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Income Taxes (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]  
Income Taxes [Text Block]
Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
(743
)
 
$
(929
)
 
$
(1,872
)
State
1

 
29

 
(3
)
Foreign
55

 
84

 
129

 
(687
)
 
(816
)
 
(1,746
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
1,164

 
1,310

 
2,296

State
(59
)
 
(53
)
 
37

Foreign
(7
)
 
17

 
11

 
1,098

 
1,274

 
2,344

 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment tax credits
(8
)
 
(8
)
 
(9
)
Total
$
403

 
$
450

 
$
589



A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax expense is as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal statutory income tax rate
35
 %
 
35
 %
 
35
 %
Income tax credits
(14
)
 
(11
)
 
(10
)
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
1

Income tax effect of foreign income
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
(3
)
Equity income
2

 
2

 
2

Other, net
(2
)
 
(2
)
 
(2
)
Effective income tax rate
14
 %
 
16
 %
 
23
 %


Income tax credits relate primarily to production tax credits from wind-powered generating facilities owned by MidAmerican Energy, PacifiCorp and BHE Renewables. Federal renewable electricity production tax credits are earned as energy from qualifying wind-powered generating facilities is produced and sold and are based on a per-kilowatt hour rate pursuant to the applicable federal income tax law. Wind-powered generating facilities are eligible for the credits for 10 years from the date the qualifying generating facilities are placed in-service.

Income tax effect of foreign income includes, among other items, deferred income tax benefits of $16 million in 2016 and $39 million in 2015 related to the enactment of reductions in the United Kingdom corporate income tax rate. In September 2016, the corporate income tax rate was reduced from 18% to 17% effective April 1, 2020. In November 2015, the corporate income tax rate was reduced from 20% to 19% effective April 1, 2017, with a further reduction to 18% effective April 1, 2020.

Berkshire Hathaway includes the Company in its United States federal income tax return. As of December 31, 2016, the Company had current income taxes payable to Berkshire Hathaway of $27 million. As of December 31, 2015, the Company had current income taxes receivable from Berkshire Hathaway of $286 million.

The net deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
Federal, state and foreign carryforwards
$
987

 
$
865

Regulatory liabilities
909

 
834

AROs
326

 
317

Employee benefits
209

 
190

Derivative contracts
29

 
83

Other
707

 
815

Total deferred income tax assets
3,167

 
3,104

Valuation allowances
(64
)
 
(35
)
Total deferred income tax assets, net
3,103

 
3,069

 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Property-related items
(14,237
)
 
(13,157
)
Regulatory assets
(1,449
)
 
(1,446
)
Investments
(962
)
 
(852
)
Other
(334
)
 
(299
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
(16,982
)
 
(15,754
)
Net deferred income tax liability
$
(13,879
)
 
$
(12,685
)


The following table provides the Company's net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and expiration dates as of December 31, 2016 (in millions):
 
Federal
 
State
 
Foreign
 
Total
Net operating loss carryforwards(1)
$
179

 
$
11,549

 
$
352

 
$
12,080

Deferred income taxes on net operating loss carryforwards
$
65

 
$
674

 
$
95

 
$
834

Expiration dates
2023-2025
 
2017-2036
 
2035-2036
 


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tax credits(2)
$
128

 
$
25

 
$

 
$
153

Expiration dates
2023- indefinite
 
2017- indefinite
 

 


(1)
The federal net operating loss carry forwards relate principally to net operating loss carry forwards of subsidiaries that are tax residents in both the United States and the United Kingdom. The federal net operating loss carry forwards were generated prior to Berkshire Hathaway Inc.'s ownership and will begin to expire in 2023.
(2)
Includes $97 million of deferred foreign tax credits associated with the federal income tax on unremitted tax earnings and profit pools that will begin to be creditable and expire 10 years after the date the foreign earnings are repatriated through actual or deemed dividends. As of December 31, 2016 the statute of limitation had not begun on the foreign tax credit carryforwards.

