XML 47 R14.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3
Taxation
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Taxation
Taxation
Income tax expense of €11.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 (2018: €10.0 million) and €41.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 (2018: €39.2 million) is accrued based on management’s estimate of the average annual effective income tax rate on profits excluding exceptional items, applied to the pre-tax income excluding exceptional items of the periods. This estimate takes into account the reduction in provisions due to resolution of certain pre-acquisition risks previously covered by escrow. It also reflects the tax impact of exceptional items accounted for in the periods.
The Company’s subsidiaries, which are subject to tax, operate in many different jurisdictions and, in some of these, certain tax matters are under discussion with local tax authorities. These discussions are often complex and can take many years to resolve. Accruals for tax contingencies require management to make estimates and judgments with respect to the ultimate outcome of a tax audit, and actual results could vary from these estimates. Where tax exposures can be quantified, a provision is made based on best estimates and management’s judgment. Given the inherent uncertainties in assessing the outcomes of these exposures (which can sometimes be binary in nature), the Company could in future periods experience adjustments to this provision.
Management believes that the Company’s tax position on all open matters, including those in current discussion with local tax authorities, is robust and that the Company is appropriately provided.