Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

v3.23.1
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Apr. 01, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Commitments
VF is obligated under noncancelable operating leases. Refer to Note 10 for additional information related to future lease payments.
In the ordinary course of business, VF has entered into purchase commitments for finished products and raw materials. Total payments required under these agreements, which primarily relate to finished products, are $2.2 billion, $68.1 million and $0.1 million for Fiscal 2024 through 2026, respectively, and no commitments thereafter.
VF has entered into commitments for (i) capital spending, (ii) service and maintenance agreements related to its management information systems, and (iii) other obligations. Future payments under these agreements are $160.4 million, $68.2 million, $54.3 million, $32.7 million and $3.5 million for Fiscal 2024 through 2028, respectively, and no commitments thereafter.
Surety bonds, customs bonds, standby letters of credit and international bank guarantees, all of which represent contingent guarantees of performance under self-insurance and other programs, totaled $110.9 million as of March 2023. These commitments would only be drawn upon if VF were to fail to meet its claims or other obligations.
Contingencies
As previously reported, VF petitioned the U.S. Tax Court (the “Court”) to resolve an IRS dispute regarding the timing of income inclusion associated with VF’s acquisition of The Timberland Company in September 2011. While the IRS argues
that all such income should have been immediately included in 2011, VF has reported periodic income inclusions in subsequent tax years. Both parties moved for summary judgment on the issue. On January 31, 2022, the Court issued its opinion in favor of the IRS and on July 14, 2022 issued its final decision. VF believes the opinion of the Court was in error based on the technical merits and filed a notice of appeal on October 7, 2022. On October 19, 2022, VF paid $875.7 million related to the 2011 taxes and interest being disputed, which was recorded as an income tax receivable based on the technical merits of our position with regards to the case and will accrue interest income. VF continues to believe its timing and treatment of the income inclusion is appropriate and VF is vigorously defending its position. However, should the Court opinion ultimately be upheld on appeal, this income tax receivable will not be collected by VF. If the Court opinion is upheld, VF should be entitled to a refund of taxes paid on the periodic inclusions that VF has reported. However, any such refund could be substantially reduced by potential indirect tax effects resulting from application of the Court opinion. Deferred tax liabilities, representing VF’s future tax on annual inclusions, would also be released. The net impact to tax expense is estimated to be up to $730.0 million, plus the reversal of any interest income accrued on the payment, which was approximately $12.0 million at March 2023.
The Company is currently involved in other legal proceedings that are ordinary, routine litigation incidental to the business, the resolution of which is not currently expected to have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.