v3.26.1
INCOME TAXES
 12 Months Ended
May 31, 2026
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
The components of earnings before income taxes and after-tax (loss) earnings from joint ventures and the corresponding income taxes
thereon are as follows:
Fiscal Year
In Millions
2026
2025
2024
Earnings before income taxes and after-tax (loss) earnings from joint ventures:
United States
$441.7
$2,493.2
$2,907.0
Foreign
(36.2)
341.8
121.3
Total earnings before income taxes and after-tax earnings (loss) from joint ventures
$405.5
$2,835.0
$3,028.3
Income taxes:
Currently payable:
Federal
$101.2
$549.0
$512.8
State and local
65.6
80.1
72.0
Foreign
44.3
65.5
58.2
Total current
211.1
694.6
643.0
Deferred:
Federal
216.7
(62.6)
27.4
State and local
1.9
(3.3)
9.7
Foreign
(15.4)
(55.0)
(85.6)
Total deferred
203.2
(120.9)
(48.5)
Total:
Federal
317.9
486.4
540.2
State and local
67.5
76.8
81.7
Foreign
28.9
10.5
(27.4)
Total income taxes
$414.3
$573.7
$594.5
In fiscal 2026, we recorded a $1,500.0 million impairment charge related to the North America Pet reporting unit goodwill, which is
not deductible for tax purposes. Please see Note 6 for additional information.
The following table reconciles the United States federal statutory income tax with our effective income tax for fiscal 2026:
Amount
Percent
United States federal statutory tax
$85.2
21.0%
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefits (a)
53.0
13.1
Foreign tax effects
Switzerland
Basis difference
45.3
11.2
Other
(5.2)
(1.3)
Other foreign jurisdictions
11.3
2.8
Effect of cross-border laws (b)
(3.6)
(0.9)
Tax Credits
Research and development
(17.5)
(4.3)
Other
(14.0)
(3.4)
Changes in valuation allowances
(33.1)
(8.2)
Nontaxable or nondeductible items
Nondeductible goodwill
347.5
85.7
Other
5.5
1.4
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits
(9.5)
(2.4)
Other adjustments
Basis difference
(61.7)
(15.2)
Other
11.1
2.7
Effective income tax
$414.3
102.2%
(a)State taxes in California, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Wisconsin comprised the majority (greater than 50 percent) of
the tax effect in this category.
(b)Includes the impact of any tax credits.
The following table reconciles the United States federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate for fiscal 2025 and
fiscal 2024.
Fiscal Year
2025
2024
United States federal statutory tax
21.0%
21.0%
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefits
2.1
2.1
Foreign rate differences
(1.7)
(1.6)
Research and development tax credit
(1.5)
(1.2)
Stock based compensation
(0.2)
(0.3)
Divestitures, net
(0.3)
—
Other, net
0.8
(0.4)
Effective income tax rate
20.2%
19.6%
Net income tax payments for fiscal 2026 were as follows:
In Millions
Fiscal Year
2026
United States — federal
$258.7
United States — state and local
72.1
Foreign
60.1
Total income taxes paid, net of refunds
$390.9
Net income tax payments for fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024 were as follows:
Fiscal Year
In Millions
2025
2024
Total income taxes paid, net of refunds
$599.2
$660.5
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
In Millions
May 31, 2026
May 25, 2025
Accrued liabilities
$40.4
$42.9
Compensation and employee benefits
119.1
144.3
Unrealized hedges
17.5
23.1
Pension
62.9
74.2
Tax credit carryforwards
89.8
58.1
Stock, partnership, and miscellaneous investments
2.8
4.0
Capitalized research and development
39.8
305.5
Prepayments
—
65.9
Capital losses
26.5
28.5
Net operating losses
35.7
265.2
Other
138.3
161.1
Gross deferred tax assets
572.8
1,172.8
Valuation allowance
214.6
253.7
Net deferred tax assets
358.2
919.1
Brands
1,341.5
1,436.0
Fixed assets
394.3
496.1
Intangible assets
199.0
247.3
Inventories
33.7
31.3
Stock, partnership, and miscellaneous investments
532.5
512.2
Other
123.0
110.9
Gross deferred tax liabilities
2,624.0
2,833.8
Net deferred tax liability
$2,265.8
$1,914.7
We have established a valuation allowance against certain of the categories of deferred tax assets described above as current evidence
does not suggest we will realize sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (e.g., ordinary income versus capital gain
income) within the carryforward period to allow us to realize these deferred tax benefits.
Deferred income taxes classified as held for sale as of May 31, 2026, are excluded from the amounts above. See Note 3 for additional
information.
Information about our valuation allowance follows:
In Millions
May 31, 2026
Pillsbury acquisition losses
$109.0
State and foreign loss carryforwards
50.1
Capital loss carryforwards
26.5
Other
29.0
Total
$214.6
As of May 31, 2026, we believe it is more-likely-than-not that the remainder of our deferred tax assets are realizable.
