Failures of the third-party servers, cloud service providers and other third-party hardware, software and infrastructure on which we rely could adversely affect our business
We rely on servers, cloud service providers and other third-party hardware, software and infrastructure to support our operations. The owners and operators of the data centers and cloud services with which we are engaged do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free services. Problems faced by our third-party hosting providers, including technological or business-related disruptions, could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Our servers, data centers and other facilities are also vulnerable to damage or interruption from fires, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, power loss, telecommunications failures, pandemics or similar catastrophic events. Disruptions to these servers or facilities could interrupt our ability to provide our products and services and materially adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Risks Related to Tax, Legal and Regulatory Matters
We are the defendants in various lawsuits and have been subject to tax disputes and governmental proceedings, which could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition
As a global company we are subject to taxation in Israel, the United States and various other countries. We attempt to utilize an efficient operating model and accordingly to pay taxes based on the laws in the countries in which we operate. Nonetheless, various tax authorities in different parts of the world may disagree with our operating sale model. This may lead to disputes and to tax assessments, which can have a negative effect on our tax liabilities.
In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination by tax authorities around the world. It is possible that tax authorities may disagree with certain positions we have taken and any adverse outcome of such a review, investigation or audit could have a negative effect on our financial position and results of operations. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations, and audits to determine the adequacy of our provision for income and other taxes, but the determination of our worldwide provision for income taxes and other tax liabilities requires significant judgment by management, and there are transactions where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax outcome may differ from the amounts recorded in our consolidated financial statements and may materially affect our financial results in the period or periods for which such determination is made. There can be no assurance that the outcomes from continuous examinations will not have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In particular, following audits of our 2016 through 2020 corporate tax returns, the Israeli Tax Authority (the “ITA”) issued in January 2023 orders for the years 2016 through 2019 challenging our positions on several issues, including matters such as our position to claim a tax credit made for foreign taxes withheld on income payments that was due to the Company outside of Israel, taxation of interest earned outside of Israel by a wholly-owned Singapore subsidiary which the ITA is seeking to tax in Israel and deductibility of expenses attributed to employee stock options. The ITA orders also contest the Company’s positions on various other issues. The ITA therefore demanded the payment of additional taxes in the aggregate amount of NIS 428 million (approximately $122 million), not including an amount of NIS 418 million (approximately $119 million) related to expenses that will be deductible in future years , with respect of these four tax years (these amounts include interest through December 31, 2022). We believe we have good arguments against these orders and intend to file an appeal.
In addition, the ITA has issued tax assessment for the 2020 tax year in which it demanded the payment of additional taxes in the aggregate amount of NIS 74 million (approximately $21 million), not including an amount of NIS 94 million (approximately $27 million) related to expenses that will be deductible in future years, with respect to this year (these amounts include interest through December 31, 2022). There can be no assurance that the ITA will accept the Company’s positions on the matters raised and, if it does not, the ITA may also issue an order with respect to the 2020 tax year.
We are the defendant in various other lawsuits, including employment-related litigation claims, construction claims and other legal proceedings in the normal course of our business. Litigation and governmental proceedings can be expensive, lengthy and disruptive to normal business operations, and can require extensive management attention and resources, regardless of their merit. While we currently intend to defend the aforementioned matters vigorously, we cannot predict the results of complex legal proceedings, and an unfavorable resolution of a lawsuit or proceeding could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. See also “Item 8 – Financial Information” under the caption “Legal Proceedings”.
Uncertainties in the interpretation and application of worldwide tax reforms, complex tax laws and regulations could materially affect our tax obligations and effective tax rate
On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which, among other provisions, reduced the U.S. corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, limited the tax deduction for interest expense to 30% of adjusted taxable income, implemented a “base erosion anti-abuse tax”, repealed the alternative minimum tax, or AMT, for corporations, limited the deduction for net operating
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