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Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Income Taxes [Line Items]  
Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
Presented in the following table is the difference between actual income tax expense on continuing operations and income tax expense computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate:
In Millions, Except Tax Rate
 
Years Ended December 31
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
829

 
$
774

 
$
886

Income tax expense at statutory rate
 
174

 
163

 
310

Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect1
 
48

 
46

 
26

TCJA excess deferred taxes2
 
(31
)
 
(26
)
 

Production tax credits
 
(20
)
 
(14
)
 
(8
)
Accelerated flow-through of regulatory tax benefits3
 
(13
)
 
(39
)
 
(39
)
Research and development tax credits, net4
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(1
)
Impact of the TCJA5
 

 
(4
)
 
148

Other, net
 
(9
)
 

 
(12
)
Income tax expense
 
$
147

 
$
115

 
$
424

Effective tax rate
 
17.7
%
 
14.9
%
 
47.9
%
Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
928

 
$
847

 
$
971

Income tax expense at statutory rate
 
195

 
178

 
340

Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect1
 
53

 
51

 
30

TCJA excess deferred taxes2
 
(31
)
 
(26
)
 

Accelerated flow-through of regulatory tax benefits3
 
(13
)
 
(39
)
 
(39
)
Production tax credits
 
(12
)
 
(12
)
 
(8
)
Research and development tax credits, net4
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(1
)
Impact of the TCJA5
 

 
1

 
33

Other, net
 
(5
)
 

 
(16
)
Income tax expense
 
$
185

 
$
142

 
$
339

Effective tax rate
 
19.9
%
 
16.8
%
 
34.9
%

1 
In 2017, CMS Energy completed the evaluation of its methodology for the state apportionment of Consumers’ electricity sales to MISO, taking into account recent state tax law developments in the electric utility sector. To recognize the anticipated refund and the impact of the expected lower effective tax rate on their deferred state tax liabilities, CMS Energy, including Consumers, recorded a $14 million income tax benefit in 2017. These tax benefits were net of reserves for uncertain tax positions and primarily
attributable to Consumers. In 2018, CMS Energy amended its 2013 Michigan Corporate Income Tax return and submitted a refund claim for taxes previously paid. The refund claim was denied by the State of Michigan. In 2019, CMS Energy received an unfavorable informal conference decision and filed a petition with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. A trial is anticipated in 2020. CMS Energy’s uncertain tax position on this matter remains unchanged.
2 
In December 2017, Consumers remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new federal tax rate enacted by the TCJA and recorded a net $1.6 billion regulatory liability. As a result of an order received in September 2019, Consumers began refunding these excess deferred taxes to customers. For additional details on the order received, see Note 3, Regulatory Matters.
3 
In 2013, the MPSC issued an order authorizing Consumers to accelerate the flow-through to electric and gas customers of certain income tax benefits associated primarily with the cost of removal of plant placed in service before 1993. Consumers implemented this regulatory treatment beginning in 2014, with the electric portion ending in 2018 and the gas portion continuing through 2025.
4 
In March 2018, Consumers finalized a study of research and development tax credits for the tax years 2012 through 2016. As a result, Consumers recognized an $8 million increase in the credit, net of reserves for uncertain tax positions, at that time.
5 
In December 2017, CMS Energy and Consumers recorded a reasonable estimate to measure and account for the impact of the TCJA. In December 2018, CMS Energy recorded a true-up of their estimate and eliminated the $9 million valuation allowance on the sequestration of alternative minimum tax credits.
Significant Components Of Income Tax Expense
Presented in the following table are the significant components of income tax expense on continuing operations:
In Millions
 
Years Ended December 31
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
(31
)
 
$
(67
)
 
$

State and local
 
28

 

 
6

 
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(67
)
 
$
6

Deferred income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
97

 
$
112

 
$
368

State and local
 
32

 
58

 
36

 
 
$
129

 
$
170

 
$
404

Deferred income tax credit
 
21

 
12

 
14

Tax expense
 
$
147

 
$
115

 
$
424

Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
107

 
$
6

 
$
159

State and local
 
41

 
13

 
17

 
 
$
148

 
$
19

 
$
176

Deferred income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
(10
)
 
$
60

 
$
120

State and local
 
26

 
51

 
29

 
 
$
16

 
$
111

 
$
149

Deferred income tax credit
 
21

 
12

 
14

Tax expense
 
$
185

 
$
142

 
$
339


Principal Components Of Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liailities
Presented in the following table are the principal components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) recognized:
In Millions
 
December 31
2019
 
2018
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax assets
 
 
 
 
Tax loss and credit carryforwards
 
$
239

 
$
385

Net regulatory tax liability
 
385

 
395

Reserves and accruals
 
43

 
39

Total deferred income tax assets
 
$
667

 
$
819

Valuation allowance
 
(2
)
 
(8
)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance
 
$
665

 
$
811

Deferred income tax liabilities
 
 
 
 
Plant, property, and equipment
 
$
(2,033
)
 
