Discontinued — last reported Q2 '21
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
Merck & Co. Unrecognized Tax Benefits increased by 11.9% to $2.53B in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 11.9%, from $2.26B to $2.53B. Over 5 years (FY 2020 to FY 2025), Unrecognized Tax Benefits shows an upward trend with a 10.5% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
A decrease generally signals the resolution of tax audits or the expiration of statutes of limitations, while an increase suggests new tax planning risks.
Detailed definition
This represents the cumulative amount of tax benefits from uncertain tax positions that have not been recognized in the...
Peer comparison
Standard for multinational corporations; peers with complex global tax structures often carry significant balances in this category.
unrecognized_tax_benefitsHistorical Data
| Q4 '21 | Q4 '22 | Q4 '23 | Q4 '24 | Q4 '25 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $1.53B | $1.84B | $2.38B | $2.26B | $2.53B |
| QoQ Change | — | +20.0% | +29.9% | -5.2% | +11.9% |
| YoY Change | — | +20.0% | +29.9% | -5.2% | +11.9% |
Unrecognized Tax Benefits at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Merck & Co.'s unrecognized tax benefits?
- Merck & Co. (MRK) reported unrecognized tax benefits of $2.53B in Q4 2025.
- How has Merck & Co.'s unrecognized tax benefits changed year-over-year?
- Merck & Co.'s unrecognized tax benefits increased by 11.9% year-over-year, from $2.26B to $2.53B.
- What is the long-term trend for Merck & Co.'s unrecognized tax benefits?
- Over 5 years (2020 to 2025), Merck & Co.'s unrecognized tax benefits has grown at a 10.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.54B to $2.53B.
- What does unrecognized tax benefits mean?
- The amount of potential tax savings that the company has not yet claimed because the outcome is uncertain.