Other

Unrecognized tax benefits

Boston Scientific Unrecognized tax benefits decreased by 0.4% to $529.00M in Q3 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 7.3%, from $493.00M to $529.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2020 to FY 2024), Unrecognized tax benefits shows an upward trend with a 18.0% CAGR. This is a positive signal — lower values indicate better performance for this metric.

Analysis

StatementBalance Sheet Statement
SectionOther
CategoryRisk
SignalLower is better
VolatilityModerate
First reportedQ4 2015
Last reportedQ3 2025

How to read this metric

A decrease suggests the resolution of tax audits or the expiration of statutes of limitations, while an increase suggests new tax positions with higher uncertainty.

Detailed definition

This represents the aggregate amount of tax benefits that have not been recognized in the financial statements because t...

Peer comparison

Peers generally maintain low levels of unrecognized tax benefits to minimize audit risk and financial statement volatility.

Metric ID: other_unrecognized_tax_benefits

Historical Data

18 periods
 Q2 '21Q3 '21Q4 '21Q1 '22Q2 '22Q3 '22Q4 '22Q1 '23Q2 '23Q3 '23Q4 '23Q1 '24Q2 '24Q3 '24Q4 '24Q1 '25Q2 '25Q3 '25
Value$280.00M$277.00M$255.00M$262.00M$411.00M$419.00M$492.00M$501.00M$471.00M$475.00M$467.00M$465.00M$478.00M$493.00M$506.00M$514.00M$531.00M$529.00M
QoQ Change-1.1%-7.9%+2.7%+56.9%+1.9%+17.4%+1.8%-6.0%+0.8%-1.7%-0.4%+2.8%+3.1%+2.6%+1.6%+3.3%-0.4%
YoY Change+46.8%+51.3%+92.9%+91.2%+14.6%+13.4%-5.1%-7.2%+1.5%+3.8%+8.4%+10.5%+11.1%+7.3%
Range$255.00M$531.00M
CAGR+16.1%
Avg YoY Growth+24.3%
Median YoY Growth+10.8%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Boston Scientific's unrecognized tax benefits?
Boston Scientific (BSX) reported unrecognized tax benefits of $529.00M in Q3 2025.
How has Boston Scientific's unrecognized tax benefits changed year-over-year?
Boston Scientific's unrecognized tax benefits increased by 7.3% year-over-year, from $493.00M to $529.00M.
What is the long-term trend for Boston Scientific's unrecognized tax benefits?
Over 4 years (2020 to 2024), Boston Scientific's unrecognized tax benefits has grown at a 18.0% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $261.00M to $506.00M.
What does unrecognized tax benefits mean?
The total value of tax savings the company has claimed or expects to claim but has not yet recorded due to uncertainty.