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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
During the three and nine month period ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded a provision for income tax of $4 million and $20 million, respectively, which reflects income tax expense in countries where the Company is profitable; accrued withholding taxes; ongoing assessments related to the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax benefits; the inability to record a tax benefit for pretax losses and/or recognize expense for pretax income in certain jurisdictions (including the U.S.) due to valuation allowances; and other non-recurring tax items, including enacted tax law changes. Pretax losses in jurisdictions where valuation allowances are maintained and no income tax benefits are recognized totaled $48 million and $106 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively, resulting in an increase in the Company's effective tax rate in those years.
The Company's provision for income taxes in interim periods is computed by applying an estimated annual effective tax rate against income before income taxes, excluding equity in net income of non-consolidated affiliates for the period. Effective tax rates vary from period to period as separate calculations are performed for those countries where the Company's operations are profitable and whose results continue to be tax-effected and for those countries where full deferred tax valuation allowances exist and are maintained. In determining the estimated annual effective tax rate, the Company analyzes various factors, including but not limited to, forecasts of projected annual earnings, taxing jurisdictions in which the pretax income and/or pretax losses will be generated and available tax planning strategies. The changing and volatile macro-economic conditions connected with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including the semiconductor supply shortage and other supply chain impacts may cause fluctuations in forecasted earnings before income taxes. As such, the Company's effective tax rate could be subject to volatility as forecasted earnings before income taxes are impacted by events which cannot be predicted. The Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate is updated each quarter and may be significantly impacted by changes to the mix of forecasted earnings by tax jurisdiction. The tax impact of adjustments to the estimated annual effective tax rate are recorded in the period such estimates are revised. The Company is also required to record the tax impact of certain other non-recurring tax items, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and uncertain tax positions, and changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur.

The need to maintain valuation allowances against deferred tax assets in the U.S. and other affected countries will cause variability in the Company’s quarterly and annual effective tax rates. Full valuation allowances against deferred tax assets in the U.S. and applicable foreign countries will be maintained until sufficient positive evidence exists to reduce or eliminate them. The Company evaluates its deferred income taxes quarterly to determine if valuation allowances are required or should be adjusted. This assessment considers, among other matters, the nature, frequency, and amount of recent losses, the duration of statutory carryforward periods, and tax planning strategies. In making such judgments, significant weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. If (i) recent improvements to financial results continue in the U.S., or (ii) recovery of the global economy after the COVID-19 pandemic including the semiconductor shortages occurs faster than expected, the Company believes it is possible that sufficient positive evidence may be available to release all, or a portion, of its U.S. valuation allowance in the next nine to 24 months.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 were $15 million and $14 million, respectively. Of these amounts, approximately $8 million and $7 million, respectively, represent the amount of unrecognized benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. The gross unrecognized tax benefit differs from that which would impact the effective tax rate due to uncertain tax positions embedded in other deferred tax attributes carrying a full valuation allowance. During the nine months ended September 30, 2021, the Company recorded a $2 million increase in tax expense related to uncertain tax positions attributable to certain related party transactions. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense and related amounts accrued at September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $2 million in both years.
With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for years before 2014, or state, local or non-U.S. income tax examinations for years before 2003, although U.S. net operating losses carried forward into open tax years technically remain open to adjustment. Although it is not possible to predict the timing of the resolution of all ongoing tax audits with accuracy, it is reasonably possible that certain tax proceedings in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Mexico could conclude within the next twelve months and result in a significant increase or decrease in the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits. Given the number of years, jurisdictions, and positions subject to examination, the Company is unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits. The long-term portion of uncertain income tax positions (including interest) of $7 million is included in Other non-current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, while $3 million is reflected as a reduction of a deferred tax asset related to a net operating loss included in Other non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
During 2012, Brazil tax authorities issued tax assessment notices to Visteon Sistemas Automotivos (“Sistemas”) related to the sale of its chassis business, in connection with this assessment the Company recorded a long-term tax deposit during 2013. During the third quarter of 2021, the Company received a favorable judgement related to this deposit. The Company reclassified $9 million associated with this deposit to other current assets and expects to receive settlement during the fourth quarter of 2021. The remaining deposit of approximately $2 million has been applied against other long-term labor-related tax debts pursuant to the judgement. Income tax refund claims associated with other jurisdictions, total $5 million as of September 30, 2021, and are included in Other non-current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.