Other
Unrecognized tax benefits
3M Unrecognized tax benefits decreased by 10.1% to $516M in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 10.1%, from $574M to $516M. Over 5 years (FY 2020 to FY 2025), Unrecognized tax benefits shows a downward trend with a -14.3% 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 2018
Last reportedQ4 2025Feb 3, 2026
How to read this metric
Higher values indicate greater tax uncertainty and potential future cash outflows for tax settlements.
Detailed definition
This represents the total liability for uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It reflec...
Peer comparison
A standard line item for all public companies, reflecting the aggressiveness of tax planning and audit exposure.
Metric ID:
other_unrecognized_tax_benefitsHistorical Data
5 periods
| Q4 '21 | Q4 '22 | Q4 '23 | Q4 '24 | Q4 '25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $770M | $632M | $590M | $574M | $516M |
| QoQ Change | — | -17.9% | -6.6% | -2.7% | -10.1% |
| YoY Change | — | -17.9% | -6.6% | -2.7% | -10.1% |
Range$516M – $770M
CAGR-33.0%
Avg YoY Growth-9.3%
Median YoY Growth-8.4%
Current Streak4+ quarters decline
Unrecognized tax benefits at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is 3M's unrecognized tax benefits?
- 3M (MMM) reported unrecognized tax benefits of $516M in Q4 2025.
- How has 3M's unrecognized tax benefits changed year-over-year?
- 3M's unrecognized tax benefits decreased by 10.1% year-over-year, from $574M to $516M.
- What is the long-term trend for 3M's unrecognized tax benefits?
- Over 5 years (2020 to 2025), 3M's unrecognized tax benefits has grown at a -14.3% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.11B to $516M.
- What does unrecognized tax benefits mean?
- The total value of tax benefits claimed by the company that may be disallowed by tax authorities.