INCOME TAXES |
6 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Jun. 30, 2018 | |
| Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| INCOME TAXES | 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 within 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, 2018 and 2017, income tax (expense) benefit related to continuing operations was $(21) million and $27 million. The higher effective tax rate for the second quarter of 2018 was primarily due to lower overall pretax income for the period and an unfavorable earnings mix associated with pretax losses in certain jurisdictions. For the six months ended June 30, 2017, the effective tax rate reflected certain discrete items, including an income tax benefit of $32 million for favorable resolution of income tax matters in Asia and an income tax benefit of $17 million related to a tax election in South America. As a global enterprise, Bunge files income tax returns that are subject to periodic examination and challenged 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. On December 22, 2017, H.R. 1, commonly known as the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (the “Tax Act”) was signed into U.S. law. The Tax Act lowers the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% starting in 2018, introduces further limitations on the deductibility of interest expense, and imposes a one-time transition tax (“Transition Tax”) on deemed repatriated earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries (non-United States subsidiaries owned by Bunge U.S. affiliates). In addition, the Tax Act introduces additional base-broadening measures, including Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) and the Base-Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax (“BEAT”). Bunge recognized the income tax effects of the Tax Act in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which provides SEC staff guidance for the application of ASC 740, Income Taxes, in the reporting period in which the Tax Act was signed into law. As such, our financial results reflect the income tax effects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC Topic 740 is complete and provisional amounts for those specific income tax effects of the Tax Legislation for which the accounting under ASC Topic 740 is incomplete but a reasonable estimate could be determined. Pursuant to SAB 118, adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded by us as of December 31, 2017 that are identified within a subsequent measurement period of up to one year from the enactment date will be included as an adjustment to the tax expense from continuing operations in the period the amounts are determined. Bunge recognized a provisional charge of $60 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, associated with revaluing deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new statutory rate, accruing the Transition Tax, and accruing incremental withholding taxes on future repatriation of earnings to the United States. During the second quarter of 2018, Bunge continued to evaluate and analyze its assessment of the Tax Act, which involves monitoring guidance from the U.S. taxing authorities and refining tax return positions. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, Bunge did not record any adjustments to the provisional amounts recorded in 2017. Bunge expects to complete its analysis during 2018, and record an adjustment to tax expense, if applicable. Bunge also expects to conclude on the policy election to be made in connection with the accounting for GILTI later in 2018. |