Income Taxes (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Changes during 2016 for unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:

	Mississippi Power		Southern Power		Southern Company
	(in millions)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2015	$	421	$	8	$	433
Tax positions from current periods	—		5		5
Balance as of March 31, 2016	$	421	$	13	$	438

Impact on Effective Tax Rate, If Recognized

The impact on the effective tax rate, if recognized, is as follows:

	As of March 31, 2016							As of December 31, 2015
	Mississippi Power			Southern Power		Southern Company		Southern Company
	(in millions)
Tax positions impacting the effective tax rate	$	(2	)	$	13	$	15	$	10
Tax positions not impacting the effective tax rate	423			—		423		423
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits	$	421		$	13	$	438	$	433