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Income Taxes | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] |
Income Taxes | Income Taxes Our quarterly provision for income taxes is measured using an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items within periods presented. The comparison of our effective tax rate between periods is significantly impacted by the level and mix of earnings and losses by tax jurisdiction and discrete items. The income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $4 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 10.0%, compared to a $15 million charge resulting in an effective tax rate of 16.6% for the same period in 2019. The effective tax rate for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 differs from the United States federal statutory rate primarily due to the mix of earnings in jurisdictions, partially offset by the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") inclusion. Additionally, the effective tax rate for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 is lower than the same period in 2019 due to the relative impact of the benefit from favorable equity compensation deductions on the effective tax rate. Unrecognized Tax Benefits We recognize tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities or litigation, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the condensed consolidated financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2020 was $128 million, as compared to $129 million at December 31, 2019, which if ultimately recognized will reduce our effective tax rate. We believe that it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits will be reduced by approximately $4 million within the next 12 months as a result of the expiration of certain statutes of limitations. We classify interest expense relating to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of other non-operating expense, net, and tax penalties as a component of income tax expense in our Condensed Consolidated Income Statements. As of March 31, 2020, we had $9 million of interest accrued for unrecognized tax benefits.During 2019, Xylem’s Swedish subsidiary received a tax assessment for the 2013 tax year related to the tax treatment of an intercompany transfer of certain intellectual property that was made in connection with a reorganization of our European businesses. The assessment asserts an aggregate amount of approximately $80 million for tax, penalties and interest. Xylem filed an appeal with the Administrative Court of Stockholm. Management, in consultation with external legal advisors, believes it is more likely than not that Xylem will prevail on the proposed assessment and is vigorously defending our position through litigation. As of March 31, 2020, we have not recorded any unrecognized tax benefits related to this uncertain tax position.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2144680 + Details
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