v3.26.1
Taxes on Earnings
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2026
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Taxes on Earnings
Note 14 — Taxes on Earnings
Taxes on earnings reflect the estimated annual effective rates and include charges for interest and penalties. In the first six months of 2026 and 2025, taxes on earnings included $18 million and $84 million, respectively, in excess tax benefits associated with share-based compensation. In the first six months of 2026 and 2025, taxes on earnings included approximately $440 million and $300 million, respectively, of tax expense related to a deferred tax asset that was recognized as a significant non-cash tax benefit in a prior year. In the first six months of 2026 and 2025, taxes on earnings also included approximately $60 million of net tax expense and $90 million of net tax benefit, respectively, primarily as the result of the resolution of various tax positions related to prior years.
In September 2023, Abbott received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency (SNOD) from the IRS for the 2019 Federal tax year in the amount of $417 million. The primary adjustments proposed in the SNOD relate to the reallocation of income between Abbott’s U.S. entities and its foreign affiliates. Abbott believes that the income reallocation adjustments proposed in the SNOD are without merit, in part because certain adjustments contradict methods that were agreed to with the IRS in prior audit periods. The SNOD also contains other proposed adjustments that Abbott believes are erroneous and unsupported. Abbott filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the SNOD in December 2023.
In June 2024, Abbott received a SNOD from the IRS for the 2017 and 2018 Federal tax years in the amount of $192 million. The matters proposed in the 2017/2018 SNOD are substantially similar to the income allocation adjustments included in the 2019 SNOD. Abbott filed a petition in September 2024 with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the 2017/2018 SNOD in a manner consistent with its petition for the 2019 SNOD.
In October 2024, Abbott received a SNOD from the IRS for the 2020 Federal tax year assessing an additional $443 million of income tax. The primary adjustments proposed in the SNOD are substantially similar to the income allocation adjustments included in the 2017/2018 and 2019 SNODs. Abbott believes that the income reallocation adjustments proposed in the SNOD are without merit. The SNOD also contains other proposed adjustments and omissions that Abbott believes are erroneous and unsupported. In addition to the tax assessment for the 2020 tax year, the 2020 SNOD also contested a deduction for which an estimated $440 million cash tax benefit would be available in a different taxable year as allowed under applicable U.S. tax law. Abbott filed a petition with the U.S. Tax Court contesting the SNOD in December 2024.
Abbott and the IRS are in active discussions regarding several of the disputed items contained in the 2017 – 2020 SNODs.
In July 2024, Abbott received a $413 million tax assessment from the Malaysian tax authorities for the 2023 tax year. The assessment applies a property capital gains tax on the value of the shares associated with the intercompany sale of an affiliate. Abbott believes the assessment of the Malaysian tax authority to be without merit. In October 2025, the Penang High Court upheld the assessment of the Malaysian tax authority. In October 2025, Abbott filed an appeal with the Malaysian Court of Appeals.
There are numerous other income tax jurisdictions for which tax returns are not yet settled, none of which Abbott expects to be individually significant. Abbott intends to vigorously defend its filing positions in all jurisdictions in which it has unresolved tax matters through ongoing discussions with taxing administrations and/or through litigation as necessary. Abbott reserves for uncertain tax positions related to unresolved tax matters where Abbott’s tax filing position does not meet the standard for recognition of an income tax benefit. Abbott continues to believe that the amount of its recorded reserves for uncertain tax positions is appropriate. Reserves for interest and penalties are not significant.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development (OECD) has proposed a two-pillared plan for a revised international tax system. Pillar 1 proposes to reallocate taxing rights among the jurisdictions in which in-scope multinational corporations operate. Pillar 2 proposes to assess a 15 percent minimum tax on the earnings of in-scope multinational corporations on a country-by-country basis. Numerous countries have enacted legislation to adopt the Pillar 2 model rules. On January 5, 2026, the OECD released administrative guidance that, when enacted, exempts U.S.-parented groups from the Pillar 2 minimum tax. Abbott continues to monitor legislative developments and assess any potential impacts on Abbott's operations for both the Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 proposals.