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Commitments and Contingencies | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] |
Commitments and Contingencies | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Embraco Antitrust Matters Beginning in February 2009, our former Embraco compressor business headquartered in Brazil ("Embraco") was notified of antitrust investigations of the global compressor industry by government authorities in various jurisdictions. Embraco resolved the government investigations and related claims in various jurisdictions and certain other claims remain pending. Whirlpool agreed to retain potential liabilities related to this matter following closing of the Embraco sale transaction. We continue to defend these actions. While it is currently not possible to reasonably estimate the aggregate amount of costs which we may incur in connection with these matters, such costs could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements in any particular reporting period. BEFIEX Credits and Other Brazil Tax Matters In previous years, our Brazilian operations earned tax credits under the Brazilian government's export incentive program (BEFIEX). These credits reduced Brazilian federal excise taxes on domestic sales. Our Brazilian operations have received tax assessments for income and social contribution taxes associated with certain monetized BEFIEX credits. We do not believe BEFIEX credits are subject to income or social contribution taxes. We believe these tax assessments are without merit and are vigorously defending our positions. We have not provided for income or social contribution taxes on these BEFIEX credits, and based on the opinions of tax and legal advisors, we have not accrued any amount related to these assessments at March 31, 2021. The total amount of outstanding tax assessments received for income and social contribution taxes relating to the BEFIEX credits, including interest and penalties, is approximately 2.0 billion Brazilian reais (approximately $348 million at March 31, 2021). Relying on existing Brazilian legal precedent, in 2003 and 2004, we recognized tax credits in an aggregate amount of $26 million, adjusted for currency, on the purchase of raw materials used in production ("IPI tax credits"). The Brazilian tax authority subsequently challenged the recording of IPI tax credits. No such credits have been recognized since 2004. In 2009, we entered into a Brazilian government program ("IPI Amnesty") which provided extended payment terms and reduced penalties and interest to encourage taxpayers to resolve this and certain other disputed tax credit amounts. As permitted by the program, we elected to settle certain debts through the use of other existing tax credits and recorded charges of approximately $34 million in 2009 associated with these matters. In July 2012, the Brazilian revenue authority notified us that a portion of our proposed settlement was rejected and we received tax assessments of 258 million Brazilian reais (approximately $45 million at March 31, 2021), reflecting interest and penalties to date. We believe these tax assessments are without merit and we are vigorously defending our position. The government's assessment in this case relies heavily on its arguments regarding taxability of BEFIEX credits for certain years, which we are disputing in one of the BEFIEX government assessment cases cited in the prior paragraph. Because the IPI Amnesty case is moving faster than the BEFIEX taxability case, we could be required to pay the IPI Amnesty assessment before obtaining a final decision in the BEFIEX taxability case. We have received tax assessments from the Brazilian federal tax authorities relating to amounts allegedly due regarding unemployment/social security insurance taxes (PIS/COFINS) for tax credits recognized since 2007. These credits were recognized for inputs to certain manufacturing and other business processes. These assessments are being challenged at the administrative and judicial levels in Brazil. The total amount of outstanding tax assessments received for credits recognized for PIS/COFINS inputs is approximately 302 million Brazilian reais (approximately $53 million at March 31, 2021). We believe these tax assessments are without merit and are vigorously defending our positions. Based on the opinion of our tax and legal advisors, we have not accrued any amount related to these assessments. In addition to the BEFIEX, IPI tax credit and PIS/COFINS inputs matters noted above, other assessments issued by the Brazilian tax authorities related to indirect and income tax matters, and other matters, are at various stages of review in numerous administrative and judicial proceedings. The amounts related to these assessments will continue to be increased by monetary adjustments at the Selic rate, which is the benchmark rate set by the Brazilian Central Bank. In accordance with our accounting policies, we routinely assess these matters and, when necessary, record our best estimate of a loss. We believe these tax assessments are without merit and are vigorously defending our positions. Litigation is inherently unpredictable and the conclusion of these matters may take many years to ultimately resolve. We may experience additional delays in resolving these matters as a result of COVID-19-related administrative and judicial system temporary delays and closures in Brazil. Amounts at issue in potential future litigation could increase as a result of interest and penalties in future periods. Accordingly, it is possible that an unfavorable outcome in these proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements in any particular reporting period. ICMS Credits We also filed legal actions in Brazil to recover certain social integration and social contribution taxes paid over gross sales including ICMS receipts, which is a form of Value Added Tax in Brazil. During 2017, we sold the rights to certain portions of this litigation to a third party for 90 million Brazilian reais (approximately $27 million at December 31, 2017). In the first quarter of 2019, we received a favorable decision in the largest of these ICMS legal actions. This decision is final and not subject to appeals. Based on the opinion of our tax and legal advisors, we recognized a gain of approximately $84 million, after related taxes and fees and based on exchange rates then in effect, during the first quarter of 2019 in connection with this decision. This amount reflects approximately $142 million in indirect tax credits ("credits") that we are entitled to monetize in future periods, offset by approximately $58 million in taxes and fees, which have been paid. In the second quarter of 2019, we received favorable final, non-appealable decisions in two smaller ICMS legal actions. Based on the opinion of our tax and legal advisors, we recognized a gain of approximately $35 million, after related taxes and fees and based on exchange rates then in effect, during the second quarter of 2019 in connection with this decision. This amount reflects approximately $54 million in credits that we are entitled to monetize in future periods, offset by approximately $18 million in taxes and fees, which have been paid. The ICMS credits and related fees were recorded in interest and sundry (income) expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss). The Brazilian tax authorities have sought clarification before the Brazilian Supreme Court (in a leading case involving another taxpayer) of certain matters, including the amount of these credits (i.e., the gross rate or net credit amount), and certain other matters that could affect the rights of Brazilian taxpayers regarding these credits, and a hearing has been scheduled for the second quarter of 2021. If the Brazilian tax authorities challenge our rights to these credits, we may become subject to new litigation related to credits already monetized and/or disallowance of further credit monetization. Based on the opinions of our tax and legal advisors, we have not accrued any amounts related to potential future litigation regarding these credits. Competition Investigation In 2013, the French Competition Authority ("FCA") commenced an investigation of appliance manufacturers and retailers in France, including Whirlpool and Indesit. The FCA investigation was split into two parts, and in December 2018, we finalized a settlement with the FCA on the first part of the investigation. The second part of the FCA investigation, which is expected to focus primarily on manufacturer interactions with retailers, is ongoing. The Company is cooperating with this investigation. Although it is currently not possible to assess the impact, if any, that matters related to the FCA investigation may have on our financial statements, matters related to the FCA investigation could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements in any particular reporting period. Trade Customer Insolvency The Company was a former indirect minority shareholder of Alno AG, a longstanding trade customer that filed for insolvency protection in Germany. In 2020, we paid a settlement of €52.75 million (approximately $59 million) to resolve any potential claims the insolvency trustee might have against the Company. We are also defending third-party claims related to Alno's insolvency that we believe are without merit, and believe the ultimate resolution of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on our financial statements. Grenfell Tower On June 23, 2017, London's Metropolitan Police Service released a statement that it had identified a Hotpoint–branded refrigerator as the initial source of the Grenfell Tower fire in West London. U.K. authorities are conducting investigations, including regarding the cause and spread of the fire. The model in question was manufactured by Indesit Company between 2006 and 2009, prior to Whirlpool's acquisition of Indesit in 2014. We are fully cooperating with the investigating authorities. Whirlpool was named as a defendant in a product liability suit in Pennsylvania federal court related to this matter. The federal court dismissed the case with prejudice in September 2020. The dismissal is being appealed. In December 2020, lawsuits related to Grenfell Tower were filed in the U.K. against approximately 20 defendants, including Whirlpool Corporation and certain Whirlpool subsidiaries. Given the preliminary stage of the proceedings, we cannot speculate on their eventual outcomes or potential impact on our financial statements; accordingly, we have not recorded any significant charges as of March 31, 2021. Additional claims may be filed related to this incident. Other Litigation See Note 13 for information on certain U.S. income tax litigation. In addition, we are currently defending against two lawsuits that have been certified for treatment as class actions in U.S. federal court, relating to two top-load washing machine models. In December 2019, the court in one of these lawsuits entered summary judgment in Whirlpool's favor. That ruling remains subject to appeal, and the other lawsuit is ongoing. We believe the lawsuits are without merit and are vigorously defending them. Given the preliminary stage of the proceedings, we