Syngenta AG – Financial report – 31 December 2021
Industry: manufacturing
Notes to the Syngenta AG Group Consolidated Financial Statements (extract)
Critical accounting estimates (extract)
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets
At December 31, 2021, Syngenta’s deferred tax assets are $1,366 million (2020: $1,306 million), as further analyzed in Note 7. Included in this balance are deferred tax assets for unused tax losses and tax credits of $115 million (2020: $73 million), of which $61 million (2020: $33 million) relates to tax losses. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible or in which tax losses can be utilized. The tax effect of unused tax losses is recognized as a deferred tax asset when it becomes probable that the tax losses will be utilized. In making assessments regarding deferred tax assets, management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies.
At December 31, 2021, based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes that it is more likely than not that Syngenta will realize the benefits of these deductible differences. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable could however be reduced in subsequent years if estimates of future taxable income during their carry forward periods are reduced, or rulings by the tax authorities are unfavorable. Estimates are therefore subject to change due to both market-related and government-related uncertainties, as well as Syngenta’s own future decisions on restructuring and other matters. Syngenta is unable to accurately quantify the future adjustments to deferred income tax expense that may occur as a result of these uncertainties.
The principal jurisdiction where deferred tax assets have not been recognized at December 31, 2021 is USA (2020: Brazil and USA). At December 31, 2021, Syngenta has recognized $130 million (2020: $117 million) of net deferred tax assets in Brazil. The improved 2021 business performance in Brazil as well as the overall lower level of net deferred tax assets resulted in a lower restriction of the amount recognized, decreasing 2021 deferred income tax expense by $16 million (2020: $22 million). Syngenta has assumed local profitability in 2022 and future years similar to the historical average. In making this assessment, the forecast horizon used for taxable profits is 5 years. Taxable profits that may arise beyond the 5-year horizon are subject to greater uncertainty and have not been considered.
At December 31, 2021, Syngenta has recognized $254 million (2020: $235 million) of net deferred tax assets in USA, and has not recognized $74 million (2020: $63 million) of deferred tax assets relating to a temporary difference for interest carryforwards. Syngenta has performed an analysis in order to determine the amount of deferred tax asset it should recognize, taking into account the current plans of debt financing Syngenta’s US subsidiaries.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”)
The CARES Act, a law intended to address the economic fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, came into effect on March 27, 2020. Among many other provisions, the CARES Act increases the tax deduction for net operating losses from 80 percent to 100 percent, for 2018, 2019, and 2020 and allows net operating losses from 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to up to five years, resulting in retroactive tax refunds. As a result, Syngenta recorded an estimated $27 million favorable one-time impact (tax credit) within income tax expense during 2020.
Uncertain tax positions
Syngenta estimates and accrues taxes that will ultimately be payable when reviews or audits by tax authorities of tax returns are completed. These estimates include significant management judgments about the eventual outcome of the reviews and audits of all open years based on the latest information available about the positions expected to be taken by each tax authority. Actual outcomes and settlements may differ significantly from the estimates recorded in these consolidated financial statements. This may affect income tax expense reported in future years’ consolidated income statements.
Syngenta has a global supply chain, and intellectual property rights owned by Syngenta are used internationally within the Syngenta AG group. Transfer prices for the delivery of goods and charges for the provision of services, which include contract research and development, contract manufacturing and internal financing arrangements, by one Syngenta subsidiary to another may be subject to challenge by the national tax authorities in any of the jurisdictions in which Syngenta operates. Syngenta has a global transfer pricing policy in place and applies, to the maximum extent possible, a consistent methodology on a global basis. Transfer pricing determination in general, and the benchmarking process in particular, involve significant judgment and therefore a certain level of uncertainty remains as to whether tax authorities will challenge the pricing applied in the light of the new, complex transfer pricing guidelines in connection with the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiative.
At December 31, 2021, Syngenta’s balance sheet includes assets of $123 million (2020: $88 million), and liabilities of $627 million (2020: $665 million), for current income taxes. These liabilities include $481 million in respect of the uncertain tax positions described above (2020: $491 million).
Releases of uncertain tax liabilities during 2021 and 2020 related to changes in tax legislation, closure of previously open tax matters through expiry and settlement of tax audits. The liability for uncertain income tax positions that Syngenta expects will be resolved in 2022 is approximately 10% percent of total recognized current income tax liabilities.
Significant management judgment has been required to estimate the income tax benefits associated with the $1,500 million Viptera litigation settlement payments made in 2019 because the Syngenta entities named as parties to the litigation are incorporated in different tax jurisdictions. Syngenta’s estimates at December 31, 2021 and 2020 assume that all of the Viptera settlement costs will be deductible for income taxes but that deductions will be claimed in more than one jurisdiction. Syngenta estimated the benefit using an average of the tax rates of the relevant jurisdictions and the amounts it has recorded in 2021 and 2020 for both current and deferred income taxes reflect this estimate. The ultimate benefit realized may be different from this estimate and this difference may have a material effect on Syngenta’s income tax expense for 2022 and/or future periods.
In Brazil, Syngenta received adverse rulings at administrative court level in transfer pricing disputes for fiscal years 2003 and 2011 and has filed appeals at civil court level. Additionally, Syngenta has appealed at administrative level against transfer pricing assessments for fiscal years 2013 to 2015 and won in first degree of administrative level cancelling those assessments. In 2021 Syngenta was assessed for transfer pricing for fiscal year 2016 and filled an appeal to administrative court requiring the cancelling of this assessment. Syngenta believes it will succeed and has recognized no liability for the estimated aggregate $213 million (2020: $130 million) contingent liabilities in these disputes.
19. Provisions, commitments and contingencies (extract)
Contingencies (extract)
Tax matters
Significant management judgment is required to estimate the tax liabilities related to the eventual outcome of reviews and audits by tax authorities of tax returns filed by Syngenta’s subsidiaries. Tax returns filed by many of Syngenta’s subsidiaries during the past several years are either currently under examination by tax authorities or are open for future examination until expiry under statutes of limitation. In Syngenta’s opinion, the likelihood is remote that a material amount in excess of recorded provisions will result from the resolution of any such examination or case. Syngenta is also subject to certain tax claims pending before the judiciary. See Note 2 “Uncertain tax positions” for detail regarding on-going transfer pricing disputes in Brazil. Syngenta believes it will successfully defend its position in these disputes. However, it is reasonably possible that actual outcomes and settlements may differ significantly from the estimated liabilities shown in the consolidated balance sheet for income taxes and in Note 17 for other taxes.
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