The United States Internal Revenue Service has closed its examination of the Company's income tax returns through December 31, 2009. Most state tax agencies have closed their examinations of the Company's income tax returns through February 9, 2006, except for (i) Iowa, which is closed through December 31, 2012, (ii) Illinois, which is closed through December 31, 2008 and (iii) the statute of limitations for PacifiCorp's state income tax returns have expired through December 31, 2009, with the exception of California, Oregon and Utah, for which the statute of limitations have expired through March 31, 2006. Examinations have been closed in the United Kingdom through December 31, 2014, in Canada through December 31, 2008 and in the Philippines through December 31, 2012.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Company's net unrecognized tax benefits is as follows for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
198

 
$
220

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year
7

 
3

Additions for tax positions of prior years
6

 
46

Reductions for tax positions of prior years
(11
)
 
(58
)
Statute of limitations
(1
)
 
(6
)
Settlements
(67
)
 
(6
)
Interest and penalties
(4
)
 
(1
)
Ending balance
$
128

 
$
198



As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits totaling $104 million and $163 million, respectively, that if recognized, would have an impact on the effective tax rate. The remaining unrecognized tax benefits relate to tax positions for which ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty as to the timing of such deductibility. Recognition of these tax benefits, other than applicable interest and penalties, would not affect the Company's effective income tax rate.
PacifiCorp [Member]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]  
Income Taxes [Text Block]
Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
169

 
$
130

 
$
2

State
32

 
26

 
10

Total
201

 
156

 
12

 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
123

 
148

 
260

State
21

 
29

 
43

Total
144

 
177

 
303

 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment tax credits
(5
)
 
(5
)
 
(6
)
Total income tax expense
$
340

 
$
328

 
$
309



A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax expense is as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal statutory income tax rate
35
 %
 
35
 %
 
35
 %
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
3

 
3

 
3

Federal income tax credits
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
Other
(1
)
 

 

Effective income tax rate
31
 %
 
32
 %
 
31
 %


Income tax credits relate primarily to production tax credits earned by PacifiCorp's wind-powered generating facilities. Federal renewable electricity production tax credits are earned as energy from qualifying wind-powered generating facilities is produced and sold and are based on a per-kilowatt hour rate pursuant to the applicable federal income tax law. Wind-powered generating facilities are eligible for the credits for 10 years from the date the qualifying generating facilities are placed in-service.

The net deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities
$
393

 
$
374

Employee benefits
202

 
189

Derivative contracts and unamortized contract values
67

 
94

State carryforwards
69

 
68

Loss contingencies
12

 
67

Asset retirement obligations
78

 
81

Other
82

 
88

 
903

 
961

Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Property, plant and equipment
(5,161
)
 
(5,030
)
Regulatory assets
(586
)
 
(639
)
Other
(36
)
 
(42
)
 
(5,783
)
 
(5,711
)
Net deferred income tax liability
$
(4,880
)
 
$
(4,750
)


The following table provides PacifiCorp's net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and expiration dates as of December 31, 2016 (in millions):
 
 
State
 
 
 
Net operating loss carryforwards
 
$
1,415

Deferred income taxes on net operating loss carryforwards
 
$
52

Expiration dates
 
2017 - 2032

 
 
 
Tax credit carryforwards
 
$
17

Expiration dates
 
2017 - indefinite



The United States Internal Revenue Service has closed its examination of PacifiCorp's income tax returns through December 31, 2009. The statute of limitations for PacifiCorp's state income tax returns have expired through December 31, 2009, with the exception of California, Oregon and Utah, for which the statute of limitations have expired through March 31, 2006.

As of December 31, 2016 and 2015, PacifiCorp had unrecognized tax benefits totaling $12 million and $13 million, respectively, related to tax positions for which ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty as to the timing of such deductibility. Recognition of these tax benefits, other than applicable interest and penalties, would not affect PacifiCorp's effective income tax rate.
MidAmerican Energy Company [Member]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]  
Income Taxes [Text Block]
Income Taxes

MidAmerican Energy's income tax benefit from continuing operations consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
(479
)
 
$
(415
)
 
$
(411
)
State
(14
)
 
(6
)
 
(4
)
 
(493
)
 
(421
)
 
(415
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
366

 
281

 
298

State
(4
)
 
(6
)
 
2

 
362

 
275

 
300

 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment tax credits
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total
$
(132
)
 
$
(147
)
 
$
(116
)


A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate to MidAmerican Energy's effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax benefit from continuing operations is as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal statutory income tax rate
35
 %
 
35
 %
 
35
 %
Income tax credits
(61
)
 
(71
)
 
(65
)
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit
(3
)
 
(2
)
 

Effects of ratemaking
(3
)
 
(12
)
 
(9
)
Other, net

 
1

 
(2
)
Effective income tax rate
(32
)%
 
(49
)%
 
(41
)%


Income tax credits relate primarily to production tax credits earned by MidAmerican Energy's wind-powered generating facilities. Federal renewable electricity production tax credits are earned as energy from qualifying wind-powered generating facilities is produced and sold and are based on a per-kilowatt hour rate pursuant to the applicable federal income tax law. Wind-powered generating facilities are eligible for the credits for 10 years from the date the qualifying generating facilities are placed in service.

