INCOME TAXES

See Note 5 to the financial statements of each registrant in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for additional tax information.

Current and Deferred Income Taxes

Tax Credit Carryforwards

Southern Company had federal ITC and PTC carryforwards (primarily related to Southern Power) totaling $1.9 billion as of June 30, 2017 compared to $1.8 billion as of December 31, 2016.

The federal ITC carryforwards begin expiring in 2032 but are expected to be fully utilized by 2022. The PTC carryforwards begin expiring in 2036 but are expected to be utilized by 2022. The expected utilization of tax credit carryforwards could be further delayed by numerous factors. These factors include the acquisition of additional renewable projects, increased generation at existing wind facilities, carrying back the federal net operating loss, and potential tax reform legislation, as well as additional deductions in the event of an asset abandonment. The ultimate outcome of these matters cannot be determined at this time.

Valuation Allowances

At June 30, 2017, valuation allowances were as follows:



	Mississippi Power		Southern Company Gas		Southern Company
	(in millions)
Federal	$	—	$	18	$	18
State (net of federal benefit)	46		1		63
Balance at June 30, 2017	$	46	$	19	$	81

Southern Company had valuation allowances, net of the federal benefit, of $81 million at June 30, 2017 compared to $21 million at December 31, 2016. The increase was primarily due to Mississippi Power's projected inability to utilize the State of Mississippi net operating loss.

Effective Tax Rate

Southern Company

Southern Company's effective tax rate is typically lower than the statutory rate due to employee stock plans' dividend deduction, non-taxable AFUDC equity, and federal income tax benefits from ITCs and PTCs.

Southern Company's effective tax (benefit) rate was (28.6)% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to 29.4% for the corresponding period in 2016. The effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to the estimated probable losses on the Kemper IGCC, net of the non-deductible AFUDC equity portion. Other factors include an increase in tax benefits from wind PTCs and state apportionment rate changes, partially offset by a decrease in tax benefits from ITCs and an increase in state valuation allowances.

Southern Company recognizes PTCs when wind energy is generated and sold (using the prescribed KWH rate in applicable federal and state statutes), which may differ significantly from amounts computed on a quarterly basis using an overall estimated annual effective income tax rate. Southern Company uses this method of recognition since the amount of PTCs can be significantly impacted by wind generation. This method can significantly affect the effective income tax rate for the period depending on the amount of pretax income.

Mississippi Power

Mississippi Power's effective tax (benefit) rate was (30.5)% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to (208.1)% for the corresponding period in 2016. The effective tax rate increase was primarily due to the estimated probable losses on the Kemper IGCC, net of the non-deductible AFUDC equity portion and the related state valuation allowances.

Southern Power

Southern Power's effective tax (benefit) rate was (114.7)% for the six months ended June 30, 2017 compared to (74.0)% for the corresponding period in 2016. The effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to additional PTCs arising from Southern Power's wind facility acquisitions, state apportionment rate changes, and lower pre-tax earnings, partially offset by a decrease in tax benefits from ITCs.

Southern Power recognizes PTCs when wind energy is generated and sold (using the prescribed KWH rate in applicable federal and state statutes), which may differ significantly from amounts computed on a quarterly basis using an overall estimated annual effective income tax rate. Southern Power uses this method of recognition since the amount of PTCs can be significantly impacted by wind generation. This method can significantly affect the effective income tax rate for the period depending on the amount of pretax income.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

See Note 5 to the financial statements of each registrant under "Unrecognized Tax Benefits" in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for additional information.

Changes during the six months ended June 30, 2017 for unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:



	Mississippi Power		Southern Power		Southern Company
	(in millions)
Unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016	$	465	$	17	$	484
Tax positions from current periods	3		1		10
Tax positions from prior periods	—		1		7
Balance as of June 30, 2017	$	468	$	19	$	501

The tax positions from current and prior periods primarily relate to state tax benefits and charitable contribution carryforwards that will be impacted as a result of the proposed settlement of R&E expenditures associated with the Kemper IGCC. See "Section 174 Research and Experimental Deduction" herein for additional information. These amounts are presented on a gross basis without considering the related federal or state income tax impact.

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



	As of June 30, 2017						As of December 31, 2016
	Mississippi Power		Southern Power		Southern Company		Southern Company
	(in millions)
Tax positions impacting the effective tax rate	$	4	$	19	$	37	$	20
Tax positions not impacting the effective tax rate	464		—		464		464
Balance of unrecognized tax benefits	$	468	$	19	$	501	$	484

The tax positions impacting the effective tax rate primarily relate to federal deferred income tax credits and Southern Company's estimate of the uncertainty related to the amount of those benefits, and state tax benefits and charitable contribution carryforwards that will be impacted as a result of the proposed settlement of R&E expenditures associated with the Kemper IGCC. See "Section 174 Research and Experimental Deduction" herein for additional information. If these tax positions are not able to be recognized due to a federal audit adjustment in the amount that has been estimated, the amount of tax credit carryforwards discussed above would be reduced by approximately $98 million.

Accrued interest for all tax positions other than the Section 174 R&E deductions was immaterial for all periods presented.

All of the registrants classify interest on tax uncertainties as interest expense. None of the registrants accrued any penalties on uncertain tax positions.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefits could change within 12 months. The settlement of federal and state audits and the U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Taxation approval of the R&E expenditures associated with the Kemper IGCC could impact the balances significantly. At this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible outcomes cannot be determined. See "Section 174 Research and Experimental Deduction" herein for more information.

The IRS has finalized its audits of Southern Company's consolidated federal income tax returns through 2012. Southern Company has filed its 2013, 2014, and 2015 federal income tax returns and has received partial acceptance letters from the IRS; however, the IRS has not finalized its audits. Southern Company is a participant in the Compliance Assurance Process of the IRS. In addition, the pre-Merger Southern Company Gas 2014 federal tax return is currently under audit. The audits for Southern Company's state income tax returns have either been concluded, or the statute of limitations has expired, for years prior to 2011.

Section 174 Research and Experimental Deduction

Southern Company reflected deductions for R&E expenditures related to the Kemper IGCC in its federal income tax calculations since 2013 and filed amended federal income tax returns for 2008 through 2013 to also include such deductions.

The Kemper IGCC is based on first-of-a-kind technology, and Southern Company and Mississippi Power believe that a significant portion of the plant costs qualify as deductible R&E expenditures under IRC Section 174. In December 2016, Southern Company and the IRS reached a proposed settlement, subject to approval of the U.S. Congress Joint Committee on Taxation, resolving a methodology for these deductions. Due to the uncertainty related to this tax position, Southern Company and Mississippi Power had unrecognized tax benefits associated with these R&E deductions totaling approximately $464 million and associated interest of $36 million as of June 30, 2017. If the suspension of the Kemper IGCC start-up activities results in an abandonment, any amount not allowed under IRC Section 174 would be claimed as a deduction under IRC Section 165, and would result in a reversal of the related unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest. The ultimate outcome of this matter cannot be determined at this time.