Other

Unrecognized tax benefits

Exxon Mobil Unrecognized tax benefits increased by 2.4% to $4.13B in Q4 2025 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 2.4%, from $4.04B to $4.13B. Over 5 years (FY 2020 to FY 2025), Unrecognized tax benefits shows a downward trend with a -14.0% CAGR. This increase may warrant attention — for this metric, lower values are generally preferred.

Analysis

StatementBalance Sheet Statement
SectionOther
CategoryRisk
SignalLower is better
VolatilityModerate
First reportedQ4 2017
Last reportedQ4 2025Feb 18, 2026

How to read this metric

An increase suggests more aggressive tax positions or increased scrutiny from tax authorities, while a decrease indicates resolution of tax uncertainties.

Detailed definition

Represents the total amount of tax benefits that have been taken or are expected to be taken in tax returns but have not...

Peer comparison

Standard disclosure for large multinational corporations; peers with complex global tax structures typically report significant balances.

Metric ID: other_unrecognized_tax_benefits

Historical Data

5 periods
 Q4 '21Q4 '22Q4 '23Q4 '24Q4 '25
Value$9.13B$3.40B$3.94B$4.04B$4.13B
QoQ Change-62.8%+15.8%+2.5%+2.4%
YoY Change-62.8%+15.8%+2.5%+2.4%
Range$3.40B$9.13B
CAGR-54.8%
Avg YoY Growth-10.5%
Median YoY Growth+2.5%
Current Streak3 quarters growth

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exxon Mobil's unrecognized tax benefits?
Exxon Mobil (XOM) reported unrecognized tax benefits of $4.13B in Q4 2025.
How has Exxon Mobil's unrecognized tax benefits changed year-over-year?
Exxon Mobil's unrecognized tax benefits increased by 2.4% year-over-year, from $4.04B to $4.13B.
What is the long-term trend for Exxon Mobil's unrecognized tax benefits?
Over 5 years (2020 to 2025), Exxon Mobil's unrecognized tax benefits has grown at a -14.0% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $8.76B to $4.13B.
What does unrecognized tax benefits mean?
The total value of tax positions taken that are not yet fully recognized in financial reporting due to uncertainty.