In 2013, tax payments totaled € 491.4 million (2012: € 580.5 million). Tax refunds totaled € 85.9 million (2012: € 18.6 million). Interest paid totaled € 248.3 million (2012: € 303.6 million). Interest received amounted to € 89.5 million (2012: € 59.9 million). Within the scope of a Contractual Trust Arrangement in Germany, in 2013 € 200.0 million was transferred to Merck Pensionstreuhand e. V., Darmstadt (trustee) (2012: € 250.0 million). This led to a corresponding decline in pension provisions and to a decrease in cash flows from operating activities.
Net cash flows from operating activities broken down by the segments of the Merck Group are disclosed in Note [51].