NVIDIA 2008 Annual Report Download - page 32

Our operating results may be adversely affected if we are subject to unexpected tax liabilities.
We are subject to taxation by a number of taxing authorities both in the United States and throughout the world. Tax rates vary among the jurisdictions in
which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for our income taxes as there are many transactions and calculations where the
ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, any of the below could cause our effective tax rate to be materially
different than that which is reflected in historical income tax provisions and accruals:
Should additional taxes be assessed as a result of any of the above, our operating results could be adversely affected. In addition, our future effective tax
rate could be adversely affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in tax laws or changes in the
interpretation of tax laws.
Our failure to comply with any applicable environmental regulations could result in a range of consequences, including fines, suspension of
production, excess inventory, sales limitations, and criminal and civil liabilities.
We are subject to various state, federal and international laws and regulations governing the environment, including restricting the presence of certain
substances in electronic products and making producers of those products financially responsible for the collection, treatment, recycling and disposal of those
products. For example, we are subject to the European Union Directive on Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, or RoHS Directive, that restricts the use
of a number of substances, including lead, and other hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment in the market in the European Union. We could
face significant costs and liabilities in connection with the European Union Directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or WEEE. The WEEE directs
members of the European Union to enact laws, regulations, and administrative provisions to ensure that producers of electric and electronic equipment are
financially responsible for the collection, recycling, treatment and environmentally responsible disposal of certain products sold into the market after August 15,
2005.
It is possible that unanticipated supply shortages, delays or excess non
- compliant inventory may occur as a result of the RoHS Directive, WEEE, and other
domestic or international environmental regulations. Failure to comply with any applicable environmental regulations could result in a range of consequences
including costs, fines, suspension of production, excess inventory, sales limitations, criminal and civil liabilities and could impact our ability to conduct business
in the countries or states that have adopted these types of regulations.
While we believe that we have adequate internal control over financial reporting, if we or our independent registered public accounting firm
determines that we do not, our reputation may be adversely affected and our stock price may decline.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes
- Oxley Act of 2002 requires our management to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm to audit, the
effectiveness of our internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting. We have an ongoing program to perform the system and process evaluation
and testing necessary to comply with these requirements. However, the manner in which companies and their independent public accounting firms apply these
requirements and test companies
’ internal controls remains subject to some judgment. To date, we have incurred, and we expect to continue to incur, increased
expense and to devote additional management resources to Section 404 compliance. Despite our efforts, if we identify a material weakness in our internal controls,
there can be no assurance that we will be able to remediate that material weakness in a timely manner, or that we will be able to maintain all of the controls
necessary to determine that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. In the event that our chief executive officer, chief financial officer or our
independent registered public accounting firm determine that our internal control over financial reporting is not effective as defined under Section 404, investor
perceptions of us may be adversely affected and could cause a decline in the market price of our stock.
·
the jurisdictions in which profits are determined to be earned and taxed;
·
adjustments to estimated taxes upon finalization of various tax returns;
·
changes in available tax credits;
·
changes in share - based compensation expense;
·
changes in tax laws, the interpretation of tax laws either in the United States or abroad or the issuance of new interpretative accounting guidance related to
uncertain transactions and calculations where the tax treatment was previously uncertain; and
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the resolution of issues arising from tax audits with various tax authorities.
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