Income Taxes

PSEG’s, PSE&G’s and Power's effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:




	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2016	2015
PSEG	37.5%	40.5%
PSE&G	36.6%	39.4%
Power	40.2%	41.1%

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the overall decreases in PSEG's and PSE&G's effective tax rates as compared to the same periods in the prior year as well as to the statutory tax rate of 40.85%, were due primarily to depreciation flow through items and changes in uncertain tax positions.

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules for qualified property placed in service before January 1, 2015 and for long production property placed in service in 2015.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (Tax Act) extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules for qualified property placed in service from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017. The rate is reduced to 40% and 30% for eligible property placed in service in 2018 and 2019, respectively. In addition, long production property placed in service in 2020 will also qualify for 30% bonus depreciation. The Tax Act also extended the 30% ITC for qualified property placed in service starting January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2019 but reduces the ITC rate to 26% and 22% for projects commenced in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The financial impact of the extensions of the ITC rate will depend upon future transactions.

These provisions have generated significant cash tax benefits for PSEG, PSE&G and Power through tax benefits related to the accelerated depreciation. These tax benefits would have otherwise been received over an estimated average 20 year period. However, these tax benefits will have a negative impact on the rate base of several of PSE&G’s programs.

Income Taxes [Line Items]

Income Taxes

PSEG’s, PSE&G’s and Power's effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:




	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2016	2015
PSEG	37.5%	40.5%
PSE&G	36.6%	39.4%
Power	40.2%	41.1%

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the overall decreases in PSEG's and PSE&G's effective tax rates as compared to the same periods in the prior year as well as to the statutory tax rate of 40.85%, were due primarily to depreciation flow through items and changes in uncertain tax positions.

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules for qualified property placed in service before January 1, 2015 and for long production property placed in service in 2015.

The Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (Tax Act) extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules for qualified property placed in service from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017. The rate is reduced to 40% and 30% for eligible property placed in service in 2018 and 2019, respectively. In addition, long production property placed in service in 2020 will also qualify for 30% bonus depreciation. The Tax Act also extended the 30% ITC for qualified property placed in service starting January 1, 2016 through December 31, 2019 but reduces the ITC rate to 26% and 22% for projects commenced in 2020 and 2021, respectively. The financial impact of the extensions of the ITC rate will depend upon future transactions.

These provisions have generated significant cash tax benefits for PSEG, PSE&G and Power through tax benefits related to the accelerated depreciation. These tax benefits would have otherwise been received over an estimated average 20 year period. However, these tax benefits will have a negative impact on the rate base of several of PSE&G’s programs.