Income Tax Accounting Policy
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from profit as reported in the consolidated statement of operations because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. ArcelorMittal’s liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted as of the statement of financial position date.
Deferred tax is recognized on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities, in the financial statements and the corresponding tax basis used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the statement of financial position liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are generally recognized for all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are generally recognized for all deductible temporary differences and net operation loss carryforwards to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which those deductible temporary differences can be utilized. Such assets and liabilities are not recognized if the taxable temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or if the differences arise from the initial recognition (other than in a business combination) of other assets and liabilities in a transaction that affects neither the taxable profit nor the accounting profit.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where ArcelorMittal is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets arising from deductible temporary differences associated with such investments and interests are only recognized to the extent that it is probable that there will be sufficient taxable profits against which to utilize the benefits of the temporary differences and they are expected to reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period in which the liability is settled or the asset realized, based on tax rates (and tax laws) that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the statement of financial position date. The measurement of deferred tax liabilities and assets reflects the tax consequences that would follow from the manner in which ArcelorMittal expects, at the reporting date, to recover or settle the carrying amount of its assets and liabilities. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each statement of financial position date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and ArcelorMittal intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
Source: ArcelorMittal, Annual Report
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