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INCOME TAXES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2021
INCOME TAXES  
INCOME TAXES

15. Income Taxes

U.S. Tax law changes

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Tax Act). The Tax Act includes provisions for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) under which taxes are imposed on the excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of certain foreign subsidiaries and for Base Erosion and Anti-Abuse Tax (BEAT) under which taxes are imposed on certain base eroding payments to affiliated foreign companies. While the U.S. tax authorities issued formal guidance, including recently issued regulations for BEAT and other provisions of the Tax Act, there are still certain aspects of the Tax Act that remain unclear and subject to substantial uncertainties. Additional guidance is expected in future periods. Such guidance may result in changes to the interpretations and assumptions we made and actions we may take, which may impact amounts recorded with respect to international provisions of the Tax Act, possibly materially. Consistent with accounting guidance, we treat BEAT as a period tax charge in the period the tax is incurred and have made an accounting policy election to treat GILTI taxes in a similar manner.

On March 27, 2020, the U.S. enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act to mitigate the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis. The tax provisions of the CARES Act have not had and are currently not expected to have a material impact on AIG’s U.S. federal tax liabilities.

RECLASSIFICATION OF CERTAIN TAX EFFECTS FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

We use an item-by-item approach to release the stranded or disproportionate income tax effects in AOCI related to our available-for-sale securities. Under this approach, a portion of the disproportionate tax effects is assigned to each individual security lot at the date the amount becomes lodged. When the individual securities are sold, mature, or are otherwise impaired on an other-than-temporary basis, the assigned portion of the disproportionate tax effect is reclassified from AOCI to income from continuing operations.

Interim Tax Calculation Method

We use the estimated annual effective tax rate method in computing our interim tax provision. Certain items, including those deemed to be unusual, infrequent or that cannot be reliably estimated, are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. In these cases, the actual tax expense or benefit is reported in the same period as the related item. Certain tax effects are also not reflected in the estimated annual effective tax rate, primarily certain changes in uncertain tax positions and realizability of deferred tax assets, and are recorded in the period in which the change occurs. While certain impacts of the Tax Act are included in our annual effective tax rate, we continue to refine our calculations as additional information becomes available, which may result in changes to the estimated annual effective tax rate. As of June 30, 2021, the annual effective tax rate includes the tax effects of actual and projected COVID-19 related losses and market developments.

Interim Tax Expense (Benefit)

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2021, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was (2.0) percent. The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate of 21 percent primarily due to tax benefits associated with the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions and interest related to a New York State tax settlement based on the completion of recent audit activity, tax exempt income, remeasurement of deferred taxes as a result of the increase in the UK corporate statutory income tax rate, and reclassifications from AOCI to income from continuing operations related to the disposal of available for sale securities. These tax benefits were partially offset by tax charges associated with the effect of foreign operations, state and local income taxes, and non-deductible transfer pricing charges. We also recognized a tax charge associated with reduction of net operating loss deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions, with a corresponding decrease in the related deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The effect of foreign operations is primarily related to income of our foreign operations taxed at statutory tax rates higher than 21 percent, other foreign taxes, and foreign income subject to U.S. taxation.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations was 16.3 percent. The effective tax rate on income from continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate of 21 percent primarily due to tax benefits associated with the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions, penalties and interest related to the recent completion of audit activity by the IRS, release of reserves for uncertain tax positions and interest related to a New York State tax settlement based on the completion of recent audit activity, tax exempt income, remeasurement of deferred taxes as a result of an increase in the UK corporate income tax rate enacted during the second quarter, and reclassifications from AOCI to income from continuing operations related to the disposal of available for sale securities. These tax benefits were partially offset by tax charges associated with the

establishment of U.S. federal valuation allowance related to certain tax attribute carryforwards, the effect of foreign operations, excess tax charges related to share based compensation payments recorded through the income statement, state and local income taxes, and non-deductible transfer pricing charges. We also recognized a tax charge associated with reduction of net operating loss deferred tax assets in certain foreign jurisdictions, with a corresponding decrease in the related deferred tax asset valuation allowance. The effect of foreign operations is primarily related to income of our foreign operations taxed at statutory tax rates higher than 21 percent, other foreign taxes, and foreign income subject to U.S. taxation.