MidAmerican Energy's net deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities
$
333

 
$
327

Asset retirement obligations
230

 
214

Employee benefits
66

 
66

Other
74

 
88

Total deferred income tax assets
703

 
695

 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Depreciable property
(3,763
)
 
(3,321
)
Regulatory assets
(471
)
 
(418
)
Other
(41
)
 
(17
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
(4,275
)
 
(3,756
)
 
 
 
 
Net deferred income tax liability
$
(3,572
)
 
$
(3,061
)


As of December 31, 2016, MidAmerican Energy has available $25 million of state tax carryforwards, principally related to $549 million of net operating losses, that expire at various intervals between 2017 and 2035.

The United States Internal Revenue Service has closed its examination of BHE's income tax returns through December 31, 2009, including components related to MidAmerican Energy. In addition, state jurisdictions have closed their examinations of MidAmerican Energy's income tax returns for Iowa through December 31, 2012, for Illinois through December 31, 2008, and for other jurisdictions through December 31, 2009.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of MidAmerican Energy's net unrecognized tax benefits is as follows for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
10

 
$
26

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 
3

Additions for tax positions of prior years
10

 
47

Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year
(2
)
 
(6
)
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
(8
)
 
(46
)
Statute of limitations

 
(5
)
Settlements

 
(6
)
Interest and penalties

 
(3
)
Ending balance
$
10

 
$
10



As of December 31, 2016, MidAmerican Energy had unrecognized tax benefits totaling $29 million that, if recognized, would have an impact on the effective tax rate. The remaining unrecognized tax benefits relate to tax positions for which ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty as to the timing of such deductibility. Recognition of these tax benefits, other than applicable interest and penalties, would not affect MidAmerican Energy's effective income tax rate.
MidAmerican Funding, LLC and Subsidiaries [Domain]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]  
Income Taxes [Text Block]
Income Taxes

MidAmerican Funding's income tax benefit from continuing operations consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Current:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
(485
)
 
$
(418
)
 
$
(414
)
State
(16
)
 
(8
)
 
(5
)
 
(501
)
 
(426
)
 
(419
)
Deferred:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
367

 
282

 
296

State
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
2

 
363

 
277

 
298

 
 
 
 
 
 
Investment tax credits
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total
$
(139
)
 
$
(150
)
 
$
(122
)


A reconciliation of the federal statutory income tax rate MidAmerican Funding's the effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax benefit from continuing operations is as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal statutory income tax rate
35
 %
 
35
 %
 
35
 %
Income tax credits
(64
)
 
(72
)
 
(68
)
State income tax, net of federal income tax benefit
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
Effects of ratemaking
(3
)
 
(12
)
 
(10
)
Other, net

 
1

 
(1
)
Effective income tax rate
(35
)%
 
(51
)%
 
(45
)%


Income tax credits relate primarily to production tax credits earned by MidAmerican Energy's wind-powered generating facilities. Federal renewable electricity production tax credits are earned as energy from qualifying wind-powered generating facilities is produced and sold and are based on a per-kilowatt hour rate pursuant to the applicable federal income tax law. Wind-powered generating facilities are eligible for the credits for 10 years from the date the qualifying generating facilities are placed in service.

MidAmerican Funding's net deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
Regulatory liabilities
$
333

 
$
327

Employee benefits
66

 
66

Asset retirement obligations
230

 
214

Other
82

 
97

Total deferred income tax assets
711

 
704

 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Depreciable property
(3,767
)
 
(3,326
)
Regulatory assets
(471
)
 
(418
)
Other
(41
)
 
(16
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
(4,279
)
 
(3,760
)
 
 
 
 
Net deferred income tax liability
$
(3,568
)
 
$
(3,056
)


As of December 31, 2016, MidAmerican Funding has available $25 million of state tax carryforwards, principally related to $549 million of net operating losses, that expire at various intervals between 2017 and 2035.

