Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes

v3.21.1
Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
INCOME TAXES INCOME TAXES
Income (loss) before income taxes was generated as follows:
For the Years Ended
February 28,
2021		 February 29,
2020		 February 28,
2019
(in millions)
Domestic $ 495.2  $ (2,230.1) $ 1,615.9 
Foreign 2,047.7  1,284.9  2,529.1 
$ 2,542.9  $ (945.2) $ 4,145.0 

The income tax provision (benefit) consisted of the following:
For the Years Ended
February 28,
2021		 February 29,
2020		 February 28,
2019
(in millions)
Current
Federal $ 74.0  $ 66.5  $ 4.1 
State 19.1  12.1  15.7 
Foreign 81.6  108.5  239.2 
Total current 174.7  187.1  259.0 
Deferred
Federal 152.8  (459.9) 223.9 
State 28.3  (118.3) 75.0 
Foreign 155.3  (575.5) 128.0 
Total deferred 336.4  (1,153.7) 426.9 
Income tax provision (benefit) $ 511.1  $ (966.6) $ 685.9 
A reconciliation of the total tax provision (benefit) to the amount computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to income before provision for (benefit from) income taxes is as follows:
For the Years Ended
February 28, 2021 February 29, 2020 February 28, 2019
Amount % of
Pretax
Income (Loss)		 Amount % of
Pretax
Income (Loss)		 Amount % of
Pretax
Income (Loss)
(in millions, except % of pretax income (loss) data)
Income tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate $ 534.0  21.0  % $ (198.5) 21.0  % $ 870.5  21.0  %
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit (1)
39.0  1.5  % (82.3) 8.7  % 81.3  2.0  %
Net income tax provision (benefit) from legislative changes (2)
10.9  0.4  % (547.4) 57.9  % (37.6) (0.9  %)
Earnings taxed at other than U.S. statutory rate (3)
(84.4) (3.2  %) (46.5) 5.0  % (81.0) (1.9  %)
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation awards (4)
(29.4) (1.2  %) (56.2) 5.9  % (82.9) (2.0  %)
Net income tax provision (benefit) recognized for adjustment to valuation allowance 27.1  1.1  % (32.8) 3.5  % (74.1) (1.8  %)
Miscellaneous items, net 13.9  0.5  % (2.9) 0.3  % 9.7  0.1  %
Income tax provision (benefit) at effective rate $ 511.1  20.1  % $ (966.6) 102.3  % $ 685.9  16.5  %
(1)Includes differences resulting from adjustments to the current and deferred state effective tax rates.
(2)The year ended February 28, 2021, represents a net income tax (provision) benefit resulting from initiatives under the CARES Act. The year ended February 29, 2020, represents the recognition of a net income tax benefit resulting from the remeasurement of our deferred tax assets in connection with the September 2019 enactment of tax reform in Switzerland. The year ended February 28, 2019, represents the recognition of a net income tax benefit related to the TCJ Act.
(3)Consists of the following (i) difference between the U.S. statutory rate and local jurisdiction tax rates, (ii) the provision for incremental U.S. taxes on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries offset by foreign tax credits, (iii) the non-U.S. portion of tax provision (benefit) recorded on the net unrealized gain (loss) from the changes in fair value of our investment in Canopy, and (iv) the non-U.S. portion of tax benefits recorded on the Canopy equity in earnings (losses) and related activities.
(4)Represents the recognition of the income tax effect of stock-based compensation awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the future income tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income.
Significant components of deferred tax assets (liabilities) consist of the following:
February 28,
2021		 February 29,
2020
(in millions)
Deferred tax assets
Intangible assets $ 1,852.0  $ 2,045.8 
Loss carryforwards 233.1  225.9 
Stock-based compensation 30.1  75.6 
Lease liabilities 83.1  89.2 
Inventory 26.6  32.4 
Investments in unconsolidated investees 36.7  106.1 
Other accruals 33.7  35.0 
Gross deferred tax assets 2,295.3  2,610.0 
Valuation allowances (78.6) (54.1)
Deferred tax assets, net 2,216.7  2,555.9 
Deferred tax liabilities
Property, plant, and equipment (200.3) (175.5)
Provision for unremitted earnings (23.0) (27.5)
Right-of-use assets (70.6) (80.5)
Total deferred tax liabilities (293.9) (283.5)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities), net $ 1,922.8  $ 2,272.4 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making this assessment, we consider the projected reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income as well as tax planning strategies. Based upon this assessment, we believe it is more likely than not that we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of any valuation allowances.

As of February 28, 2021, operating loss carryforwards, which are primarily state and foreign, totaling $1.6 billion are being carried forward in a number of jurisdictions where we are permitted to use tax operating losses from prior periods to reduce future taxable income. Of these operating loss carryforwards, $1.2 billion will expire by fiscal 2027, $344.1 million will expire between fiscal 2028 and fiscal 2041, and $92.5 million of operating losses in certain jurisdictions may be carried forward indefinitely. Additionally, as of February 28, 2021, federal capital losses totaling $168.1 million are being carried forward and will expire in fiscal 2022.

We have recognized valuation allowances for operating loss carryforwards, capital loss carryforwards, and other deferred tax assets when we believe it is more likely than not that these items will not be realized. The increase in our valuation allowances as of February 28, 2021, primarily relate to adjustments in expected utilization of capital loss carryforwards in connection with the Wine and Spirits Divestiture and the Paul Masson Divestiture.
The liability for income taxes associated with uncertain tax positions, excluding interest and penalties, and a reconciliation of the beginning and ending unrecognized tax benefit liabilities is as follows:
For the Years Ended
February 28,
2021		 February 29,
2020		 February 28,
2019
(in millions)
Balance as of March 1 $ 249.4  $ 224.3  $ 89.3 
Increases as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period 3.1  11.4  56.4 
Decreases as a result of tax positions taken during a prior period (15.4) (14.8) (1.4)
Increases as a result of tax positions taken during the current period 15.2  29.0  88.8 
Decreases related to settlements with tax authorities (10.2) (0.1) (0.8)
Decreases related to lapse of applicable statute of limitations (6.0) (0.4) (8.0)
Balance as of last day of February $ 236.1  $ 249.4  $ 224.3 

As of February 28, 2021, and February 29, 2020, we had $268.9 million and $276.2 million, respectively, of non-current unrecognized tax benefit liabilities, including interest and penalties, recognized on our balance sheets. These liabilities are recorded as non-current as payment of cash is not anticipated within one year of the balance sheet date.

As of February 28, 2021, and February 29, 2020, we had $236.1 million and $249.4 million, respectively, of unrecognized tax benefit liabilities that, if recognized, would decrease the effective tax rate in the year of resolution.

We file U.S. federal income tax returns and various state, local, and foreign income tax returns. Major tax jurisdictions where we are subject to examination by tax authorities include Canada, Mexico, Switzerland, and the U.S. Various U.S. federal, state and foreign income tax examinations are currently in progress. It is reasonably possible that the liability associated with our unrecognized tax benefit liabilities will increase or decrease within the next twelve months as a result of these examinations or the expiration of statutes of limitation. As of February 28, 2021, we estimate that unrecognized tax benefit liabilities could change by a range of $1 million to $8 million. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local, or foreign income tax examinations for fiscal years prior to February 28, 2014.

We provide for additional tax expense based on probable outcomes of ongoing tax examinations and assessments in various jurisdictions. While it is often difficult to predict the outcome or the timing of resolution of any tax matter, we believe the reserves reflect the probable outcome of known tax contingencies. Unfavorable settlement of any particular issue would require the use of cash.