cannot reasonably estimate a range of loss, if any, at this time. The resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial statements in any particular reporting period. We are currently vigorously defending a number of other lawsuits related to the manufacture and sale of our products which include class action allegations, and may become involved in similar actions. These lawsuits allege claims which include negligence, breach of contract, breach of warranty, product liability and safety claims, false advertising, fraud, and violation of federal and state regulations, including consumer protection laws. In general, we do not have insurance coverage for class action lawsuits. We are also involved in various other legal actions arising in the normal course of business, for which insurance coverage may or may not be available depending on the nature of the action. We dispute the merits of these suits and actions, and intend to vigorously defend them. Management believes, based upon its current knowledge, after taking into consideration legal counsel's evaluation of such suits and actions, and after taking into account current litigation accruals, that the outcome of these matters currently pending against Whirlpool should not have a material adverse effect, if any, on our financial statements. We may experience additional delays in resolving these and other pending litigation matters as a result of COVID-19-related temporary court and administrative body closures and postponements. Product Warranty and Legacy Product Corrective Action Reserves Product warranty reserves are included in other current and other noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The following table summarizes the changes in total product warranty liability reserves for the periods presented:
|  | Product Warranty
Millions of dollars |  | 2021 |  | 2020
Balance at January 1 |  | $ | 273 |  |  | $ | 383 |
Issuances/accruals during the period |  | 114 |  |  | 47 |
Settlements made during the period/other |  | (86) |  |  | (124) |
Balance at March 31 |  | $ | 301 |  |  | $ | 306 |
Current portion |  | $ | 207 |  |  | $ | 179 |
Non-current portion |  | 94 |  |  | 127 |
Total |  | $ | 301 |  |  | $ | 306 |
In the normal course of business, we engage in investigations of potential quality and safety issues. As part of our ongoing effort to deliver quality products to consumers, we are currently investigating certain potential quality and safety issues globally. As necessary, we undertake to effect repair or replacement of appliances in the event that an investigation leads to the conclusion that such action is warranted. As part of this process, we investigated incident reports associated with a particular component in certain Indesit-designed horizontal axis washers produced in EMEA. In January 2020, we commenced a product recall in the UK and Ireland for these EMEA-produced washers, for which the recall is ongoing. In the third quarter of 2019, we accrued approximately $105 million in estimated product warranty expense related to this matter. Reserve assumptions were updated in the fourth quarter of 2020 based on the latest available data including take rate assumptions and unit population resulting in a $30 million release to the reserve. This estimate is based on several assumptions which are inherently unpredictable and which we may need to materially revise in the future. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, settlements of approximately $2 million have been incurred related to this product recall. The total settlements since the beginning of this campaign are approximately $58 million. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2019, we incurred approximately $26 million of additional product warranty expense related to our previously disclosed legacy Indesit dryer corrective action campaign in the UK. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, or for the year ended December 31, 2020, we incurred no additional material product warranty expense related to this campaign. We continue to cooperate with the UK regulator, which continues to review the overall effectiveness of the modification program. Guarantees We have guarantee arrangements in a Brazilian subsidiary. For certain creditworthy customers, the subsidiary guarantees customer lines of credit at commercial banks to support purchases following its normal credit policies. If a customer were to default on its line of credit with the bank, our subsidiary would be required to assume the line of credit and satisfy the obligation with the bank. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the guaranteed amounts totaled 359 million Brazilian reais (approximately $63 million at March 31, 2021) and 297 million Brazilian reais (approximately $57 million at December 31, 2020), respectively. The fair value of these guarantees were nominal at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020. Our subsidiary insures against a significant portion of this credit risk for these guarantees, under normal operating conditions, through policies purchased from high-quality underwriters. We provide guarantees of indebtedness and lines of credit for various consolidated subsidiaries. The maximum contractual amount of indebtedness and lines of credit available under these lines for consolidated subsidiaries totaled approximately $3.5 billion at March 31, 2021 and $3.5 billion at December 31, 2020. Our total short-term outstanding bank indebtedness under guarantees was nominal at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.

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