$
(1,955
)
Employee benefits
 
(172
)
 
(165
)
Securitized costs
 
(59
)
 
(65
)
Gas inventory
 
(32
)
 
(35
)
Other
 
(24
)
 
(78
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(2,320
)
 
$
(2,298
)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(1,655
)
 
$
(1,487
)
Consumers
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax assets
 
 
 
 
Net regulatory tax liability
 
$
385

 
$
395

Tax loss and credit carryforwards
 
20

 
64

Reserves and accruals
 
24

 
21

Total deferred income tax assets
 
$
429

 
$
480

Deferred income tax liabilities
 
 
 
 
Plant, property, and equipment
 
$
(1,995
)
 
$
(1,943
)
Employee benefits
 
(178
)
 
(172
)
Securitized costs
 
(59
)
 
(65
)
Gas inventory
 
(32
)
 
(35
)
Other
 
(29
)
 
(74
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(2,293
)
 
$
(2,289
)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(1,864
)
 
$
(1,809
)

Loss And Credit Carryforwards
Presented in the following table are the tax loss and credit carryforwards at December 31, 2019:
In Millions
 
Gross Amount
 
Tax Attribute
 
Expiration
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
Local net operating loss carryforwards
 
$
389

 
$
4

2023 – 2036 
General business credits
 
206

 
206

2026 – 2039
Alternative minimum tax credits
 
29

 
29

Not applicable
Total tax attributes
 
 
 
$
239

 
Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
General business credits
 
$
20

 
$
20

2027 – 2039
Total tax attributes
 
 
 
$
20

 

Reconciliation Of Beginning And Ending Uncertain Tax Benefits
Presented in the following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of uncertain tax benefits:
In Millions
 
Years Ended December 31
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
19

 
$
14

 
$
5

Additions for current-year tax positions
 
1

 
1

 
10

Additions for prior-year tax positions
 
3

 
4

 

Reductions for prior-year tax positions
 

 

 
(1
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
23

 
$
19

 
$
14

Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
28

 
$
21

 
$
5

Additions for current-year tax positions
 
1

 
2

 
17

Additions for prior-year tax positions
 
5

 
5

 

Reductions for prior-year tax positions
 

 

 
(1
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
34

 
$
28

 
$
21


Consumers Energy Company  
Income Taxes [Line Items]  
Schedule Of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
Presented in the following table is the difference between actual income tax expense on continuing operations and income tax expense computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate:
In Millions, Except Tax Rate
 
Years Ended December 31
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
829

 
$
774

 
$
886

Income tax expense at statutory rate
 
174

 
163

 
310

Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect1
 
48

 
46

 
26

TCJA excess deferred taxes2
 
(31
)
 
(26
)
 

Production tax credits
 
(20
)
 
(14
)
 
(8
)
Accelerated flow-through of regulatory tax benefits3
 
(13
)
 
(39
)
 
(39
)
Research and development tax credits, net4
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(1
)
Impact of the TCJA5
 

 
(4
)
 
148

Other, net
 
(9
)
 

 
(12
)
Income tax expense
 
$
147

 
$
115

 
$
424

Effective tax rate
 
17.7
%
 
14.9
%
 
47.9
%
Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
 
$
928

 
$
847

 
$
971

Income tax expense at statutory rate
 
195

 
178

 
340

Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:
 
 
 
 
 
 
State and local income taxes, net of federal effect1
 
53

 
51

 
30

TCJA excess deferred taxes2
 
(31
)
 
(26
)
 

Accelerated flow-through of regulatory tax benefits3
 
(13
)
 
(39
)
 
(39
)
Production tax credits
 
(12
)
 
(12
)
 
(8
)
Research and development tax credits, net4
 
(2
)
 
(11
)
 
(1
)
Impact of the TCJA5
 

 
1

 
33

Other, net
 
(5
)
 

