Deferred taxes are stated for temporary differences between the tax balance sheets and IFRS balance sheets at individual companies arising from the measurement of assets and liabilities for tax purposes on the one hand and for external IFRS accounting on the other, as well as from consolidation processes impacting on earnings. Moreover, deferred tax assets have also been recognised for tax reduction claims resulting from the expected utilisation in subsequent years of existing losses carried forward. Such claims are capitalised if the realisation of these losses carried forward can be assumed with adequate certainty on the basis of existing business plans. Deferred taxes have been calculated based on the tax rates valid or expected at the individual organisational units upon realisation. Account is taken of the tax regulations valid or already adopted at the balance sheet date. The calculation of deferred taxes in Germany has been based on a tax rate of 30 % (previous year: 30 %). This results from the unchanged corporate income tax rate of 15 %, the unchanged solidarity surcharge of 5.5% and the Group’s average trade tax rate of 14 % (previous year: 14 %). The equivalent calculations for foreign companies are based on the respective national tax rates. Where the requirements of IAS 12 are met, deferred tax assets and liabilities are stated on a net basis for each company or fiscal unit.