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Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Line Items]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for PSEG with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
PSEG
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
1,679

 
$
1,518

 
$
1,243

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
243

 
$
335

 
$
487

 
 
State
 
85

 
58

 
42

 
 
Total Current
 
328

 
393

 
529

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
540

 
262

 
147

 
 
State
 
104

 
260

 
118

 
 
Total Deferred
 
644

 
522

 
265

 
 
Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
 
29

 
23

 
18

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
1,001

 
$
938

 
$
812

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
2,680

 
$
2,456

 
$
2,055

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
938

 
$
860

 
$
719

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
129

 
145

 
108

 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
7

 
(9
)
 
10

 
 
Manufacturing Deduction
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(9
)
 
 
NDT Fund
 
7

 
14

 
12

 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
(20
)
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Tax Credits
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
(9
)
 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
(12
)
 

 
 
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Carryback
 
(33
)
 

 

 
 
Other
 
(4
)
 
(17
)
 
(5
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
63

 
78

 
93

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
1,001

 
$
938

 
$
812

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
38.2
%
 
39.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for PSEG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
PSEG
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
11

 
 
Noncurrent
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPEB
 
$
256

 
$
269

 
 
Related to Uncertain Tax Position
 
160

 
160

 
 
Securitization-Overcollection
 
27

 
55

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
443

 
$
484

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
443

 
$
495

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Securitization
 
$

 
$
163

 
 
   Other
 

 
10

 
 
Total Current Liabilities (net)
 
$

 
$
173

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
6,174

 
$
5,422

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
615

 
535

 
 
Leasing Activities
 
612

 
623

 
 
Pension Costs
 
218

 
219

 
 
AROs and NDT Fund
 
393

 
419

 
 
Taxes Recoverable Through Future Rate (net)
 
191

 
196

 
 
Other
 
244

 
240

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
8,447

 
$
7,654

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
8,447

 
$
7,827

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$
11

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
173

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
8,004

 
$
7,170

 
 
ITC
 
162

 
133

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
8,166

 
$
7,303

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The deferred tax effect of certain assets and liabilities is presented in the table above net of the deferred tax effect associated with the respective regulatory deferrals. Also, the deferred tax effect of AROs is presented net of the deferred tax effect of the associated funding of those obligations.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.



A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for PSE&G with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
PSE&G
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
787

 
$
725

 
$
612

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
32

 
$
124

 
$
183

 
 
State
 
52

 
16

 

 
 
Total Current
 
84

 
140

 
183

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
325

 
214

 
101

 
 
State
 
52

 
84

 
92

 
 
Total Deferred
 
377

 
298

 
193

 
 
ITC
 
9

 
11

 
5

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
470

 
$
449

 
$
381

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
1,257

 
$
1,174

 
$
993

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
440

 
$
411

 
$
348

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
67

 
65

 
59

 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
(14
)
 

 

 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
(20
)
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Tax Credits
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
1

 

 
 
Other
 
3

 
(8
)
 
(6
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
30

 
38

 
33

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
470

 
$
449

 
$
381

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
38.2
%
 
38.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 












The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for PSE&G:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
PSE&G
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
24

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPEB
 
$
164

 
$
173

 
 
Securitization-Overcollection
 
27

 
55

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
191

 
$
228

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
191

 
$
252

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Securitization
 
$

 
$
163

 
 
        Other
 

 
2

 
 
Total Current Liabilities (net)
 
$

 
$
165

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
4,435

 
$
3,869

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
312

 
268

 
 
Conservation Costs
 
40

 
48

 
 
Pension Costs
 
262

 
269

 
 
Taxes Recoverable Through Future Rate (net)
 
191

 
196

 
 
Other
 
54

 
84

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
5,294

 
$
4,734

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
5,294

 
$
4,899

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$
24

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
165

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
5,103

 
$
4,506

 
 
ITC
 
78

 
69

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
5,181

 
$
4,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The deferred tax effect of certain assets and liabilities is presented in the table above net of the deferred tax effect associated with the respective regulatory deferrals.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.