Information about our tax loss carryforwards follows:
In Millions
May 31, 2026
Foreign loss carryforwards
$28.0
Federal operating loss carryforwards
1.3
State operating loss carryforwards
6.4
Total tax loss carryforwards
$35.7
Our foreign loss carryforwards expire as follows:
In Millions
May 31, 2026
Expire in fiscal 2027 and 2028
$1.3
Expire in fiscal 2029 and beyond
9.2
Do not expire
17.5
Total foreign loss carryforwards
$28.0
On July 4, 2025, legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law. The OBBBA makes changes to
the United States corporate income tax system, including, among other provisions, the immediate expensing of research and
development expenditures, and 100 percent bonus depreciation on qualified property. The impacts of the OBBBA are reflected in our
results for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2026, and there was no material impact to our income tax expense. As of the fiscal year ended
May 31, 2026, certain provisions of the OBBBA have impacted the timing of cash tax payments.
In December 2021, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) established a framework, referred to as
Pillar 2, designed to ensure large multinational enterprises pay a minimum 15 percent level of tax on the income arising in each
jurisdiction in which they operate. Numerous countries have already enacted the OECD model rules effective for taxable years
beginning after December 31, 2023, which for us was fiscal 2025. There was no material impact on our consolidated financial
statements. Several other countries have enacted or drafted legislation that is not yet effective for us, and we do not expect this
legislation to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We will continue to monitor for new legislation and
guidance and evaluate any potential impact on our consolidated financial statements.
As of May 31, 2026, we have not recognized a deferred tax liability for unremitted earnings from foreign operations because we
currently believe our subsidiaries have invested the undistributed earnings indefinitely or the earnings will be remitted in a tax-neutral
transaction. It is not practicable for us to determine the amount of unrecognized tax expense on these reinvested earnings. Deferred
taxes are recorded for earnings of our foreign operations when we determine that such earnings are no longer indefinitely reinvested.
All earnings prior to fiscal 2018 remain permanently reinvested. Earnings from fiscal 2018 and later are not permanently reinvested
and local country withholding taxes are recorded on earnings each year.
We are subject to federal income taxes in the United States as well as various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. A number of years
may elapse before an uncertain tax position is audited and finally resolved. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the
timing of resolution of any particular uncertain tax position, we believe that our liabilities for income taxes reflect the most likely
outcome. We adjust these liabilities, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement of any
particular position would usually require the use of cash.
The number of years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. Our major taxing jurisdiction is the United States
(federal and state). Various tax examinations by United States state taxing authorities could be conducted for any open tax year, which
vary by jurisdiction, but are generally from 3 to 5 years.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is currently auditing our federal tax returns for fiscal 2018 through 2022. Several state and foreign
examinations are currently in progress. We do not expect these examinations to result in a material impact on our results of operations
or financial position. During fiscal 2024, we received a notice of proposed adjustment from the IRS associated with a capital loss from
fiscal 2019.  We believe that we have meritorious defense against this assessment and will vigorously defend our position. We do not
expect the resolution of the proposed adjustment to have a material impact on our financial position or liquidity. We have effectively
settled all issues with the IRS for fiscal years 2015 and prior.
The Brazilian tax authority, Secretaria da Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB), has concluded audits of our 2012 through 2020 tax return
years. These audits included a review of our determinations of amortization of certain goodwill arising from the acquisition of Yoki
Alimentos S.A. The RFB has proposed adjustments that effectively eliminate the goodwill amortization benefits related to this
transaction. We believe we have meritorious defenses and intend to continue to contest the disallowance for all years. Tax return years
2012 through 2013 have been resolved with no adjustments.
We apply a more-likely-than-not threshold to the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions. Accordingly, we recognize
the amount of tax benefit that has a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being ultimately realized upon settlement. Future changes in
judgment related to the expected ultimate resolution of uncertain tax positions will affect earnings in the period of such change.
The following table sets forth changes in our total gross unrecognized tax benefit liabilities, excluding accrued interest, for fiscal 2026
and fiscal 2025. Approximately $94.5 million of this total in fiscal 2026 represents the amount that, if recognized, would affect our
effective income tax rate in future periods. This amount differs from the gross unrecognized tax benefits presented in the table because
certain portions of the liabilities below would impact deferred taxes if recognized. We also would record a decrease in U.S. federal
income taxes upon recognition of the state tax benefits included therein. Our unrecognized tax benefit liability was classified in other
liabilities.
Fiscal Year
In Millions
2026
2025
Balance, beginning of year
$199.0
$149.0
Tax positions related to current year:
Additions
51.2
48.7
Tax positions related to prior years:
Additions
2.8
13.0
Reductions
(38.1)
(2.8)
Settlements
(6.3)
(2.6)
Lapses in statutes of limitations
(4.7)
(6.3)
Balance, end of year
$203.9
$199.0
We report accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefit liabilities in income tax expense. For fiscal 2026, we
recognized a net expense of $3.0 million of tax-related net interest and penalties, and had $29.1 million of accrued interest and
penalties as of May 31, 2026. For fiscal 2025, we recognized a net expense of $2.7 million of tax-related net interest and penalties, and
had $27.0 million of accrued interest and penalties as of May 25, 2025.