5. Contingencies

The Company is from time to time engaged in routine litigation. The Company regularly reviews all pending litigation matters in which it is involved and establishes reserves deemed appropriate by management for these litigation matters when a probable loss estimate can be made.

The matters described in this Note may take several years to resolve. While the Company believes it has meritorious defenses, it cannot be sure of their ultimate resolution. Although the Company may reserve amounts for certain matters that the Company believes represent the most likely outcome of the resolution of these related disputes, if the Company is incorrect in its assessment, the Company may have to record additional expenses, when it becomes probable that an increased potential liability is warranted.

Tax Matters

On May 7, 2010, the Company received an assessment from the Mexican Tax Administration Service in an amount equivalent to approximately $61.3 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, for various items, the majority of which was VAT allegedly owed on certain of the Company’s products imported into Mexico during the years 2005 and 2006. This assessment is subject to interest and inflationary adjustments. On July 8, 2010, the Company initiated a formal administrative appeal process. On May 13, 2011, the Mexican Tax Administration Service issued a resolution on the Company’s administrative appeal. The resolution nullified the assessment. Since the Mexican Tax Administration Service can further review the tax audit findings and re-issue some or all of the original assessment, the Company commenced litigation in the Tax Court of Mexico in August 2011 to dispute the assertions made by the Mexican Tax Administration Service in the case. The Company received notification on February 6, 2015 that the Tax Court of Mexico nullified substantially all of the assessment. On March 18, 2015, the Mexican Tax Administration Service filed an appeal against the verdict with the Circuit Court. On August 27, 2015, the Circuit Court remanded the case back to the Tax Court of Mexico to reconsider a portion of the procedural decision that was adverse to the Mexican Tax Administration Service. The Company received notification on March 18, 2016 that the Tax Court of Mexico nullified a portion of the assessment and upheld a portion of the original assessment. On August 25, 2016, the Company filed a further appeal of this decision to the Circuit Court. On April 6, 2017, the Circuit Court issued a verdict with the Company prevailing on some lesser issues and the Tax Administration Service prevailing on the core issue. On May 11, 2017, the Company filed a further appeal to the Supreme Court of Mexico. On June 14, 2017, the Supreme Court of Mexico agreed to hear the appeal. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses if the assessment is reissued. The Company has not recognized a loss as the Company does not believe a loss is probable.

The Mexican Tax Administration Service commenced audits of the Company’s Mexican subsidiaries for the period from January to September 2007 and on May 10, 2013, the Company received an assessment of approximately $15.7 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, related to that period. This assessment is subject to interest and inflationary adjustments. On July 11, 2013, the Company filed an administrative appeal disputing the assessment. On September 22, 2014, the Mexican Tax Administration Service denied the Company’s administrative appeal. The Company commenced litigation in the Tax Court of Mexico in November 2014 to dispute the assertions made by the Mexican Tax Administration Service in the case. On January 16, 2018, the Tax Court of Mexico issued a verdict upholding the assessment issued by the Mexican Tax Administration Service. On April 16, 2018, the Company filed an appeal of this verdict, and litigation is ongoing. The Company has not recognized a loss as the Company does not believe a loss is probable. The Company issued a surety bond in the amount of $19.3 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, through an insurance company to guarantee payment of the tax assessment as required while the Company pursues an appeal of the assessment, and the surety bond remained effective as of September 30, 2018.

The Mexican Tax Administration Service has delayed processing VAT refunds for companies operating in Mexico and the Company believes that the process for its Mexico subsidiary to receive VAT refunds may be delayed. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $35.7 million of Mexico VAT related assets, of which $26.4 million was within non-current other assets and $9.3 million was within prepaid expenses and other current assets on its consolidated balance sheet. This amount relates to VAT payments made over various periods and the Company believes these amounts are recoverable by refund or they may be applied against certain future tax liabilities. The Company has not recognized any losses related to these VAT related assets as the Company does not believe a loss is probable.

