v3.25.4
Taxation (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Income taxes paid (refund) [abstract]  
Summary of Tax Charges in Income Statement
Tax charge in income statement
€ million
2025
€ million
2024(a)
€ million
2023(a)
Current tax
Current year
(3,387)
(2,651)
(2,035)
Pillar 2 income taxes
(21)
(9)
–
Over/(under) provided in prior years
54
160
31
(3,354)
(2,500)
(2,004)
Deferred tax
Origination and reversal of temporary differences
828
136
(16)
Changes in tax rates
(12)
(2)
6
Recognition of previously unrecognised losses brought forward
57
34
24
873
168
14
(2,481)
(2,332)
(1,990)
(a)The 2024 and 2023 comparatives have been restated from those previously published to reflect the demerger of our Ice Cream business (see note 21).
Summary of Reconciliation of Effective Tax Rate The reconciliation between the computed weighted average rate of income tax expense, which is generally applicable to Unilever companies, and the actual rate of
taxation charged is as follows:
Reconciliation of effective tax rate
% 2025
% 2024(a)
% 2023(a)
Computed rate of tax(b)
24
25
25
Differences between computed rate of tax and effective tax rate due to:
    Incentive tax credits
(2)
(2)
(2)
    Withholding tax on dividends
2
3
2
    Expenses not deductible for tax purposes
1
2
1
    Irrecoverable withholding tax
1
1
1
    Income tax reserve adjustments – current and prior year
–
–
(1)
    Impact of disposals
3
1
(2)
    Others
–
(1)
–
Effective tax rate
29
29
24
(a)The 2024 and 2023 comparatives have been restated from those previously published to reflect the demerger of our Ice Cream business (see note 21).
(b)The computed tax rate used is the average of the standard rate of tax applicable in the countries in which Unilever operates, weighted by the amount of profit before taxation generated in
each of those countries. For this reason, the rate may vary from year to year according to the mix of profit and related tax rates.
Summary of Movements in Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)
Movements in 2025 and 2024
€ million
As at 1
January 2025
€ million
Income
statement
€ million
Other
€ million
As at 31
December
2025
€ million
As at 1
January 2024
€ million
Income
statement
€ million
Other
€ million
As at 31
December
2024
Pensions and similar obligations
(630)
(37)
(70)
(737)
(514)
(12)
(104)
(630)
Provisions and accruals
938
1
(67)
872
805
168
(35)
938
Goodwill and intangible assets
(3,863)
668
(194)
(3,389)
(3,697)
(45)
(121)
(3,863)
Accelerated tax depreciation
(584)
48
148
(388)
(572)
(20)
8
(584)
Tax losses
415
101
(37)
479
234
190
(9)
415
Fair value gains/losses
(54)
2
76
24
(17)
6
(43)
(54)
Share-based payments
273
(5)
(22)
246
246
(2)
29
273
Lease liability
181
13
(49)
145
189
(16)
8
181
Right of use asset
(161)
9
40
(112)
(166)
8
(3)
(161)
Other
423
73(a)
(93)(a)
403
610
(124)
(63)
423
(3,062)
873
(268)
(2,457)
(2,882)
153(b)
(333)
(3,062)
(a)In 2025, movements relating to deferred tax include €23 million arising from discontinued operations, which has been included within ‘other' movements. For 2025, the other movement
column includes €302 million of net deferred tax assets transferred to Ice Cream on the demerger of our Ice Cream business.
(b)In 2024, movements relating to deferred tax include €(15) million arising from discontinued operations, which has been re‑presented in the income statement and note 6A to reflect the
demerger of our Ice Cream business.
Summary of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities The following amounts, determined after appropriate offsetting, are shown in the consolidated balance sheet:
Deferred tax assets and liabilities
€ million
Assets
2025
€ million
Assets
2024
€ million
Liabilities
2025
€ million
Liabilities
2024
€ million
Total
2025
€ million
Total
2024
Pensions and similar obligations
(194)
(158)
(543)
(472)
(737)
(630)
Provisions and accruals
413
510
459
428
872
938
Goodwill and intangible assets
211
286
(3,600)
(4,149)
(3,389)
(3,863)
Accelerated tax depreciation
29
(38)
(417)
(546)
(388)
(584)
Tax losses
455
395
24
20
479
415
Fair value gains/(losses)
6
(22)
18
(32)
24
(54)
Share-based payments
98
118
148
155
246
273
Lease liability
35
81
110
100
145
181
Right of use asset
(46)
(83)
(66)
(78)
(112)
(161)
Other
139
191
264
232
403
423
1,146
1,280
(3,603)
(4,342)
(2,457)
(3,062)
Of which deferred tax to be recovered/(settled) after more than 12 months
873
879
(3,084)
(4,581)
(2,211)
(3,702)
Summary of Tax Effects of Components of Other Comprehensive Income Tax effects directly recognised in equity or other comprehensive income were as follows:
Movements in 2025 and 2024
€ million
Before tax
2025
€ million
Tax
(charge)/
credit 2025
€ million
After tax
2025
€ million
Before tax
2024(a)
€ million
Tax
(charge)/
credit
2024(a)
€ million
After tax
2024(a)
Gains/(losses) on:
Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income
(17)
3
(14)
60
—
60
Cash flow hedges
(166)
55
(111)
147
(25)
122
Remeasurement of defined benefit pension plans
219
(82)
137
271
(45)
226
Currency retranslation gains/(losses)
(2,312)
73
(2,239)
1,136
(23)
1,113
(2,276)
49
(2,227)
1,614
(93)
1,521
(a)The 2024 comparatives have been restated from those previously published to reflect the demerger of our Ice Cream business (see note 21).