A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for Power with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
Power
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
856

 
$
760

 
$
644

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
220

 
$
231

 
$
262

 
 
State
 
30

 
39

 
40

 
 
Total Current
 
250

 
270

 
302

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
189

 
163

 
69

 
 
State
 
52

 
48

 
35

 
 
Total Deferred
 
241

 
211

 
104

 
 
ITC
 
20

 
10

 
13

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
511

 
$
491

 
$
419

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
1,367

 
$
1,251

 
$
1,063

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
478

 
$
438

 
$
372

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
59

 
58

 
51

 
 
Manufacturing Deduction
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(10
)
 
 
NDT Fund
 
7

 
15

 
12

 
 
Tax Credits
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
22

 
(8
)
 
3

 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
(4
)
 

 
 
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Carryback
 
(33
)
 

 

 
 
Other
 
(5
)
 
14

 
(7
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
33

 
53

 
47

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
511

 
$
491

 
$
419

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
39.2
%
 
39.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for Power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
Power
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
$

 
$

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Costs
 
$
56

 
$
52

 
 
Contractual Liabilities & Environmental Costs
 
18

 
18

 
 
Related to Uncertain Tax Positions
 
47

 
23

 
 
Other
 

 
70

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
121

 
$
163

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
121

 
$
163

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
43

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
1,736

 
$
1,552

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
243

 
192

 
 
AROs and NDT Fund
 
395

 
420

 
 
Other
 
10

 

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
2,384

 
$
2,164

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
2,384

 
$
2,207

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
43

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
2,263

 
$
2,001

 
 
ITC
 
84

 
64

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
2,347

 
$
2,065

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In the above table, the deferred tax effect of asset retirement obligations is presented net of the deferred tax effect of the associated funding of those obligations.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power each provide deferred taxes at the enacted statutory tax rate for all temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities irrespective of the treatment for rate-making purposes. Management believes that it is probable that the accumulated tax benefits that previously have been treated as a flow-through item to PSE&G customers will be recovered from or refunded to PSE&G’s customers in the future. These amounts were determined using the enacted federal income tax rate of 35% and state income tax rate of 9%. For additional information, see Note 5. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities.
In August 2014, PSEG received notice from the IRS that the audit settlement covering tax years 2007 through 2010 had been approved by the Joint Committee on Taxation. This effectively settled all issues with the IRS through 2010. In September 2014, PSEG received refunds from the IRS totaling $121 million, representing the net settlement of all disputed amounts, including interest, through the tax year 2010. As a result of the settlement of this audit, PSEG recorded a $12 million reduction of tax expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
In September 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations effective in 2014 that provide guidance on applying Section 263(a) of the Internal Revenue Code to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property, as well as rules for materials and supplies. Implementation of these regulations did not have any material impact on PSEG’s and its subsidiaries’ results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules enacted in 2010 for qualified property placed into service before January 1, 2014. In addition, long production property placed into service in 2014 was eligible for 50% bonus depreciation for federal tax purposes. On December 19, 2014, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was enacted. This act further extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules for qualified property that was placed into service before January 1, 2015 and for long production property that was placed into service in 2015.
In December 2015, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (Tax Act). Among other provisions, the Tax Act includes an extension of the bonus depreciation rules and the 30% ITC for qualified property placed into service after 2016. Qualified property that is placed in service from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017 is eligible for 50% bonus depreciation. 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 ITC rate has been extended through December 31, 2019 but is reduced 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.
PSEG recorded the following amounts related to its unrecognized tax benefits, which were primarily comprised of amounts recorded for PSE&G, Power and Energy Holdings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2015
 
$
332

 
$
165

 
$
70

 
$
95

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
87

 
55

 
28

 
4

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(50
)
 
(43
)
 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
28

 
5

 
23

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 
(10
)
 

 
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2015
 
$
386

 
$
181

 
$
111

 
$
93

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(264
)
 
(162
)
 
(68
)
 
(34
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(27
)
 
(27
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
95

 
$
(8
)
 
$
43

 
$
59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2014
 
$
478

 
$
208

 
$
156

 
$
110

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
82

 
65

 
17

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(190
)
 
(92
)
 
(80
)
 
(18
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
30

 
16

 
9

 
5

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
(8
)
 

 
(8
)
 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 
(60
)
 
(32
)
 
(24
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2014
 
$
332

 
$
165

 
$
70

 
$
95

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(225
)
 
