
At September 30, 2022, our total debt position (after swaps) was $4.0 billion. The maturity dates for our term debt are well balanced with no significant concentration in any one year. At September 30, 2022, the average maturity of our term debt was approximately eight years at an average interest rate (after swaps) of slightly over 4%, all of which is fixed. Our leverage ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA was below our target ratio of 2.5:1. The increase in our net debt is primarily due to the increase in current indebtedness, which includes our commercial paper borrowings, and a decrease in our cash and cash equivalents (refer to the “Cash Flow” section of this management’s discussion and analysis for additional information).
Off-balance sheet arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations
See the “Contingencies” section of this management’s discussion and analysis below for information on guarantees and other credit support provided by our company to 3 Times Square Associates LLC (3XSQ Associates) in connection with a loan facility 3XSQ Associates obtained in the second quarter of 2022. For a summary of our other off-balance sheet arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations, please see our 2021 annual management’s discussion and analysis. There were no other material changes to these arrangements, commitments and contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
Contingencies
Lawsuits and legal claims
We are engaged in various legal proceedings, claims, audits and investigations that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. These matters include, but are not limited to, employment matters, commercial matters, defamation claims and intellectual property infringement claims. The outcome of all of the matters against us is subject to future resolution, including the uncertainties of litigation. Based on information currently known to us and after consultation with outside legal counsel, management believes that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition taken as a whole.
Uncertain tax positions
We are subject to taxation in numerous jurisdictions and we are routinely under audit by many different taxing authorities in the ordinary course of business. There are many transactions and calculations during the course of business for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain, as taxing authorities may challenge some of our positions and propose adjustments or changes to our tax filings.
As a result, we maintain provisions for uncertain tax positions that we believe appropriately reflect our risk. These provisions are made using our best estimate of the amount expected to be paid based on a qualitative assessment of all relevant factors. When appropriate, we perform an expected value calculation to determine our provisions. We review the adequacy of these provisions at the end of each reporting period and adjust them based on changing facts and circumstances. Due to the uncertainty associated with tax audits, it is possible that at some future date, liabilities resulting from such audits or related litigation could vary significantly from our provisions. However, based on currently enacted legislation, information currently known to us and after consultation with outside tax advisors, management believes that the ultimate resolution of any such matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on our financial condition taken as a whole.
Prior to 2022, we paid $379 million of tax as required under notices of assessment issued by the U.K. tax authority, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), under the Diverted Profits Tax (DPT) regime. In February 2022, HMRC issued DPT notices aggregating $74 million, which we paid in March 2022. These assessments collectively related to the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 taxation years of certain of our current and former U.K. affiliates. In May 2022, HMRC issued additional DPT notices aggregating $9 million related to the 2016 tax year, which we paid.
HMRC continues to have the statutory authority to amend the above assessments for the 2017 and 2018 taxation years by issuing DPT supplementary notices for each year. Based on recent discussions with HMRC, management believes that HMRC may issue supplementary notices for these years within the next six months that would be almost entirely related to businesses we have sold, which are subject to indemnity arrangements. If that occurs, we will be required to pay additional taxes to HMRC shortly thereafter that could be as much as $350 million in aggregate (largely related to the 2018 taxation year).
As we do not believe these current and former U.K. affiliates fall within the scope of the DPT regime, we will continue contesting these assessments (including any amended by HMRC) through all available administrative and judicial remedies and intend to vigorously defend our position. Payments made by us are not a reflection of our view on the merits of the case. As the assessments largely relate to businesses that we have sold, the majority are subject to indemnity arrangements under which we have been or will be required to pay additional taxes to HMRC or the indemnity counterparty.
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