JP Morgan Chase 2015 Annual Report Download - page 179

JPMorgan Chase & Co./2015 Annual Report 169
Income taxes
JPMorgan Chase is subject to the income tax laws of the
various jurisdictions in which it operates, including U.S.
federal, state and local and non-U.S. jurisdictions. These
laws are often complex and may be subject to different
interpretations. To determine the financial statement
impact of accounting for income taxes, including the
provision for income tax expense and unrecognized tax
benefits, JPMorgan Chase must make assumptions and
judgments about how to interpret and apply these complex
tax laws to numerous transactions and business events, as
well as make judgments regarding the timing of when
certain items may affect taxable income in the U.S. and
non-U.S. tax jurisdictions.
JPMorgan Chase’s interpretations of tax laws around the
world are subject to review and examination by the various
taxing authorities in the jurisdictions where the Firm
operates, and disputes may occur regarding its view on a
tax position. These disputes over interpretations with the
various taxing authorities may be settled by audit,
administrative appeals or adjudication in the court systems
of the tax jurisdictions in which the Firm operates.
JPMorgan Chase regularly reviews whether it may be
assessed additional income taxes as a result of the
resolution of these matters, and the Firm records additional
reserves as appropriate. In addition, the Firm may revise its
estimate of income taxes due to changes in income tax laws,
legal interpretations and tax planning strategies. It is
possible that revisions in the Firm’s estimate of income
taxes may materially affect the Firm’s results of operations
in any reporting period.
The Firm’s provision for income taxes is composed of
current and deferred taxes. Deferred taxes arise from
differences between assets and liabilities measured for
financial reporting versus income tax return purposes.
Deferred tax assets are recognized if, in management’s
judgment, their realizability is determined to be more likely
than not. The Firm has also recognized deferred tax assets
in connection with certain net operating losses (“NOLs”)
and tax credits. The Firm performs regular reviews to
ascertain whether its deferred tax assets are realizable.
These reviews include management’s estimates and
assumptions regarding future taxable income, which also
incorporates various tax planning strategies, including
strategies that may be available to utilize NOLs before they
expire. In connection with these reviews, if it is determined
that a deferred tax asset is not realizable, a valuation
allowance is established. The valuation allowance may be
reversed in a subsequent reporting period if the Firm
determines that, based on revised estimates of future
taxable income or changes in tax planning strategies, it is
more likely than not that all or part of the deferred tax
asset will become realizable. As of December 31, 2015,
management has determined it is more likely than not that
the Firm will realize its deferred tax assets, net of the
existing valuation allowance.
JPMorgan Chase does not record U.S. federal income taxes
on the undistributed earnings of certain non-U.S.
subsidiaries, to the extent that such earnings have been
reinvested abroad for an indefinite period of time. Changes
to the income tax rates applicable to these non-U.S.
subsidiaries may have a material impact on the effective tax
rate in a future period if such changes were to occur.
The Firm adjusts its unrecognized tax benefits as necessary
when additional information becomes available. Uncertain
tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition
threshold are measured to determine the amount of benefit
to recognize. An uncertain tax position is measured at the
largest amount of benefit that management believes is
more likely than not to be realized upon settlement. It is
possible that the reassessment of JPMorgan Chase’s
unrecognized tax benefits may have a material impact on its
effective income tax rate in the period in which the
reassessment occurs.
For additional information on income taxes, see Note 26.
Litigation reserves
For a description of the significant estimates and judgments
associated with establishing litigation reserves, see
Note 31.