Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2025

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

INCOME TAXES

See Note 10 to the financial statements in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for additional tax information.

Current and Deferred Income Taxes

In 2024, Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Southern Power entered into agreements with non-affiliated parties to transfer ITCs and PTCs at a discount to the generated credit value in 2024, 2025, and 2026. During the first six months of 2025, Alabama Power, Georgia Power, and Southern Power received cash of $44 million, $28 million, and $13 million, respectively, from credits transferred. The discount is recorded as a reduction in tax credits recognized in the financial statements and does not have a material impact on results of operations. The Southern Company system continues to explore the ability to efficiently monetize its tax credits through third-party transfer agreements.

Pursuant to certain joint ownership agreements, Georgia Power paid $81 million in the second quarter 2025 to the other Vogtle Owners for advanced nuclear PTCs for Plant Vogtle Units 3 and 4. The gain was recognized in 2025 as an income tax benefit and was immaterial.

Tax Credit and Net Operating Loss Carryforwards

Southern Company's federal PTC and ITC carryforwards are expected to be fully utilized by 2030. The utilization of each Registrant's estimated federal and state tax attributes and related valuation allowances could be impacted by numerous factors, including the acquisition of additional renewable energy and battery energy storage projects, changes in taxable income projections, and potential income tax rate changes. See Notes (B) and (K) under "Georgia Power" and "Southern Power," respectively, herein for information regarding current renewable energy and battery energy storage projects.

Effective Tax Rate

Southern Company's effective tax rate is typically lower than the statutory rate due to employee stock plans' dividend deduction, non-taxable AFUDC equity at the traditional electric operating companies, flowback of excess deferred income taxes at the regulated utilities, and federal income tax benefits from ITCs and PTCs.

Details of significant changes in the effective tax rate for the applicable Registrants are provided herein.

Southern Company

Southern Company's effective tax rate was 21.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 18.5% for the corresponding period in 2024. The effective tax rate increase was primarily due to charges to a valuation allowance on certain state tax credit carryforwards at Georgia Power, the recognition of certain state tax positions

from amended returns in the second quarter 2024 at Georgia Power, and a decrease in the flowback of certain excess deferred income taxes at Alabama Power, partially offset by increases in the flowback of excess state deferred income taxes and in the generation of advanced nuclear PTCs at Georgia Power.

Alabama Power

Alabama Power's effective tax rate was 23.0% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 21.0% for the corresponding period in 2024. The effective tax rate increase was primarily due to a decrease in the flowback of certain excess deferred income taxes.

Georgia Power

Georgia Power's effective tax rate was 21.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 18.4% for the corresponding period in 2024. The effective tax rate increase was primarily due to charges to a valuation allowance on certain state tax credit carryforwards and the recognition of certain state tax positions from amended returns in the second quarter 2024, partially offset by increases in the flowback of excess state deferred income taxes and in the generation of advanced nuclear PTCs.

Mississippi Power

Mississippi Power's effective tax rate was 22.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 18.4% for the corresponding period in 2024. The effective tax rate increase was primarily due to a decrease in the flowback of certain excess deferred income taxes.

Southern Power

Southern Power's effective tax benefit rate was (7.0)% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to (0.8)% for the corresponding period in 2024. The effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to a change in pre-tax earnings attributable to Southern Power, including the impact of accelerated depreciation related to wind repowering projects and changes in tax rates resulting from tax legislation enacted by the State of Georgia in the second quarters of 2024 and 2025. See Note (K) under "Southern Power – Wind Repowering Projects" herein for additional information.

Southern Company Gas

Southern Company Gas' effective tax rate was 23.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to 25.1% for the corresponding period in 2024. The effective tax rate decrease was primarily due to an increase in the flowback of excess state deferred income taxes.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

Southern Company's, Alabama Power's, and Georgia Power's unrecognized tax positions balances at June 30, 2025 were $382 million, $144 million, and $188 million, respectively. At December 31, 2024, Southern Company's and Georgia Power's unrecognized tax positions balances were $82 million and $34 million, respectively, and Alabama Power had no unrecognized tax positions. The increases from prior periods are related to Alabama Power's and Georgia Power's ability to meet prevailing wage requirements related to existing zero-emission nuclear power PTCs and will not impact Southern Company's, Alabama Power's, and Georgia Power's effective tax rates if recognized. The ultimate outcome of this unrecognized tax benefit, which is expected to be resolved within the next 12 months, is dependent on acceptance by the IRS and cannot be determined at this time.