On March 26, 2015, the Office of the President of Mexico issued a decree relating to the application of VAT to nutritional supplements. The Company continues to believe its application of the VAT law in Mexico is correct. As of September 30, 2018, the Company has not recognized any losses as the Company, based on its current analysis and guidance from its advisors, does not believe a loss is probable. The Company continues to evaluate and monitor its situation as it develops, including whether it will make any changes to its operations in Mexico.

With respect to these Mexican matters, the Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate a possible loss or range of loss that could result from an unfavorable outcome if an assessment was re-issued or any additional assessments were to be issued for these or other periods. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses if an assessment is re-issued or would have meritorious defenses if any additional assessment is issued.

The Company received a tax assessment in September 2009 from the Federal Revenue Office of Brazil in an amount equivalent to approximately $1.8 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, related to withholding/contributions based on payments to the Company’s Members during 2004. On December 28, 2010, the Company appealed this tax assessment to the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (2nd level administrative appeal). The Company believes it has meritorious defenses and it has not recognized a loss as the Company does not believe a loss is probable. On March 6, 2014, the Company was notified of a similar audit of the 2011 year. In January 2016, the Company received a tax assessment for an amount equivalent to approximately $4.4 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, related to contributions based on payments to the Company’s Members during 2011. The Company filed a first level administrative appeal against most of the assessment on February 23, 2016, which was subsequently denied. On March 13, 2017, the Company appealed this tax assessment to the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals (second level administrative appeal). The Company received a favorable decision from the Administrative Council of Tax Appeals for the 2004 and 2011 cases in September 2018. The cases may be appealed by the government. The Company has not accrued a loss for the majority of the assessment because the Company does not believe a loss is probable. The Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate the amount of the loss that may result from an unfavorable outcome if additional assessments for other periods were to be issued.

The Company’s Brazilian subsidiary pays ICMS-ST taxes on its product purchases, similar to VAT. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $7.7 million of Brazil ICMS-ST, of which $2.1 million was within non-current other assets and $5.6 million was within prepaid expenses and other current assets on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company believes it will be able to utilize or recover these ICMS-ST credits in the future.

The Company is under examination in several Brazilian states related to ICMS and ICMS-ST taxation. Some of these examinations have resulted in assessments for underpaid tax that the Company has appealed. The State of Sao Paulo has audited the Company for the 2013 and 2014 tax years. During July 2016, for the State of Sao Paulo, the Company received an assessment in the aggregate amount of approximately $39.7 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, relating to various ICMS issues for its 2013 tax year. In August 2016, the Company filed a first level administrative appeal which was denied in February 2017. The Company filed a further appeal on March 9, 2017. On March 20, 2018, the Court held a hearing and a verdict is currently pending. During August 2017, for the state of Sao Paulo, the Company received an assessment in the aggregate amount of approximately $14.7 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, relating to various ICMS issues for its 2014 tax year. In September 2017, the Company filed a first level administrative appeal for the 2014 tax year. During September 2018, for the State of Rio de Janeiro, the Company received an assessment in the aggregate amount of approximately $8.7 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, relating to various ICMS-ST issues for its 2016 and 2017 tax years. The Company will file a first level administrative appeal. The Company has not recognized a loss as the Company does not believe a loss is probable. The Company has also received other ICMS tax assessments in Brazil. During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company filed appeals with state judicial courts against three of the assessments. The Company had issued surety bonds in the aggregate amount of $10.8 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, to guarantee payment of some of the tax assessments as required while the Company pursues the appeals. In addition, the Company has received several ICMS tax assessments in the aggregate amount of $6.0 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, from several other Brazilian states where surety bonds have not been issued. Litigation in all these cases is currently ongoing. The Company has not recognized a loss as the Company does not believe a loss is probable.