(138
)
 
(52
)
 
(35
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(27
)
 
(27
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
80

 
$

 
$
18

 
$
60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2013
 
$
402

 
$
163

 
$
134

 
$
101

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
83

 
39

 
33

 
11

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(30
)
 
(9
)
 
(19
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
23

 
15

 
8

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 

 

 

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 

 

 

 

 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2013
 
$
478

 
$
208

 
$
156

 
$
110

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(320
)
 
(177
)
 
(105
)
 
(37
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(30
)
 
(30
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
128

 
$
1

 
$
51

 
$
73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PSEG and its subsidiaries include accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions required to be recorded, as Income Tax Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accumulated interest and penalties that are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on uncertain tax positions were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Interest and Penalties
on Uncertain Tax Positions
as of December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
20

 
$
15

 
$
6

 
 
Power
 
6

 
9

 
(2
)
 
 
Energy Holdings
 
40

 
45

 
44

 
 
Total
 
$
66

 
$
69

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


It is reasonably possible that total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease within the next twelve months due to either agreements with various taxing authorities upon audit or the expiration of the Statute of Limitations. These potential decreases are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Possible Decrease in Total Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
Over the next
12 Months
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSEG
 
$
158

 
 
PSE&G
 
$
102

 
 
Power
 
$
42

 
 
 
 
 
 

A description of income tax years that remain subject to examination by material jurisdictions, where an examination has not already concluded are:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
PSEG
 
PSE&G
  
Power
 
 
United States
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Federal
  
2011-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
New Jersey
  
2006-2014
 
2006-2014
  
N/A
  
 
Pennsylvania
  
2006-2014
 
2006-2014
  
N/A
  
 
Connecticut
  
2002-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
Texas
  
2007-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
California
  
2003-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
New York
  
2011-2014
 
N/A
  
2011-2014
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PSE&G [Member]  
Income Taxes [Line Items]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for PSEG with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
PSEG
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
1,679

 
$
1,518

 
$
1,243

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
243

 
$
335

 
$
487

 
 
State
 
85

 
58

 
42

 
 
Total Current
 
328

 
393

 
529

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
540

 
262

 
147

 
 
State
 
104

 
260

 
118

 
 
Total Deferred
 
644

 
522

 
265

 
 
Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
 
29

 
23

 
18

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
1,001

 
$
938

 
$
812

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
2,680

 
$
2,456

 
$
2,055

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
938

 
$
860

 
$
719

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
129

 
145

 
108

 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
7

 
(9
)
 
10

 
 
Manufacturing Deduction
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(9
)
 
 
NDT Fund
 
7

 
14

 
12

 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
(20
)
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Tax Credits
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
(9
)
 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
(12
)
 

 
 
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Carryback
 
(33
)
 

 

 
 
Other
 
(4
)
 
(17
)
 
(5
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
63

 
78

 
93

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
1,001

 
$
938

 
$
812

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
38.2
%
 
39.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for PSEG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
PSEG
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
11

 
 
Noncurrent
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPEB
 
$
256

 
$
269

 
 
Related to Uncertain Tax Position
 
160

 
160

 
 
Securitization-Overcollection
 
27

 
55

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
443

 
$
484

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
443

 
$
495

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Securitization
 
$

 
$
163

 
 
   Other
 

 
10

 
 
Total Current Liabilities (net)
 
$

 
$
173

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
6,174

 
$
5,422

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
615

 
535

 
 
Leasing Activities
 
612

 
623

 
 
Pension Costs
 
218

 
219

 
 
AROs and NDT Fund
 
393

 
419

 
 
Taxes Recoverable Through Future Rate (net)
 
191

 
196

 
 
Other
 
244

 
240

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
8,447

 
$
7,654

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
8,447

 
$
7,827

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$
11

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
173

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
8,004

 
$
7,170

 
 
ITC
 
162

 
133

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
8,166

 
$
7,303

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The deferred tax effect of certain assets and liabilities is presented in the table above net of the deferred tax effect associated with the respective regulatory deferrals. Also, the deferred tax effect of AROs is presented net of the deferred tax effect of the associated funding of those obligations.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.



