Income Taxes:

The income tax rate of 33.0% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased 2.3 percentage points from the three months ended March 31, 2016. The decrease was due primarily to the following:


▪	tax benefits of $42 million in the first quarter of 2017 related to prior audit years; and


▪	excess tax benefits of $16 million for share-based awards that vested during the first quarter of 2017.

Altria Group, Inc. is subject to income taxation in many jurisdictions. Uncertain tax positions reflect the difference between tax positions taken or expected to be taken on income tax returns and the amounts recognized in the financial statements. Resolution of the related tax positions with the relevant tax authorities may take many years to complete, and such timing is not entirely within the control of Altria Group, Inc. At March 31, 2017, Altria Group, Inc.’s total unrecognized tax benefits were $138 million. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate at March 31, 2017 was $36 million, along with $102 million affecting deferred taxes. It is reasonably possible that within the next 12 months certain examinations will be resolved, which could result in a decrease in unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $77 million. At December 31, 2016, Altria Group, Inc.’s total unrecognized tax benefits were $169 million. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate at December 31, 2016 was $67 million, along with $102 million affecting deferred taxes.

At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, a valuation allowance of $240 million was included in Altria Group, Inc.’s net deferred income tax liabilities for tax credit carryforwards that more-likely-than-not will not be realized. Altria Group, Inc. may be required to change the valuation allowance with respect to foreign tax credit carryforwards, based upon additional information to be received from AB InBev in 2017.