Management, in consultation with external legal advisors, has received and responded to the proposed adjustments and believes that it is more likely than not that Bunge will prevail on the proposed adjustments. Fiscal years 2008 and 2009 are currently being audited by the tax authorities (see also Note 14).

8.INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense is provided on an interim basis based on 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 on 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 nine months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, income tax expense related to continuing operations was $270 million and $150 million, respectively. The related effective tax rates were 33% and 22%. The higher effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, resulted mainly from geographical earnings mix that included profits in higher tax jurisdictions and the establishment of valuation allowances. Income tax expense in 2014 included $53 million of discrete tax benefits, primarily resulting from a deferred tax asset recorded for operating losses of a subsidiary effectively taxable in Brazil.

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 difficult to predict the final outcome or timing of resolution of any particular matter, management believes that the consolidated financial statements reflect the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized.

Bunge had received from the Brazilian tax authorities proposed adjustments (reduced by existing net operating loss carryforwards) totaling an aggregate amount of 1,177 million and 1,135 million Brazilian reais ($296 million and $427 million) as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, plus applicable interest and penalties, related to multiple examinations of income tax returns for certain subsidiaries for years up to 2010. 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 Bunge will prevail on the majority of the proposed adjustments. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Bunge had recognized uncertain tax positions related to these tax assessments of 59 million and 38 million Brazilian reais ($15 million and $14 million, respectively). In 2014, the Brazilian tax authorities commenced an audit of Bunge’s largest Brazilian subsidiary for the tax years 2010, 2011 and 2012.

In addition, as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, Bunge’s Argentine subsidiary had received income tax assessments relating to fiscal years 2006 and 2007 with a claim of approximately 436 million Argentine pesos (approximately $46 million and $51 million, respectively), plus applicable interest on the outstanding amount due of approximately 1,024 million and 907 million Argentine pesos as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (approximately $109 million and $106 million, respectively). Management, in consultation with external legal advisors, has received and responded to the proposed adjustments and believes that it is more likely than not that Bunge will prevail on the proposed adjustments. Fiscal years 2008 and 2009 are currently being audited by the tax authorities (see also Note 14).