ING Direct 2011 Annual Report Download - page 114

TAXATION
Income tax on the result for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognised in the profit and loss account but it is
recognised directly in equity if the tax relates to items that are recognised directly in equity.
Deferred income tax
Deferred income tax is provided in full, using the liability method, on temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and
liabilities and their carrying amounts in the consolidated financial statements. Deferred income tax is determined using tax rates (and laws)
that have been enacted or substantially enacted by the balance sheet date and are expected to apply when the related deferred income
tax asset is realised or the deferred income tax liability is settled. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are not discounted.
Deferred tax assets are recognised where it is probable that future taxable profit will be available against which the temporary differences
can be utilised. Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising from investments in subsidiaries and associates, except
where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference is controlled by the Group and it is probable that the difference will not
reverse in the foreseeable future. The tax effects of income tax losses available for carry forward are recognised as an asset where it is
probable that future taxable profits will be available against which these losses can be utilised.
Deferred tax related to fair value remeasurement of available-for-sale investments and cash flow hedges, which are recognised directly in
equity, is also recognised directly in equity and is subsequently recognised in the profit and loss account together with the deferred gain or loss.
FINANCIAL LIABILITIES
Financial liabilities at amortised cost
Financial liabilities at amortised cost include the following sub-categories: preference shares, other borrowed funds, debt securities in issue,
subordinated loans, amounts due to banks and customer deposits and other funds on deposit.
Borrowings are recognised initially at their issue proceeds (fair value of consideration received) net of transaction costs incurred.
Borrowings are subsequently stated at amortised cost; any difference between proceeds, net of transaction costs, and the redemption
value is recognised in the profit and loss account over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.
If the Group purchases its own debt, it is removed from the balance sheet, and the difference between the carrying amount of the liability
and the consideration paid is included in the profit and loss account.
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit and loss comprise the following sub-categories: trading liabilities, non-trading derivatives and
other financial liabilities designated at fair value through profit and loss by management. Trading liabilities include equity securities, debt
securities, funds on deposit and derivatives. Designation by management will take place only if it eliminates a measurement inconsistency
or if the related assets and liabilities are managed on a fair value basis. ING Group has designated an insignificant part of the issued debt,
related to market-making activities, at fair value through profit and loss. This issued debt consists mainly of own bonds. The designation
asfair value through profit and loss eliminates the inconsistency in the timing of the recognition of gains and losses. All other financial
liabilities are measured at amortised cost.
Financial guarantee contracts
Financial guarantee contracts are contracts that require the issuer to make specified payments to reimburse the holder for a loss it incurs
because a specified debtor fails to make payments when due, in accordance with the terms of a debt instrument. Such financial
guarantees are initially recognised at fair value and subsequently measured at the higher of the discounted best estimate of the obligation
under the guarantee and the amount initially recognised less cumulative amortisation to reflect revenue recognition principles.
INSURANCE, INVESTMENT AND REINSURANCE CONTRACTS
Provisions for liabilities under insurance contracts are established in accordance with IFRS 4 ‘Insurance Contracts’. Under IFRS 4, an insurer
may continue its existing pre-IFRS accounting policies for insurance contracts, provided that certain minimum requirements are met. Upon
adoption of IFRS in 2005, ING Group decided to continue the then existing accounting principles for insurance contracts under IFRS. ING
Group operates in many different countries and the accounting principles for insurance contracts follow local practice in these countries.
ING’s businesses in the Netherlands apply accounting standards generally accepted in the Netherlands (Dutch GAAP) for its provisions for
liabilities under insurance contracts; similarly, ING’s businesses in the United States apply accounting standards generally accepted in the
United States (US GAAP).
Changes in those local accounting standards (including Dutch GAAP and US GAAP) subsequent to the adoption of IFRS are considered for
adoption on a case-by-case basis. If adopted, the impact thereof is accounted for as a change in accounting policy under IFRS.
In addition, for certain specific products or components thereof, ING applies the option in IFRS 4 to measure (components of) the provisions
for liabilities under insurance contracts using market consistent interest rates and other current estimates and assumptions. This relates
mainly to Guaranteed Minimum Withdrawal Benefits for Life on the Insurance US Closed Block VA book and certain guarantees embedded
in insurance contracts in Japan.
Accounting policies for the consolidated annual accounts of ING Group continued
112 ING Group Annual Report 2011