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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
The components of the Company’s income tax provision from continuing operations are as follows (in millions):
 202420232022
Tax expense at Ireland statutory rate of 12.5%
$190 $139 $139 
U.S. state income tax, net of federal benefit42 30 (26)
Income subject to the U.S. federal tax rate
63 42 (101)
Income subject to rates different than the statutory rate(204)44 67 
Reserve and valuation allowance adjustments(139)(559)(301)
Intellectual property transactions and adjustments— (176)— 
Impact of acquisitions and divestitures121 — — 
Restructuring and impairment costs38 12 40 
Income tax provision (benefit)$111 $(468)$(182)
Effective tax rate7 %(42)%(16)%

For fiscal 2024, the effective tax rate for continuing operations was 7% and was lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to tax reserve adjustments as the result of tax audit resolutions and expired statute of limitations for certain tax years, valuation allowance adjustments and the benefits of continuing global tax planning initiatives, partially offset by the establishment of a deferred tax liability on the outside basis difference of the Company’s investment in certain subsidiaries as a result of the planned divestiture of its R&LC HVAC business and the unfavorable impact of impairment and restructuring charges.

For fiscal 2023, the effective tax rate for continuing operations was (42)% and was lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to the favorable tax impacts of intellectual property tax adjustments, tax reserve adjustments as the result of tax audit
resolutions and remeasurements, valuation allowance adjustments and the benefits of continuing global tax planning initiatives, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of impairment and restructuring charges.

For fiscal 2022, the effective tax rate for continuing operations was (16)% and was lower than the statutory tax rate primarily due to favorable impact of tax reserve adjustments as the result of expired statute of limitations for certain tax years and the benefits of continuing global tax planning initiatives, partially offset by the unfavorable impact of impairment and restructuring charges and the establishment of a deferred tax liability on the outside basis difference of the Company's investment in certain subsidiaries as a result of the planned divestitures.

Valuation Allowances

The Company reviews the realizability of its deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances on a quarterly basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that a review is required. In determining the requirement for a valuation allowance, the historical and projected financial results of the legal entity or consolidated group recording the net deferred tax asset are considered, along with any other positive or negative evidence. Since future financial results may differ from previous estimates, periodic adjustments to the Company’s valuation allowances may be necessary.

In fiscal 2024, due to changes in forecasted taxable income, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets of Mexico and Germany would be realized. The valuation allowance adjustment resulted in a tax benefit of $48 million.

In fiscal 2023, due to changes in forecasted taxable income, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets of Canada, Mexico, and Spain would be realized. The valuation allowance adjustment resulted in a tax benefit of $121 million.

The following table summarizes changes in the valuation allowance (in millions):
202420232022
Balance at beginning of period$6,279 $5,906 $5,812 
Allowance provision for new operating and other loss carryforwards215 544 306 
Allowance reductions(236)(171)(212)
Balance at end of period$6,258 $6,279 $5,906 

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous non-U.S. jurisdictions. Judgment is required in determining the worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related assets and liabilities. In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are many transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company is regularly under audit by tax authorities.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions):
202420232022
Beginning balance, October 1$2,158 $2,485 $2,678 
Additions for tax positions related to the current year39 59 164 
Additions for tax positions of prior years53 89 31 
Reductions for tax positions of prior years(35)(23)(47)
Settlements with taxing authorities(35)(6)(7)
Statute closings and audit resolutions(127)(446)(334)
Ending balance, September 30$2,053 $2,158 $2,485 
The following table summarizes tax effected unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate and the related accrued interest, net of tax benefit (in millions):
September 30,
202420232022
Tax effected unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate$1,466 $1,533 $1,935 
Net accrued interest398 329 281 

In fiscal 2024, as the result of tax audit resolutions and statute expirations in various jurisdictions, the Company adjusted its reserve for uncertain tax positions which resulted in a $91 million net benefit to income tax expense.

In fiscal 2023, as the result of tax audit resolutions, statute expirations, and remeasurements of ongoing controversy matters in various jurisdictions, the Company adjusted its reserve for uncertain tax positions which resulted in a $438 million net benefit to income tax expense.

In fiscal 2022, the statute of limitations for certain tax years expired, which resulted in a $301 million benefit to income tax expense.

In the U.S., fiscal years 2019 through 2020 are currently under audit and fiscal years 2017 through 2018 are currently under appeal with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) for certain legal entities. In addition, fiscal years 2016 through 2019 are also under exam by the IRS in relation to a separate consolidated filing group. Additionally, the Company is currently under exam in the following major non-U.S. jurisdictions for continuing operations:
 
Tax JurisdictionTax Years Covered
Belgium2016 - 2017; 2019-2020
Germany
2007 - 2021
Mexico2016 - 2019
United Kingdom
2014 - 2015; 2018; 2020 - 2021

It is reasonably possible that certain tax examinations and/or tax litigation will conclude within the next twelve months, which could have a material impact on tax expense. Based upon the circumstances surrounding these examinations, the impact is not currently quantifiable.

