ADOBE INC.ADBE

ADOBE INC. Income Taxes Disclosure

10-KFiled Jan 15, 20265 min read
INCOME TAXES
Income before income taxes for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:
(in millions)
202520242023
Domestic$6,721 $4,160 $3,465 
Foreign2,013 2,771 3,334 
Income before income taxes$8,734 $6,931 $6,799 
The provision for income taxes for fiscal 2025, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:
(in millions)
202520242023
Current:   
United States federal$1,509 $1,292 $1,198 
Foreign348 315 335 
State and local261 232 260 
Total current2,118 1,839 1,793 
Deferred:   
United States federal(499)(580)(556)
Foreign40 179 227 
State and local(55)(67)(93)
Total deferred(514)(468)(422)
Provision for income taxes
$1,604 $1,371 $1,371 
Reconciliation of Provision for Income Taxes
Total income tax expense differed from the income tax expense computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% as a result of the following:
(in millions)
202520242023
Tax expense computed at U.S. federal statutory rate$1,834 $1,456 $1,428 
Effects of non-U.S. operations(300)(198)(116)
Tax credits(154)(150)(130)
Tax settlements(55)(85)(14)
State tax expense, net of federal benefit171 139 132 
Stock-based compensation90 (23)29 
Acquisition termination fee
— 210 — 
Other18 22 42 
Provision for income taxes
$1,604 $1,371 $1,371 
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
The tax effects of the temporary differences that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of November 28, 2025 and November 29, 2024 were as follows:
(in millions)
20252024
Deferred tax assets:  
Capitalized expenses$2,065 $1,625 
Credit carryforwards477 343 
Net operating loss and capital loss carryforwards
306 308 
Accrued liabilities
202 174 
Intangible assets93 117 
Stock-based compensation70 66 
Operating lease liabilities68 79 
Benefits relating to tax positions59 64 
Total gross deferred tax assets3,340 2,776 
Valuation allowance(806)(725)
Total deferred tax assets2,534 2,051 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Acquired intangible assets144 180 
Prepaid expenses112 112 
Depreciation and amortization62 70 
Operating lease right-of-use assets45 52 
Other16 11 
Total deferred tax liabilities379 425 
Net deferred tax assets$2,155 $1,626 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and for tax loss and credit carryforwards.
As of November 28, 2025, we had federal and state tax credit carryforwards of approximately $146 million and $412 million, respectively, as well as state net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $410 million. The majority of the state tax credits can be carried forward indefinitely, and the remaining net operating loss and credit carryforwards will expire in
various years from fiscal 2026 through 2039. We also had federal and state capital loss carryforwards of $1.13 billion, most of which will expire in 2029. Certain tax loss and credit carryforwards are subject to limitations and/or are reduced by a valuation allowance. The net carrying amount of such assets is expected to be fully realized.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management determined that it is more likely than not that we will not fully realize certain available tax assets. Deferred tax assets are offset by a valuation allowance to the extent it is more likely than not that they are not expected to be realized. As of November 28, 2025, we continue to maintain a valuation allowance of $806 million primarily related to certain U.S. state and federal credits and capital loss carryforwards. For fiscal 2025, the increase in the valuation allowance was $81 million.
As we repatriate foreign earnings for use in the United States, the distributions will generally be exempt from federal income taxes. As of November 28, 2025, the cumulative amount of foreign earnings considered permanently reinvested upon which taxes have not been provided, and the corresponding unrecognized deferred tax liability, was not material.
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
During fiscal 2025 and 2024, the aggregate changes in our total gross amount of unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:
(in millions)
20252024
Beginning balance$683 $501 
Gross increases in unrecognized tax benefits – prior year tax positions12 6 
Gross decreases in unrecognized tax benefits – prior year tax positions(50)(10)
Gross increases in unrecognized tax benefits – current year tax positions108 269 
Lapse of statute of limitations(60)(63)
Tax settlements— (20)
Ending balance$693 $683 
Our policy is to record interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions within the provision for income taxes. As of November 28, 2025 and November 29, 2024, the combined amounts of accrued interest and penalties included in long-term income taxes payable related to tax positions taken on our tax returns were not material.
While we file federal, state and local income tax returns globally, our major tax jurisdictions are the United States, California and Ireland. We are subject to the examination of our income tax returns by various domestic and foreign tax authorities with 2021 being the earliest fiscal year open for examination in our major tax jurisdictions. We regularly assess the likelihood of outcomes resulting from examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes and have reserved for potential adjustments that may result. While we believe our tax estimates are reasonable, we cannot provide assurance that the final determination of any of these examinations will not have an adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations.
The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain as are the amounts and timing of tax payments that are part of any audit settlement process. These events could cause large fluctuations in the balance sheet classification of our tax assets and liabilities. We believe that within the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that either certain audits will conclude or statutes of limitations on certain income tax examination periods will expire, or both. Although the timing of resolution, settlement and closing of audits is not certain, it is reasonably possible that the underlying unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $40 million over the next 12 months.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Jan 15, 2026Showing above
2024Jan 13, 2025
2023Jan 17, 2024
2022Jan 17, 2023
2021Jan 21, 2022
2020Jan 15, 2021
2019Jan 21, 2020
2018Jan 25, 2019
2017Jan 22, 2018
2016Jan 20, 2017
2015Jan 19, 2016

About Income Taxes Disclosures

The income tax disclosure reveals how much a company actually pays in taxes versus what the statutory rate would predict. Analysts focus on the effective tax rate (ETR) reconciliation, which breaks down every item driving the gap between the 21% federal rate and the company's reported ETR — including R&D credits, foreign rate differentials, and state taxes. Deferred tax assets (DTAs) and their valuation allowances signal management's confidence in future profitability: a rising allowance suggests the company doubts it can use accumulated tax benefits. Uncertain tax benefit (UTB) reserves quantify exposure to IRS challenges on aggressive positions.

Key signals to watch: sudden ETR drops without clear operational reasons, large increases in valuation allowances, growing UTB balances, and significant unremitted foreign earnings. Post-TCJA, pay attention to GILTI and BEAT provisions that affect multinational tax structures. Compare the cash taxes paid (from the cash flow statement) against the income tax provision to gauge earnings quality.

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