INCOME TAXES (Note)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes [Note Text Block]
INCOME TAXES
International Paper made income tax payments, net of refunds, as follows: 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
In millions
2015
 
2014
Income tax payments, net
$
86

 
$
143


The following table presents a rollforward of unrecognized tax benefits and related accrued estimated interest and penalties for the six months ended June 30, 2015: 
In millions
Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
Accrued Estimated
Interest and Tax
Penalties
Balance at December 31, 2014
$
(158
)
 
$
(41
)
Activity for three months ended March 31, 2015
8

 
7

Activity for the three months ended June 30, 2015
—

 
(1
)
Balance at June 30, 2015
$
(150
)
 
$
(35
)

The Company currently estimates, that as a result of ongoing discussions, pending tax settlements and expirations of statutes of limitations, the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could be reduced by approximately $35 million during the next 12 months.
Included in the Company’s income tax provisions for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, are $39 million and $311 million of income tax benefits, respectively, related to special items. The components of the net provision related to special items were as follows: 
 
Six Months Ended
June 30,
In millions
2015
 
2014
Special items
$
(67
)
 
$
(320
)
Tax-related adjustments:
 
 
 
Return to Accrual
23

 
—

Internal restructurings
5

 
—

State legislative changes
—

 
10

Other
—

 
(1
)
Income tax provision (benefit) related to special items
$
(39
)
 
$
(311
)