Other Tax Matters

During fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, the Company incurred charges for restructuring and impairment costs of $510 million, $1,049 million and $701 million, which generated tax benefits of $26 million, $120 million and $47 million, respectively.

Impacts of Tax Legislation and Change in Statutory Tax Rates

On December 18, 2023, the president of Ireland signed into law the Finance (No. 2) Bill 2023, which included legislation regarding the implementation of the Pillar Two global minimum tax. The Pillar Two legislation is effective for the Company’s fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024.

On September 11, 2023, the Schaffhausen parliament approved a partial revision of the cantonal act on direct taxation: Immediate Minimum Taxation Measure (“IMTM”). On November 19, 2023, IMTM was approved in a public referendum in the canton of Schaffhausen, was published in the cantonal official gazette on December 8, 2023, and was effective starting January 1, 2024. The IMTM increased Switzerland's combined statutory income tax rate to approximately 15%. As a result, in fiscal 2024, the Company recorded a noncash discrete net tax benefit of $80 million due to the remeasurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities related to Switzerland and the canton of Schaffhausen.

On August 16, 2022, the U.S. enacted the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) which, among other things, created a new book minimum tax of at least 15% of consolidated GAAP pre-tax income for corporations with average book income in excess of $1 billion. The book minimum tax was first applicable in fiscal 2024 and did not have a material impact on the Company's effective tax rate.
During fiscal 2024, 2023 and 2022, other tax legislation was adopted in various jurisdictions. These law changes did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Selected Income Tax Data

Selected income tax data related to continuing operations were as follows (in millions):
 202420232022
Components of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes:
U.S. $(406)$(325)$(27)
Non-U.S.1,928 1,438 1,139 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes$1,522 $1,113 $1,112 
Components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes:
Current
U.S. federal$330 $(201)$(237)
U.S. state86 94 47 
Non-U.S.102 289 199 
518 182 9 
Deferred
U.S. federal(299)(267)(173)
U.S. state(26)(25)(70)
Non-U.S.(82)(358)52 
(407)(650)(191)
Income tax provision (benefit)$111 $(468)$(182)
Income taxes paid $704 $294 $439 

At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded within the consolidated statements of financial position in other current assets approximately $100 million and $65 million, respectively, of income tax assets. At September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company recorded within the consolidated statements of financial position in other current liabilities approximately $211 million and $249 million, respectively, of accrued income tax liabilities.

At September 30, 2024, the Company has not provided U.S. or non-U.S. income taxes on approximately $24.5 billion of outside basis differences of consolidated subsidiaries of Johnson Controls International plc. The Company is indefinitely reinvested in these basis differences. The reduction of the outside basis differences via the sale or liquidation of these subsidiaries and/or distributions could create taxable income. The Company's intent is to reduce the outside basis differences only when it would be tax efficient. Given the numerous ways in which the basis differences may be reduced, it is not practicable to estimate the amount of unrecognized withholding taxes and deferred tax liability on the outside basis differences.

Deferred taxes were classified in the consolidated statements of financial position as follows (in millions):
 September 30,
 20242023
Other noncurrent assets$1,969 $1,480 
Other noncurrent liabilities(301)(316)
Net deferred tax asset$1,668 $1,164 
Temporary differences and carryforwards which gave rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities included (in millions):
 
 September 30,
 20242023
Deferred tax assets
Accrued expenses and reserves$661 $469 
Employee and retiree benefits43 88 
Property, plant and equipment729 638 
Net operating loss and other credit carryforwards6,628 6,667 
Research and development219 171 
Intangible assets306 — 
Operating lease liabilities294 341 
Other, net455 269 
9,335 8,643 
Valuation allowances(6,258)(6,279)
3,077 2,364 
Deferred tax liabilities
Subsidiaries, joint ventures and partnerships440 359 
Intangible assets— 248 
Operating lease right-of-use assets294 341 
Other liabilities675 252 
1,409 1,200 
Net deferred tax asset$1,668 $1,164 

At September 30, 2024, the Company had available net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $22.1 billion, of which $11.8 billion will expire at various dates between 2025 and 2044, and the remainder has an indefinite carryforward period. The Company had available U.S. foreign tax credit carryforwards at September 30, 2024 of $35 million which will expire in 2029. The valuation allowance, generally, is for loss and credit carryforwards for which realization is uncertain because it is unlikely that the losses and/or credits will be realized given the lack of sustained profitability and/or limited carryforward periods in certain countries.