The Company has received various tax assessments in multiple states in India for multiple years from the Indian VAT authorities in an amount equivalent to approximately $8.7 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate. These assessments are for underpaid VAT. The Company is litigating these cases at the tax administrative level and the tax tribunal levels as it believes it has meritorious defenses. The Company has not recognized a loss as it does not believe a loss is probable.

The Korea Customs Service audited the importation activities of Herbalife Korea for the period January 2011 through May 2013. The total assessment for the audit period is $32.0 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate. The Company has paid the assessment and has recognized these payments within other assets on its condensed consolidated balance sheet. The Company lodged a first level administrative appeal, which was denied on October 21, 2016. On January 31, 2017, the Company filed a further appeal to the National Tax Tribunal of Korea. The Company disagrees with the assertions made in the assessments, as well as the calculation methodology used in the assessments. The Company has not recognized a loss as the Company does not believe a loss is probable.

During the course of 2016, the Company received various questions from the Greek Social Security Agency and on December 29, 2016, the Greek Social Security Agency issued an assessment of approximately $2.3 million, translated at the September 30, 2018 spot rate, with respect to Social Security Contributions on Member earnings for the 2006 year. For Social Security issues, the statute of limitations is open for 2007 and later years in Greece. The Company could receive similar assessments covering other years. The Company disputes the allegations that were raised in the assessment and filed an administrative appeal against the assessment with the Greek Social Security Agency. On November 14, 2017, the Administrative Review Committee of the Greek Social Security Agency notified the Company that it had remanded the case back to the Social Security Agency auditors with an instruction to reconsider the case since the majority of the assessment seemed to be unfounded. The administrative appeals committee published a mixed verdict in the case on June 5, 2018 whereby the Company won some issues and lost other issues. The Company filed an appeal to Civil Court in September 2018. The Company has not recognized a loss as it does not believe a loss is probable.

The Italian tax authorities audited the Company for the periods 2014 and 2015. The Company has responded to the various points relating to income tax and non-income tax matters initially raised by the tax authorities to date. The Italian tax authorities are discussing certain of its preliminary findings with the Company. It is possible that the Company could receive a final assessment from the Italian authorities after these discussions. The Company believes that it has adequately accrued for income tax matters that are known to date. In regards to non-income tax matters, the Company has not recognized a loss as it does not believe a loss is probable. The Company believes that it has meritorious defenses if a formal assessment is issued by the Italian tax authorities. The Company is currently unable to reasonably estimate the amount of loss that may result from an unfavorable outcome if a formal assessment is issued by the Italian tax authorities.

During March 2018, the Chinese Customs Service began an audit of the Company’s Chinese importations covering the periods 2015 through 2017. The Company has responded to the initial questions from the Customs Service and the audit is ongoing. The Company is currently unable to determine the outcome of this audit and reasonably estimate the amount of loss if an assessment is issued.

U.S. Federal Trade Commission Consent Order

On July 15, 2016, the Company and the Federal Trade Commission, or the FTC, entered into a proposed Stipulation to Entry of Order for Permanent Injunction and Monetary Judgment, or the Consent Order. The Consent Order was lodged with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on July 15, 2016 and became effective on July 25, 2016, or the Effective Date. The Consent Order resolved the FTC’s multi-year investigation of the Company.