The United States Internal Revenue Service has closed its examination of BHE's income tax returns through December 31, 2009, including components related to MidAmerican Funding. In addition, state jurisdictions have closed their examinations of MidAmerican Funding's income tax returns for Iowa through December 31, 2012, for Illinois through December 31, 2008, and for other jurisdictions through December 31, 2009.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of MidAmerican Funding's net unrecognized tax benefits is as follows for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
 
 
 
Beginning balance
$
10

 
$
26

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 
4

Additions for tax positions of prior years
10

 
46

Reductions based on tax positions related to the current year
(2
)
 
(6
)
Reductions for tax positions of prior years
(8
)
 
(46
)
Statute of limitations

 
(5
)
Settlements

 
(6
)
Interest and penalties

 
(3
)
Ending balance
$
10

 
$
10



As of December 31, 2016, MidAmerican Funding had unrecognized tax benefits totaling $30 million that, if recognized, would have an impact on the effective tax rate. The remaining unrecognized tax benefits relate to tax positions for which ultimate deductibility is highly certain but for which there is uncertainty as to the timing of such deductibility. Recognition of these tax benefits, other than applicable interest and penalties, would not affect MidAmerican Funding's effective income tax rate.
Nevada Power Company [Member]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]  
Income Taxes [Text Block]
Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current – Federal
$
68

 
$

 
$

Deferred – Federal
79

 
163

 
131

Investment tax credits
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total income tax expense
$
146

 
$
162

 
$
130



A reconciliation of the federal statutory income rate to the effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax expense is as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal statutory income tax rate
35
 %
 
35
%
 
35
%
Effects of ratemaking

 
1

 
1

Other
(1
)
 

 

Effective income tax rate
34
 %
 
36
%
 
36
%


The net deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
Capital and financial leases
170

 
174

Regulatory liabilities
83

 
47

Employee benefits
29

 
30

Customer advances
23

 
22

Federal net operating loss and credit carryforwards
5

 
15

Other
16

 
17

Total deferred income tax assets
326

 
305

Valuation allowance
(5
)
 
(5
)
Total deferred income tax assets, net
321

 
300

 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Property related items
(1,293
)
 
(1,242
)
Regulatory assets
(321
)
 
(275
)
Capital and financial leases
(165
)
 
(169
)
Other
(16
)
 
(19
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
(1,795
)
 
(1,705
)
Net deferred income tax liability
$
(1,474
)
 
$
(1,405
)


The following table provides Nevada Power's tax credit carryforwards and expiration dates as of December 31, 2016 (in millions):
Other tax credits
$
5

Expiration dates
2017 - 2028


The United States federal jurisdiction is the only significant income tax jurisdiction for NV Energy. In July 2012, the United States Internal Revenue Service and the Joint Committee on Taxation concluded their examination of NV Energy with respect to its United States federal income tax returns for December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2008.
Sierra Pacific Power Company [Member]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Line Items]  
Income Taxes [Text Block]
Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following for the years ended December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deferred - Federal
$
50

 
$
48

 
$
48

Investment tax credits
(1
)
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
Total income tax expense
$
49

 
$
47

 
$
47



A reconciliation of the federal statutory income rate to the effective income tax rate applicable to income before income tax expense is as follows for the years ended December 31:
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal statutory income tax rate
35
%
 
35
%
 
35
 %
Effects of ratemaking
1

 
1

 
1

Other
1

 

 
(1
)
Effective income tax rate
37
%
 
36
%
 
35
 %


The net deferred income tax liability consists of the following as of December 31 (in millions):
 
2016
 
2015
Deferred income tax assets:
 
 
 
Federal net operating loss and credit carryforwards
$
25

 
$
39

Employee benefit plans
22

 
25

Regulatory liabilities
16

 
19

Capital and financial lease liabilities
12

 
13

Customer Advances
9

 
8

Commodity derivative contract
5

 
5

Other
6

 
7

Total deferred income tax assets
$
95

 
$
116

 
 
 
 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Property related items
$
(562
)
 
$
(538
)
Regulatory assets
(124
)
 
(121
)
Capital and financial leases
(12
)
 
(13
)
Other
(14
)
 
(14
)
Total deferred income tax liabilities
$
(712
)
 
$
(686
)
Net deferred income tax liability
$
(617
)
 
$
(570
)


The following table provides Sierra Pacific's federal net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards and expiration dates as of December 31, 2016 (in millions):
Net operating loss carryforwards
$
55

Deferred income taxes on federal net operating loss carryforwards
$
19

Expiration dates
2031 - 2033
 
 
Other tax credits
$
6

Expiration dates
2021 - 2032


The United States federal jurisdiction is the only significant income tax jurisdiction for NV Energy. In July 2012, the United States Internal Revenue Service and the Joint Committee on Taxation concluded their examination of NV Energy with respect to its United States federal income tax returns for December 31, 2005 through December 31, 2008.