XML 35 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was 38% compared to 39% for the same period in 2013. The lower effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was primarily due to a decrease in the blended state tax rate that resulted from the formation of Enable. CERC reported no uncertain tax liability as of March 31, 2014 and expects no significant change to the uncertain tax liability over the next twelve months ending March 31, 2015. CenterPoint Energy’s consolidated federal income tax return filed for the year ended December 31, 2012 is currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service.