Pursuant to the Consent Order, under which the Company neither admitted nor denied the FTC’s allegations (except as to the Court having jurisdiction over the matter), the Company made, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Herbalife International of America, Inc., a $200 million payment to the FTC. Additionally, the Company implemented and continues to enhance certain existing procedures in the U.S. Among other requirements, the Consent Order requires the Company to categorize all existing and future Members in the U.S. as either “preferred members” – who are simply consumers who only wish to purchase products for their own household use, or “distributors” – who are Members who wish to resell some products or build a sales organization. The Company also agreed to compensate distributors on eligible U.S. sales within their downline organization, which include purchases by preferred members, purchases by a distributor for his or her personal consumption within allowable limits and sales of product by a distributor to his or her customers. The Consent Order also imposes restrictions on a distributor’s ability to open Nutrition Clubs in the United States. The Consent Order subjects the Company to certain audits by an independent compliance auditor for a period of seven years; imposes requirements on the Company regarding compliance certification and record creation and maintenance; and prohibits the Company, its affiliates and its distributors from making misrepresentations and misleading claims regarding, among other things, income and lavish lifestyles. The FTC and the independent compliance auditor have the right to inspect Company records and request additional compliance reports for purposes of conducting audits pursuant to the Consent Order. In September 2016, the Company and the FTC mutually selected Affiliated Monitors, Inc. to serve as the independent compliance auditor. The Company continues to monitor the impact of the Consent Order and, while the Company currently does not expect the settlement to have a long-term and materially adverse impact on its business and its Member base, the Company’s business and its Member base, particularly in the United States, may be negatively impacted. If the Company is unable to comply with the Consent Order then this could result in a material and adverse impact to the Company’s results of operations and financial condition.

Other Matters

As a marketer of foods, dietary and nutritional supplements, and other products that are ingested by consumers or applied to their bodies, the Company has been and is currently subjected to various product liability claims. The effects of these claims to date have not been material to the Company. The Company currently maintains product liability insurance with an annual deductible of $12.5 million.

As previously disclosed, the SEC and the Department of Justice have been conducting an investigation into the Company’s anti-corruption compliance in China, which has mainly focused on entertainment and gift expenditures by the Company’s local China external affairs department. The government has requested and is continuing to request documents and other information relating to these matters. The Company is conducting its own review and has taken remedial and improvement measures based upon this review, including replacement of a number of employees in China and enhancements of Company policies and procedures in China. The Company is continuing to cooperate with the government and cannot predict the eventual scope, duration, or outcome of the government investigation at this time.

A short seller has made allegations regarding the Company and its network marketing program. The Company believes these allegations are without merit and has vigorously defended itself against such claims, including proactively reaching out to governmental authorities about what the Company believes is manipulative activity with respect to its securities. Because of these allegations, the Company and others have received and may receive additional regulatory and governmental inquiries. For example, the Company has previously disclosed inquiries from the FTC, SEC and other governmental authorities. The SEC has also requested from the Company documents and other information relating to the Company’s disclosures regarding its marketing plan in China. While the Company believes this SEC investigation is nearing conclusion, the Company cannot predict the eventual scope, duration, or outcome of this investigation at this time. The possible range of outcomes includes discussions leading to a settlement which could include a monetary payment and other relief, the filing by the SEC of a civil complaint, or the closure of this matter without action. At the present time, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, if any, relating to this matter. In the future, governmental authorities may determine to seek information from the Company and other persons relating to these same or other allegations. If the Company believes any governmental or regulatory inquiry or investigation is or becomes material it will be disclosed individually. Consistent with its policies, the Company has cooperated and will continue to fully cooperate with any governmental or regulatory inquiries or investigations.

On September 18, 2017, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries and Members were named as defendants in a purported class action lawsuit, titled Rodgers, et al. v Herbalife Ltd., et al. and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, which alleges violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices statute and federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations statutes, unjust enrichment, and negligent misrepresentation. On August 23, 2018, the Court issued an order transferring the action to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California as to four of the putative class plaintiffs and ordering the remaining four plaintiffs to arbitration, thereby terminating the Company defendants from the Florida action. The plaintiffs seek damages in an unspecified amount. The Company believes the lawsuit is without merit and will vigorously defend itself against the claims in the lawsuit.

In September 2017, one of the Company’s warehouses located in Mexico sustained flooding which damaged certain inventory stored within the warehouse. The Company maintains insurance coverage with third-party carriers on the affected property. As of September 30, 2018, the Company has recorded a loss relating to the damaged inventory and has recognized a combined equal and offsetting receivable and cash relating to the insurance recoveries. This event did not have a material negative impact on the Company’s Mexico operations or its condensed consolidated financial statements.