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Non-Current Liabilities

Unrecognized Tax Benefits - Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued

McDonald's Unrecognized Tax Benefits - Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued increased by 5.9% to $18M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 5.9%, from $17M to $18M. Over 5 years (FY 2020 to FY 2025), Unrecognized Tax Benefits - Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued shows a downward trend with a -36.7% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementBalance Sheet Statement
SectionNon-Current Liabilities
CategoryRisk
SignalLower is better
VolatilityModerate
First reportedQ4 2014
Last reportedQ4 2025Feb 24, 2026

How to read this metric

An increase indicates growing potential costs associated with tax disputes, while a decrease suggests the resolution of such risks.

Detailed definition

This represents the accrued interest and potential penalties associated with the unrecognized tax benefits mentioned abo...

Peer comparison

Standard component of tax risk disclosures for large, multinational enterprises.

Metric ID: unrecognized_tax_benefits_interest_penalties

Historical Data

5 periods
 Q4 '21Q4 '22Q4 '23Q4 '24Q4 '25
Value$183.6M$24.7M$25M$17M$18M
QoQ Change-86.5%+1.2%-32.0%+5.9%
YoY Change-86.5%+1.2%-32.0%+5.9%
Range$17M$183.6M
CAGR-90.2%
Avg YoY Growth-27.9%
Median YoY Growth-15.4%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is McDonald's's unrecognized tax benefits - income tax penalties and interest accrued?
McDonald's (MCD) reported unrecognized tax benefits - income tax penalties and interest accrued of $18M in Q4 2025.
How has McDonald's's unrecognized tax benefits - income tax penalties and interest accrued changed year-over-year?
McDonald's's unrecognized tax benefits - income tax penalties and interest accrued increased by 5.9% year-over-year, from $17M to $18M.
What is the long-term trend for McDonald's's unrecognized tax benefits - income tax penalties and interest accrued?
Over 5 years (2020 to 2025), McDonald's's unrecognized tax benefits - income tax penalties and interest accrued has grown at a -36.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $177.4M to $18M.
What does unrecognized tax benefits - income tax penalties and interest accrued mean?
The estimated interest and penalties the company would owe if its uncertain tax claims are rejected by tax authorities.