Wells Fargo 2013 Annual Report Download - page 115

benefits. Our unrecognized tax benefits on uncertain tax
positions are reflected in Note 21 (Income Taxes) to Financial
Statements in this Report. Foreign taxes paid are generally
applied as credits to reduce federal income taxes payable. We
account for interest and penalties as a component of income tax
expense.
The income tax laws of the jurisdictions in which
we operate are complex and subject to different interpretations
by the taxpayer and the relevant government taxing authorities.
In establishing a provision for income tax expense, we must
make judgments and interpretations about the application of
these inherently complex tax laws. We must also make estimates
about when in the future certain items will affect taxable income
in the various tax jurisdictions by the government taxing
authorities, both domestic and foreign. Our interpretations may
be subjected to review during examination by taxing authorities
and disputes may arise over the respective tax positions. We
attempt to resolve these disputes during the tax examination and
audit process and ultimately through the court systems when
applicable.
We monitor relevant tax authorities and revise our estimate of
accrued income taxes due to changes in income tax laws and
their interpretation by the courts and regulatory authorities on a
quarterly basis. Revisions of our estimate of accrued income
taxes also may result from our own income tax planning and
from the resolution of income tax controversies. Such revisions
in our estimates may be material to our operating results for any
given quarter.
See Note 21 (Income Taxes) to Financial Statements in this
Report for a further description of our provision for income taxes
and related income tax assets and liabilities.
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