 
(16
)
Income tax expense
 
$
185

 
$
142

 
$
339

Effective tax rate
 
19.9
%
 
16.8
%
 
34.9
%

1 
In 2017, CMS Energy completed the evaluation of its methodology for the state apportionment of Consumers’ electricity sales to MISO, taking into account recent state tax law developments in the electric utility sector. To recognize the anticipated refund and the impact of the expected lower effective tax rate on their deferred state tax liabilities, CMS Energy, including Consumers, recorded a $14 million income tax benefit in 2017. These tax benefits were net of reserves for uncertain tax positions and primarily
attributable to Consumers. In 2018, CMS Energy amended its 2013 Michigan Corporate Income Tax return and submitted a refund claim for taxes previously paid. The refund claim was denied by the State of Michigan. In 2019, CMS Energy received an unfavorable informal conference decision and filed a petition with the Michigan Tax Tribunal. A trial is anticipated in 2020. CMS Energy’s uncertain tax position on this matter remains unchanged.
2 
In December 2017, Consumers remeasured its deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new federal tax rate enacted by the TCJA and recorded a net $1.6 billion regulatory liability. As a result of an order received in September 2019, Consumers began refunding these excess deferred taxes to customers. For additional details on the order received, see Note 3, Regulatory Matters.
3 
In 2013, the MPSC issued an order authorizing Consumers to accelerate the flow-through to electric and gas customers of certain income tax benefits associated primarily with the cost of removal of plant placed in service before 1993. Consumers implemented this regulatory treatment beginning in 2014, with the electric portion ending in 2018 and the gas portion continuing through 2025.
4 
In March 2018, Consumers finalized a study of research and development tax credits for the tax years 2012 through 2016. As a result, Consumers recognized an $8 million increase in the credit, net of reserves for uncertain tax positions, at that time.
5 
In December 2017, CMS Energy and Consumers recorded a reasonable estimate to measure and account for the impact of the TCJA. In December 2018, CMS Energy recorded a true-up of their estimate and eliminated the $9 million valuation allowance on the sequestration of alternative minimum tax credits.
Significant Components Of Income Tax Expense
Presented in the following table are the significant components of income tax expense on continuing operations:
In Millions
 
Years Ended December 31
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
(31
)
 
$
(67
)
 
$

State and local
 
28

 

 
6

 
 
$
(3
)
 
$
(67
)
 
$
6

Deferred income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
97

 
$
112

 
$
368

State and local
 
32

 
58

 
36

 
 
$
129

 
$
170

 
$
404

Deferred income tax credit
 
21

 
12

 
14

Tax expense
 
$
147

 
$
115

 
$
424

Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
107

 
$
6

 
$
159

State and local
 
41

 
13

 
17

 
 
$
148

 
$
19

 
$
176

Deferred income taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
(10
)
 
$
60

 
$
120

State and local
 
26

 
51

 
29

 
 
$
16

 
$
111

 
$
149

Deferred income tax credit
 
21

 
12

 
14

Tax expense
 
$
185

 
$
142

 
$
339


Principal Components Of Deferred Income Tax Assets And Liailities
Presented in the following table are the principal components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) recognized:
In Millions
 
December 31
2019
 
2018
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax assets
 
 
 
 
Tax loss and credit carryforwards
 
$
239

 
$
385

Net regulatory tax liability
 
385

 
395

Reserves and accruals
 
43

 
39

Total deferred income tax assets
 
$
667

 
$
819

Valuation allowance
 
(2
)
 
(8
)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance
 
$
665

 
$
811

Deferred income tax liabilities
 
 
 
 
Plant, property, and equipment
 
$
(2,033
)
 
$
(1,955
)
Employee benefits
 
(172
)
 
(165
)
Securitized costs
 
(59
)
 
(65
)
Gas inventory
 
(32
)
 
(35
)
Other
 
(24
)
 
(78
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(2,320
)
 
$
(2,298
)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(1,655
)
 
$
(1,487
)
Consumers
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax assets
 
 
 
 
Net regulatory tax liability
 
$
385

 
$
395

Tax loss and credit carryforwards
 
20

 
64

Reserves and accruals
 
24

 
21

Total deferred income tax assets
 
$
429

 
$
480

Deferred income tax liabilities
 
 
 
 
Plant, property, and equipment
 
$
(1,995
)
 
$
(1,943
)
Employee benefits
 
(178
)
 
(172
)
Securitized costs
 
(59
)
 
(65
)
Gas inventory
 
(32
)
 
(35
)
Other
 
(29
)
 
(74
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(2,293
)
 
$
(2,289
)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities
 
$
(1,864
)
 
$
(1,809
)

Loss And Credit Carryforwards
Presented in the following table are the tax loss and credit carryforwards at December 31, 2019:
In Millions
 
Gross Amount
 
Tax Attribute
 
Expiration
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
Local net operating loss carryforwards
 
$
389

 
$
4

2023 – 2036 
General business credits
 
206

 
206

2026 – 2039
Alternative minimum tax credits
 
29

 
29

Not applicable
Total tax attributes
 
 
 
$
239

 
Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
General business credits
 
$
20

 
$
20

2027 – 2039
Total tax attributes
 
 
 
$
20

 

Reconciliation Of Beginning And Ending Uncertain Tax Benefits
Presented in the following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of uncertain tax benefits:
In Millions
 
Years Ended December 31
2019
 
2018
 
2017
 
CMS Energy, including Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
19

 
$
14

 
$
5

Additions for current-year tax positions
 
1

 
1

 
10

Additions for prior-year tax positions
 
3

 
4

 

Reductions for prior-year tax positions
 

 

 
(1
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
23

 
$
19

 
$
14

Consumers
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance at beginning of period
 
$
28

 
$
21

 
$
5

Additions for current-year tax positions
 
1

 
2

 
17

Additions for prior-year tax positions
 
5

 
5

 

Reductions for prior-year tax positions
 

 

 
(1
)
Balance at end of period
 
$
34

 
$
28

 
$
21