A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for PSE&G with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
PSE&G
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
787

 
$
725

 
$
612

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
32

 
$
124

 
$
183

 
 
State
 
52

 
16

 

 
 
Total Current
 
84

 
140

 
183

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
325

 
214

 
101

 
 
State
 
52

 
84

 
92

 
 
Total Deferred
 
377

 
298

 
193

 
 
ITC
 
9

 
11

 
5

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
470

 
$
449

 
$
381

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
1,257

 
$
1,174

 
$
993

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
440

 
$
411

 
$
348

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
67

 
65

 
59

 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
(14
)
 

 

 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
(20
)
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Tax Credits
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
1

 

 
 
Other
 
3

 
(8
)
 
(6
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
30

 
38

 
33

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
470

 
$
449

 
$
381

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
38.2
%
 
38.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 












The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for PSE&G:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
PSE&G
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
24

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPEB
 
$
164

 
$
173

 
 
Securitization-Overcollection
 
27

 
55

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
191

 
$
228

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
191

 
$
252

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Securitization
 
$

 
$
163

 
 
        Other
 

 
2

 
 
Total Current Liabilities (net)
 
$

 
$
165

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
4,435

 
$
3,869

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
312

 
268

 
 
Conservation Costs
 
40

 
48

 
 
Pension Costs
 
262

 
269

 
 
Taxes Recoverable Through Future Rate (net)
 
191

 
196

 
 
Other
 
54

 
84

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
5,294

 
$
4,734

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
5,294

 
$
4,899

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$
24

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
165

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
5,103

 
$
4,506

 
 
ITC
 
78

 
69

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
5,181

 
$
4,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The deferred tax effect of certain assets and liabilities is presented in the table above net of the deferred tax effect associated with the respective regulatory deferrals.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.



A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for Power with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
Power
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
856

 
$
760

 
$
644

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
220

 
$
231

 
$
262

 
 
State
 
30

 
39

 
40

 
 
Total Current
 
250

 
270

 
302

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
189

 
163

 
69

 
 
State
 
52

 
48

 
35

 
 
Total Deferred
 
241

 
211

 
104

 
 
ITC
 
20

 
10

 
13

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
511

 
$
491

 
$
419

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
1,367

 
$
1,251

 
$
1,063

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
478

 
$
438

 
$
372

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
59

 
58

 
51

 
 
Manufacturing Deduction
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(10
)
 
 
NDT Fund
 
7

 
15

 
12

 
 
Tax Credits
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
22

 
(8
)
 
3

 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
(4
)
 

 
 
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Carryback
 
(33
)
 

 

 
 
Other
 
(5
)
 
14

 
(7
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
33

 
53

 
47

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
511

 
$
491

 
$
419

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
39.2
%
 
39.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for Power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
Power
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
$

 
$

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Costs
 
$
56

 
$
52

 
 
Contractual Liabilities & Environmental Costs
 
18

 
18

 
 
Related to Uncertain Tax Positions
 
47

 
23

 
 
Other
 

 
70

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
121

 
$
163

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
121

 
$
163

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
43

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
1,736

 
$
1,552

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
243

 
192

 
 
AROs and NDT Fund
 
395

 
420

 
 
Other
 
10

 

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
2,384

 
$
2,164

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
2,384

 
$
2,207

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
43

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
2,263

 
$
2,001

 
 
ITC
 
84

 
64

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
2,347

 
$
2,065

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In the above table, the deferred tax effect of asset retirement obligations is presented net of the deferred tax effect of the associated funding of those obligations.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power each provide deferred taxes at the enacted statutory tax rate for all temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities irrespective of the treatment for rate-making purposes. Management believes that it is probable that the accumulated tax benefits that previously have been treated as a flow-through item to PSE&G customers will be recovered from or refunded to PSE&G’s customers in the future. These amounts were determined using the enacted federal income tax rate of 35% and state income tax rate of 9%. For additional information, see Note 5. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities.
In August 2014, PSEG received notice from the IRS that the audit settlement covering tax years 2007 through 2010 had been approved by the Joint Committee on Taxation. This effectively settled all issues with the IRS through 2010. In September 2014, PSEG received refunds from the IRS totaling $121 million, representing the net settlement of all disputed amounts, including interest, through the tax year 2010. As a result of the settlement of this audit, PSEG recorded a $12 million reduction of tax expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
In September 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations effective in 2014 that provide guidance on applying Section 263(a) of the Internal Revenue Code to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property, as well as rules for materials and supplies. Implementation of these regulations did not have any material impact on PSEG’s and its subsidiaries’ results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules enacted in 2010 for qualified property placed into service before January 1, 2014. In addition, long production property placed into service in 2014 was eligible for 50% bonus depreciation for federal tax purposes. On December 19, 2014, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was enacted. This act further extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules for qualified property that was placed into service before January 1, 2015 and for long production property that was placed into service in 2015.
In December 2015, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (Tax Act). Among other provisions, the Tax Act includes an extension of the bonus depreciation rules and the 30% ITC for qualified property placed into service after 2016. Qualified property that is placed in service from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017 is eligible for 50% bonus depreciation. 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 ITC rate has been extended through December 31, 2019 but is reduced 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.
PSEG recorded the following amounts related to its unrecognized tax benefits, which were primarily comprised of amounts recorded for PSE&G, Power and Energy Holdings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2015
 
$
332

 
$
165

 
$
70

 
$
95

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
87

 
55

 
28

 
4

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(50
)
 
(43
)
 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
28

 
5

 
23

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 
(10
)
 

 
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2015
 
$
386

 
$
181

 
$
111

 
$
93

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(264
)
 
(162
)
 
(68
)
 
(34
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(27
)
 
(27
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
95

 
$
(8
)
 
$
43

 
$
59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2014
 
$
478

 
$
208

 
$
156

 
$
110

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
82

 
65

 
17

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(190
)
 
(92
)
 
(80
)
 
(18
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
30

 
16

 
9

 
5

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
(8
)
 

 
(8
)
 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 
(60
)
 
(32
)
 
(24
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2014
 
$
332

 
$
165

 
$
70

 
$
95

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(225
)
 
(138
)
 
(52
)
 
(35
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(27
)
 
(27
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
80

 
$

 
$
18

 
$
60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2013
 
$
402

 
$
163

 
$
134

 
$
101

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
83

 
39

 
33

 
11

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(30
)
 
(9
)
 
(19
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
23

 
15

 
8

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 

 

 

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 

 

 

 

 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2013
 
$
478

 
$
208

 
$
156

 
$
110

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(320
)
 
(177
)
 
(105
)
 
(37
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(30
)
 
(30
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
128

 
$
1

 
$
51

 
$
73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PSEG and its subsidiaries include accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions required to be recorded, as Income Tax Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accumulated interest and penalties that are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on uncertain tax positions were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Interest and Penalties
on Uncertain Tax Positions
as of December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
20

 
$
15

 
$
6

 
 
Power
 
6

 
9

 
(2
)
 
 
Energy Holdings
 
40

 
45

 
44

 
 
Total
 
$
66

 
$
69

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


It is reasonably possible that total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease within the next twelve months due to either agreements with various taxing authorities upon audit or the expiration of the Statute of Limitations. These potential decreases are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Possible Decrease in Total Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
Over the next
12 Months
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSEG
 
$
158

 
 
PSE&G
 
$
102

 
 
Power
 
$
42

 
 
 
 
 
 

A description of income tax years that remain subject to examination by material jurisdictions, where an examination has not already concluded are:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
PSEG
 
PSE&G
  
Power
 
 
United States
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Federal
  
2011-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
New Jersey
  
2006-2014
 
2006-2014
  
N/A
  
 
Pennsylvania
  
2006-2014
 
2006-2014
  
N/A
  
 
Connecticut
  
2002-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
Texas
  
2007-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
California
  
2003-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
New York
  
2011-2014
 
N/A
  
2011-2014
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Power [Member]  
Income Taxes [Line Items]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for PSEG with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
PSEG
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
1,679

 
$
1,518

 
$
1,243

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
243

 
$
335

 
$
487

 
 
State
 
85

 
58

 
42

 
 
Total Current
 
328

 
393

 
529

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
540

 
262

 
147

 
 
State
 
104

 
260

 
118

 
 
Total Deferred
 
644

 
522

 
265

 
 
Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
 
29

 
23

 
18

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
1,001

 
$
938

 
$
812

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
2,680

 
$
2,456

 
$
2,055

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
938

 
$
860

 
$
719

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
129

 
145

 
108

 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
7

 
(9
)
 
10

 
 
Manufacturing Deduction
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(9
)
 
 
NDT Fund
 
7

 
14

 
12

 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
(20
)
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Tax Credits
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
(9
)
 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
(12
)
 

 
 
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Carryback
 
(33
)
 

 

 
 
Other
 
(4
)
 
(17
)
 
(5
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
63

 
78

 
93

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
1,001

 
$
938

 
$
812

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
38.2
%
 
39.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for PSEG:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
PSEG
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
11

 
 
Noncurrent
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPEB
 
$
256

 
$
269

 
 
Related to Uncertain Tax Position
 
160

 
160

 
 
Securitization-Overcollection
 
27

 
55

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
443

 
$
484

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
443

 
$
495

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Securitization
 
$

 
$
163

 
 
   Other
 

 
10

 
 
Total Current Liabilities (net)
 
$

 
$
173

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
6,174

 
$
5,422

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
615

 
535

 
 
Leasing Activities
 
612

 
623

 
 
Pension Costs
 
218

 
219

 
 
AROs and NDT Fund
 
393

 
419

 
 
Taxes Recoverable Through Future Rate (net)
 
191

 
196

 
 
Other
 
244

 
240

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
8,447

 
$
7,654

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
8,447

 
$
7,827

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$
11

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
173

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
8,004

 
$
7,170

 
 
ITC
 
162

 
133

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
8,166

 
$
7,303

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The deferred tax effect of certain assets and liabilities is presented in the table above net of the deferred tax effect associated with the respective regulatory deferrals. Also, the deferred tax effect of AROs is presented net of the deferred tax effect of the associated funding of those obligations.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.



A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for PSE&G with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
PSE&G
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
787

 
$
725

 
$
612

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
32

 
$
124

 
$
183

 
 
State
 
52

 
16

 

 
 
Total Current
 
84

 
140

 
183

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
325

 
214

 
101

 
 
State
 
52

 
84

 
92

 
 
Total Deferred
 
377

 
298

 
193

 
 
ITC
 
9

 
11

 
5

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
470

 
$
449

 
$
381

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
1,257

 
$
1,174

 
$
993

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
440

 
$
411

 
$
348

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
67

 
65

 
59

 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
(14
)
 

 

 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
(20
)
 
(13
)
 
(14
)
 
 
Tax Credits
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
1

 

 
 
Other
 
3

 
(8
)
 
(6
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
30

 
38

 
33

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
470

 
$
449

 
$
381

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
38.2
%
 
38.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 












The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for PSE&G:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
PSE&G
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
24

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
OPEB
 
$
164

 
$
173

 
 
Securitization-Overcollection
 
27

 
55

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
191

 
$
228

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
191

 
$
252

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
 
 
 
 
 
        Securitization
 
$

 
$
163

 
 
        Other
 

 
2

 
 
Total Current Liabilities (net)
 
$

 
$
165

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
4,435

 
$
3,869

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
312

 
268

 
 
Conservation Costs
 
40

 
48

 
 
Pension Costs
 
262

 
269

 
 
Taxes Recoverable Through Future Rate (net)
 
191

 
196

 
 
Other
 
54

 
84

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
5,294

 
$
4,734

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
5,294

 
$
4,899

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$
24

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
165

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
5,103

 
$
4,506

 
 
ITC
 
78

 
69

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
5,181

 
$
4,575

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The deferred tax effect of certain assets and liabilities is presented in the table above net of the deferred tax effect associated with the respective regulatory deferrals.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.



A reconciliation of reported income tax expense for Power with the amount computed by multiplying pre-tax income by the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% is as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Years Ended December 31,
 
 
Power
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Net Income
 
$
856

 
$
760

 
$
644

 
 
Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
$
220

 
$
231

 
$
262

 
 
State
 
30

 
39

 
40

 
 
Total Current
 
250

 
270

 
302

 
 
Deferred Expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 
189

 
163

 
69

 
 
State
 
52

 
48

 
35

 
 
Total Deferred
 
241

 
211

 
104

 
 
ITC
 
20

 
10

 
13

 
 
Total Income Taxes
 
$
511

 
$
491

 
$
419

 
 
Pre-Tax Income
 
$
1,367

 
$
1,251

 
$
1,063

 
 
Tax Computed at Statutory Rate @ 35%
 
$
478

 
$
438

 
$
372

 
 
Increase (Decrease) Attributable to Flow-Through of Certain Tax Adjustments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
State Income Taxes (net of federal income tax)
 
59

 
58

 
51

 
 
Manufacturing Deduction
 
(10
)
 
(16
)
 
(10
)
 
 
NDT Fund
 
7

 
15

 
12

 
 
Tax Credits
 
(7
)
 
(6
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Uncertain Tax Positions
 
22

 
(8
)
 
3

 
 
Audit Settlement
 

 
(4
)
 

 
 
Nuclear Decommissioning Tax Carryback
 
(33
)
 

 

 
 
Other
 
(5
)
 
14

 
(7
)
 
 
Sub-Total
 
33

 
53

 
47

 
 
Total Income Tax Provision
 
$
511

 
$
491

 
$
419

 
 
Effective Income Tax Rate
 
37.4
%
 
39.2
%
 
39.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


The following is an analysis of deferred income taxes for Power:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31,
 
 
Power
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Deferred Income Taxes
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current
 
$

 
$

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension Costs
 
$
56

 
$
52

 
 
Contractual Liabilities & Environmental Costs
 
18

 
18

 
 
Related to Uncertain Tax Positions
 
47

 
23

 
 
Other
 

 
70

 
 
Total Noncurrent Assets
 
$
121

 
$
163

 
 
Total Assets
 
$
121

 
$
163

 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current (net)
 
$

 
$
43

 
 
Noncurrent:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Plant-Related Items
 
$
1,736

 
$
1,552

 
 
New Jersey Corporate Business Tax
 
243

 
192

 
 
AROs and NDT Fund
 
395

 
420

 
 
Other
 
10

 

 
 
Total Noncurrent Liabilities
 
$
2,384

 
$
2,164

 
 
Total Liabilities
 
$
2,384

 
$
2,207

 
 
Summary of Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Assets
 
$

 
$

 
 
Net Current Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$

 
$
43

 
 
Net Noncurrent Deferred Income Tax Liabilities
 
$
2,263

 
$
2,001

 
 
ITC
 
84

 
64

 
 
Net Total Noncurrent Deferred Income Taxes and ITC
 
$
2,347

 
$
2,065

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

In the above table, the deferred tax effect of asset retirement obligations is presented net of the deferred tax effect of the associated funding of those obligations.
PSEG has early adopted the accounting standards update Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as of December 31, 2015. This standard requires noncurrent classification of all deferred tax assets and liabilities. For further details refer to Note 2. Recent Accounting Standards.
PSEG, PSE&G and Power each provide deferred taxes at the enacted statutory tax rate for all temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities irrespective of the treatment for rate-making purposes. Management believes that it is probable that the accumulated tax benefits that previously have been treated as a flow-through item to PSE&G customers will be recovered from or refunded to PSE&G’s customers in the future. These amounts were determined using the enacted federal income tax rate of 35% and state income tax rate of 9%. For additional information, see Note 5. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities.
In August 2014, PSEG received notice from the IRS that the audit settlement covering tax years 2007 through 2010 had been approved by the Joint Committee on Taxation. This effectively settled all issues with the IRS through 2010. In September 2014, PSEG received refunds from the IRS totaling $121 million, representing the net settlement of all disputed amounts, including interest, through the tax year 2010. As a result of the settlement of this audit, PSEG recorded a $12 million reduction of tax expense in the quarter ended September 30, 2014.
In September 2013, the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the IRS released final regulations effective in 2014 that provide guidance on applying Section 263(a) of the Internal Revenue Code to amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property, as well as rules for materials and supplies. Implementation of these regulations did not have any material impact on PSEG’s and its subsidiaries’ results of operations, financial condition or cash flows. 
The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules enacted in 2010 for qualified property placed into service before January 1, 2014. In addition, long production property placed into service in 2014 was eligible for 50% bonus depreciation for federal tax purposes. On December 19, 2014, the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 was enacted. This act further extended the 50% bonus depreciation rules for qualified property that was placed into service before January 1, 2015 and for long production property that was placed into service in 2015.
In December 2015, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 (Tax Act). Among other provisions, the Tax Act includes an extension of the bonus depreciation rules and the 30% ITC for qualified property placed into service after 2016. Qualified property that is placed in service from January 1, 2015 through December 31, 2017 is eligible for 50% bonus depreciation. 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 ITC rate has been extended through December 31, 2019 but is reduced 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.
PSEG recorded the following amounts related to its unrecognized tax benefits, which were primarily comprised of amounts recorded for PSE&G, Power and Energy Holdings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2015
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2015
 
$
332

 
$
165

 
$
70

 
$
95

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
87

 
55

 
28

 
4

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(50
)
 
(43
)
 
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
28

 
5

 
23

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
(1
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 
(10
)
 

 
(4
)
 
(5
)
 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2015
 
$
386

 
$
181

 
$
111

 
$
93

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(264
)
 
(162
)
 
(68
)
 
(34
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(27
)
 
(27
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
95

 
$
(8
)
 
$
43

 
$
59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2014
 
$
478

 
$
208

 
$
156

 
$
110

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
82

 
65

 
17

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(190
)
 
(92
)
 
(80
)
 
(18
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
30

 
16

 
9

 
5

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
(8
)
 

 
(8
)
 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 
(60
)
 
(32
)
 
(24
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2014
 
$
332

 
$
165

 
$
70

 
$
95

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(225
)
 
(138
)
 
(52
)
 
(35
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(27
)
 
(27
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
80

 
$

 
$
18

 
$
60

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
PSEG
 
PSE&G
 
Power
 
Energy
Holdings
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of January 1, 2013
 
$
402

 
$
163

 
$
134

 
$
101

 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
83

 
39

 
33

 
11

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken in a Prior Period
 
(30
)
 
(9
)
 
(19
)
 
(2
)
 
 
Increases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 
23

 
15

 
8

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Positions Taken during the Current Period
 

 

 

 

 
 
Decreases as a Result of Settlements with Taxing Authorities
 

 

 

 

 
 
Decreases due to Lapses of Applicable Statute of Limitations
 

 

 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits as of December 31, 2013
 
$
478

 
$
208

 
$
156

 
$
110

 
 
Accumulated Deferred Income Taxes Associated with Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(320
)
 
(177
)
 
(105
)
 
(37
)
 
 
Regulatory Asset—Unrecognized Tax Benefits
 
(30
)
 
(30
)
 

 

 
 
Total Amount of Unrecognized Tax Benefits that if Recognized, would Impact the Effective Tax Rate (including Interest and Penalties)
 
$
128

 
$
1

 
$
51

 
$
73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

PSEG and its subsidiaries include accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions required to be recorded, as Income Tax Expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Accumulated interest and penalties that are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets on uncertain tax positions were as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accumulated Interest and Penalties
on Uncertain Tax Positions
as of December 31,
 
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
2013
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSE&G
 
$
20

 
$
15

 
$
6

 
 
Power
 
6

 
9

 
(2
)
 
 
Energy Holdings
 
40

 
45

 
44

 
 
Total
 
$
66

 
$
69

 
$
48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


It is reasonably possible that total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease within the next twelve months due to either agreements with various taxing authorities upon audit or the expiration of the Statute of Limitations. These potential decreases are as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Possible Decrease in Total Unrecognized
Tax Benefits
 
Over the next
12 Months
 
 
 
 
Millions
 
 
PSEG
 
$
158

 
 
PSE&G
 
$
102

 
 
Power
 
$
42

 
 
 
 
 
 

A description of income tax years that remain subject to examination by material jurisdictions, where an examination has not already concluded are:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
PSEG
 
PSE&G
  
Power
 
 
United States
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Federal
  
2011-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
New Jersey
  
2006-2014
 
2006-2014
  
N/A
  
 
Pennsylvania
  
2006-2014
 
2006-2014
  
N/A
  
 
Connecticut
  
2002-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
Texas
  
2007-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
California
  
2003-2014
 
N/A
  
N/A
  
 
New York
  
2011-2014
 
N/A
  
2011-2014