Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

11. Income Taxes

Income Tax Provision

In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, the principal method established for computing the provision for income taxes in interim periods requires us to make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. This estimated effective tax rate is then applied to interim consolidated pre-tax operating income to determine the interim provision for income taxes.

The effective tax rate, which is the provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes, was 17.0% for the first quarter of 2019 and 12.9% for the first quarter of 2018. The effective tax rates are less than our combined federal and state statutory tax rate of 23.7%, primarily due to income from investments in tax-advantaged assets such as corporate-owned life insurance and credits associated with renewable energy and low-income housing investments. The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2019, and March 31, 2018, were affected by a net discrete income tax benefit of .9% and 5.5%, respectively.

Deferred Tax Asset

At March 31, 2019, we had a net deferred tax asset of $24 million, compared to a net deferred tax asset of $222 million at December 31, 2018, included in “accrued income and other assets” on the balance sheet.

To determine the amount of deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized, and therefore recorded, we conduct a quarterly assessment of all available evidence. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, taxable income in prior periods, projected future taxable income, and projected future reversals of deferred tax items. These

assessments involve a degree of subjectivity and may undergo change. Based on these criteria, we had a valuation allowance of $11 million at March 31, 2019, and $11 million at December 31, 2018. The valuation allowance is associated with certain state net operating loss carryforwards, state credit carryforwards, and federal and state capital loss carryforwards.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As permitted under the applicable accounting guidance for income taxes, it is our policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in “income tax expense.” At March 31, 2019, Key’s unrecognized tax benefits were $36 million.

Pre-1988 Bank Reserves Acquired in a Business Combination

Retained earnings of KeyBank included approximately $92 million of allocated bad debt deductions for which no income taxes have been recorded. Under current federal law, these reserves are subject to recapture into taxable income if KeyBank, or any successor, fails to maintain its bank status under the Internal Revenue Code or makes non-dividend distributions or distributions greater than its accumulated earnings and profits. No deferred tax liability has been established as these events are not expected to occur in the foreseeable future.