INCOME TAXES	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2016
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, 2016 and 2015, income tax expense related to continuing operations was $118 million and $270 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 19% and 33%. The lower rate in 2016 was primarily due to certain discrete items, including an income tax benefit of $60 million recorded for a change in estimate resulting from a tax election for North America and an income tax benefit of $11 million recorded for income tax refund claims in Europe, partially offset by an income tax charge of $32 million recorded for an uncertain tax position related to Asia. As mentioned above, during the second quarter of 2016, one of Bunge’s European subsidiaries amended a tax position for the for 2010-2015 tax years as a result of the receipt of a tax ruling. However, given the unique factual circumstances and the uncertain state of the applicable tax regulations, Bunge recorded an unrecognized tax benefit of $253 million recorded in the second quarter of 2016. As of September 30, 2016, if the unrecognized tax benefits are ultimately recognized, Bunge would receive a cash refund of $62 million and tax credit carryforwards of $192 million. The tax credit carryforwards would be assessed for recoverability and it is anticipated that they will be fully offset by a valuation allowance as it is not more likely than not that Bunge would realize a benefit from the tax credit carryforwards. 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 condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized.

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, 2016 and 2015, income tax expense related to continuing operations was $118 million and $270 million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of 19% and 33%. The lower rate in 2016 was primarily due to certain discrete items, including an income tax benefit of $60 million recorded for a change in estimate resulting from a tax election for North America and an income tax benefit of $11 million recorded for income tax refund claims in Europe, partially offset by an income tax charge of $32 million recorded for an uncertain tax position related to Asia.

As mentioned above, during the second quarter of 2016, one of Bunge’s European subsidiaries amended a tax position for the for 2010-2015 tax years as a result of the receipt of a tax ruling. However, given the unique factual circumstances and the uncertain state of the applicable tax regulations, Bunge recorded an unrecognized tax benefit of $253 million recorded in the second quarter of 2016. As of September 30, 2016, if the unrecognized tax benefits are ultimately recognized, Bunge would receive a cash refund of $62 million and tax credit carryforwards of $192 million. The tax credit carryforwards would be assessed for recoverability and it is anticipated that they will be fully offset by a valuation allowance as it is not more likely than not that Bunge would realize a benefit from the tax credit carryforwards.

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 condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the largest amount of tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized.