ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes requires the use of an estimated annual effective tax rate for purposes of determining the income tax provision during interim reporting periods. In calculating its estimated annual effective tax rate, NJR considers forecasted annual pre-tax income and estimated permanent book versus tax differences, as well as tax credits associated with solar and wind projects. For investment tax credits, the estimate is based on solar projects that are probable of being completed and placed in service during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. For production tax credits, the estimate is based on the forecast of electricity produced during the current fiscal year based on the best information available at each reporting period. Adjustments to the effective tax rate and management's estimates will occur as information and assumptions change.

In May 2019, the Company received a favorable ruling from the IRS regarding a change to its tax method of accounting for the capitalization of certain costs associated with self-constructed property placed in service during fiscal years ending September 30, 2012 through September 30, 2015. The self-constructed property to which these costs relate is considered qualified energy property as defined under the Internal Revenue Code. As such, the Company is eligible to claim a 30 percent ITC on the increase in the depreciable cost basis of the property through the filing of an amended tax return in the year of change. As a result of the favorable IRS ruling, the Company recorded a benefit from income taxes of approximately $6 million from the additional ITC recognized, net of deferred taxes.

NJR evaluates its tax positions to determine the appropriate accounting and recognition of potential future obligations associated with unrecognized tax benefits. A tax benefit claimed, or expected to be claimed, on a tax return may be recognized if it is more likely than not that the position will be upheld upon examination by the applicable taxing authority. Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits, if any, are recognized within income tax expense and accrued interest, and penalties are recognized within accrued taxes in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

As of June 30, 2019, the Company evaluated certain tax benefits that have been recorded in the financial statements and concluded that a portion of the tax benefits are uncertain at this time. As a result, the Company recorded a reserve that is included in accrued taxes on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The tax benefits relate to fiscal tax years open to examination by the IRS and may be subject to subsequent adjustment. The reserve for uncertain tax benefits are as follows:

On December 22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Act. The law made several changes to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, the most impactful to the Company of which was a reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35 percent to 21 percent that became effective January 1, 2018. Since the Company's fiscal year end is September 30, it is required by the Internal Revenue Code to calculate a statutory rate based upon the federal tax rates in effect before and after the effective date of the change in the taxable year that includes the effective date. Accordingly, the Company applied a federal statutory tax rate of 24.5 percent during fiscal 2018 and as of October 1, 2018, uses the enacted rate of 21 percent. As a result of the changes associated with the Tax Act during the nine months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recognized a tax benefit of $57.7 million.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2018, the Company credited approximately $16.1 million to income tax (benefit) provision on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, which includes $14.3 million attributable to the remeasurement of deferred income taxes, $890,000 for the amortization of excess deferred income taxes primarily related to timing differences associated with utility plant depreciation and $880,000 related to the revaluation of deferred income taxes not included in base rates.

The forecasted effective tax rates were (4.6) percent and 14.3 percent, for the nine months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate, when compared with the prior fiscal year, is due primarily to a decrease in forecasted pre-tax income combined with the lower federal statutory rate, and an increase in forecasted tax credits for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019. Forecasted tax credits, net of deferred income taxes, were $46.3 million and $22 million for fiscal 2019 and 2018, respectively.

To the extent there are discrete tax items that are not included in the forecasted effective tax rate, the actual effective tax rate will differ from the estimated annual effective tax rate. During the nine months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, discrete items totaled $5.4 million and $76.6 million, which included the items previously discussed above, along with excess tax benefits associated with the vesting of share-based awards and return to provision adjustments. NJR’s actual effective tax rate was (8.5) percent and (23.7) percent during the nine months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

As of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company had federal income tax net operating losses of approximately $135.6 million and $136.8 million, respectively. Federal net operating losses incurred before the implementation of the Tax Act can generally be carried back two years and forward 20 years and will begin to expire in fiscal 2036, with the remainder expiring by 2038. The Company expects to exercise its ability to carryback federal net operating losses to offset taxable income in prior periods.

For the net operating losses it expects to carryback, the Company estimated the portion considered refundable and recorded receivables of approximately $23 million as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, as a component of other noncurrent assets on the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon filing amended federal income tax returns to carryback its remaining federal net operating losses totaling $24.5 million, the Company will reduce its taxable income in those periods and recapture federal investment tax credits of the same amount that were previously utilized to offset taxable income.

In addition, as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company had ITC/PTC carryforwards of approximately $140.8 million and $121.1 million, respectively, which each have a life of 20 years. When the Company carries back the federal net operating losses noted above, it expects to recapture investment tax credits totaling $24.5 million. These recaptured tax credits are in addition to the $140.8 million noted above and will be carried forward to offset future taxable income. The Company expects to utilize this entire carryforward, which would begin to expire in fiscal 2033.

As of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, the Company had state income tax net operating losses of approximately $403.7 million and $578.8 million, respectively. These state net operating losses have varying carry forward periods dictated by the state in which they were incurred. These state carry forward periods range from seven to 20 years and would begin to expire in fiscal 2021, with the majority expiring after 2035.

On February 7, 2019, Clean Energy Ventures finalized the sale of its remaining wind assets. As a result of the sale, it is more likely than not that certain state net operating loss carryforwards will not be realizable prior to their expiration. The Company had a valuation allowance of $4 million as of June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018, related to state net operating loss carryforwards in Montana, Iowa and Kansas. The remaining state income tax net operating losses are expected to be utilized prior to expiration.

In May 2019, the State of New Jersey completed a general tax examination for fiscal years 2014 through 2017 related to NJRHS. All periods subsequent to those ended September 30, 2013 are statutorily open to examination.