INCOME TAXES	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
INCOME TAXES
INCOME TAXES	9. 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 non-recurring 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, including the realizability of deferred tax assets. Volatility in earnings results in a taxing jurisdiction could result in a determination that additional valuation allowance adjustments may be warranted. While management does not currently believe any future valuation allowance adjustments will be significant, the actual results may be different and the impact of such amounts will be recorded in the period in which management’s assessment changes. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, and 2016, income tax (expense)/benefit related to continuing operations was $27 million and $(73) million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of (25)% and 17%. The year-to-date effective tax rate of (25)% in 2017 was primarily due to certain discrete items, including an income tax benefit of $32 million for a favorable resolution of income tax matters in Asia and an income tax benefit of $17 million related to a tax election in South America. The 2016 year-to-date effective tax rate of 17% was driven primarily by 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. Excluding the effect of these discrete items noted above, Bunge’s effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017, and 2016 was 20% and 26%, respectively. The reduction in the effective tax rate from 2016 to 2017, taking into account an exclusion of the discrete tax items noted above, is primarily attributable to favorable earnings mix and increased tax-exempt income. Bunge believes that it is reasonably possible that approximately $30 million of its unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized within the next twelve months as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations, or settlement with the tax authorities. 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.

9. 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 non-recurring 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, including the realizability of deferred tax assets. Volatility in earnings results in a taxing jurisdiction could result in a determination that additional valuation allowance adjustments may be warranted. While management does not currently believe any future valuation allowance adjustments will be significant, the actual results may be different and the impact of such amounts will be recorded in the period in which management’s assessment changes.

For the six months ended June 30, 2017, and 2016, income tax (expense)/benefit related to continuing operations was $27 million and $(73) million, respectively, resulting in effective tax rates of (25)% and 17%. The year-to-date effective tax rate of (25)% in 2017 was primarily due to certain discrete items, including an income tax benefit of $32 million for a favorable resolution of income tax matters in Asia and an income tax benefit of $17 million related to a tax election in South America. The 2016 year-to-date effective tax rate of 17% was driven primarily by 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. Excluding the effect of these discrete items noted above, Bunge’s effective tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2017, and 2016 was 20% and 26%, respectively. The reduction in the effective tax rate from 2016 to 2017, taking into account an exclusion of the discrete tax items noted above, is primarily attributable to favorable earnings mix and increased tax-exempt income.

Bunge believes that it is reasonably possible that approximately $30 million of its unrecognized tax benefits may be recognized within the next twelve months as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations, or settlement with the tax authorities.

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.