For the three-month period ended June 30, 2020, the effective tax rate on loss from continuing operations was 19.6 percent. The effective tax rate on loss from continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate of 21 percent primarily due to tax effects of the Majority Interest Fortitude Sale, tax charges associated with the increase of U.S. federal valuation allowance related to certain tax attribute carryforwards, accrual of interest associated with IRS and other tax authority matters, the effect of foreign operations, state and local income taxes, and non-deductible transfer pricing charges, partially offset by tax benefits associated with tax exempt income, and reclassifications from AOCI to income from continuing operations related to the disposal of available for sale securities. The effect of foreign operations is primarily related to income in our foreign operations taxed at statutory tax rates higher than 21 percent, other foreign taxes, and foreign income subject to U.S. taxation.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2020, the effective tax rate on loss from continuing operations was 14.0 percent. The effective tax rate on loss from continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate of 21 percent primarily due to tax effects of the Majority Interest Fortitude Sale, tax charges associated with the establishment of U.S. federal valuation allowance related to certain tax attribute carryforwards, accrual of interest associated with IRS and other tax authority matters, excess tax charges related to share based compensation payments recorded through the income statement, the effect of foreign operations, state and local income taxes, and non-deductible transfer pricing charges, partially offset by tax benefits associated with tax exempt income, and reclassifications from AOCI to income from continuing operations related to the disposal of available for sale securities. The effect of foreign operations is primarily related to income in our foreign operations taxed at statutory tax rates higher than 21 percent, other foreign taxes, and foreign income subject to U.S. taxation.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, we consider our foreign earnings with respect to certain operations in Canada, South Africa, the Far East, Latin America, Bermuda as well as the European, Asia Pacific and Middle East regions to be indefinitely reinvested. These earnings relate to ongoing operations and have been reinvested in active business operations. Deferred taxes, if necessary, have been provided on earnings of non-U.S. affiliates whose earnings are not indefinitely reinvested. Given the uncertainties around the impact from the COVID-19 crisis, including the significant global economic slowdown, we continue to monitor and review its impact on our reinvestment considerations, including regulatory oversight in the relevant jurisdictions.

Assessment of Deferred Tax Asset Valuation Allowance

The evaluation of the recoverability of our deferred tax asset and the need for a valuation allowance requires us to weigh all positive and negative evidence to reach a conclusion that it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The weight given to the evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. The more negative evidence that exists, the more positive evidence is necessary and the more difficult it is to support a conclusion that a valuation allowance is not needed.

Our framework for assessing the recoverability of the deferred tax asset requires us to consider all available evidence, including:

the nature, frequency, and amount of cumulative financial reporting income and losses in recent years;

the sustainability of recent operating profitability of our subsidiaries;

the predictability of future operating profitability of the character necessary to realize the net deferred tax asset, including forecasts of future income for each of our businesses and actual and planned business and operational changes;

the carryforward periods for the net operating loss, capital loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards, including the effect of reversing taxable temporary differences; and

prudent and feasible actions and tax planning strategies that would be implemented, if necessary, to protect against the loss of the deferred tax asset.

In performing our assessment of the recoverability of the deferred tax asset under this framework, we consider tax laws governing the utilization of the net operating loss, capital loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards in each applicable jurisdiction. Under U.S. tax law, a company generally must use its net operating loss carryforwards before it can use its foreign tax credit carryforwards, even though the carryforward period for the foreign tax credit is shorter than for the net operating loss. Our U.S. federal consolidated income tax group includes both life companies and non-life companies. While the U.S. taxable income of our non-life companies can be offset by our net operating loss carryforwards, only a portion (no more than 35 percent) of the U.S. taxable income of our life companies can be offset by those net operating loss carryforwards. The remaining tax liability of our life companies can be offset by the foreign tax credit carryforwards. Accordingly, we are able to utilize both the net operating loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards concurrently.

Recent events, including the impact of the recent completion of audit activity by the IRS, the COVID-19 crisis, changes in target interest rates by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and significant market volatility, continue to impact actual and projected results of our business operations as well as our views on potential effectiveness of certain prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. In order to demonstrate the predictability and sufficiency of future taxable income necessary to support the realizability of the net operating losses and foreign tax credit carryforwards, we have considered forecasts of future income for each of our businesses, including assumptions about future macro-economic and AIG-specific conditions and events, and any impact these conditions and events may have on our prudent and feasible tax planning strategies. We also subjected the forecasts to a variety of stresses of key assumptions and evaluated the effect on tax attribute utilization.

The carryforward periods of our foreign tax credit carryforwards range from tax years 2021 through 2023. Carryforward periods for our net operating losses extend from 2028 forward. However, utilization of a portion of our net operating losses is limited under separate return limitation year rules. During the first quarter of 2021, the recent completion of audit activity by the IRS and subsequent release of certain reserves for uncertain tax positions resulted in an initial recognition of additional net operating loss and foreign tax credit carryforwards arising in prior years. Taking into account this initial recognition of additional carryforwards as well as other events and our analysis of their potential impact on utilization of our tax attributes, for the three months ended March 31, 2021, we recorded an increase of $700 million in valuation allowance related to a portion of our net operating loss carryforwards that are no longer more-likely-than-not to be realized. No additional activity was recorded for the three-month period ended June 30, 2021. Accordingly, during the six months ended June 30, 2021, we have recorded a $700 million valuation allowance through continuing operations.

To the extent that the valuation allowance is attributed to changes in forecast of current year taxable income, the impact is included in our estimated annualized effective tax rate. The valuation allowance related to changes in forecasts of income in future periods as well as other items not related to the current year was recorded discretely.

As of June 30, 2021, the balance sheet reflects a valuation allowance of $850 million related to a portion of our foreign tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards that are no longer more-likely-than-not to be realized.

Estimates of future taxable income, including income generated from prudent and feasible actions and tax planning strategies, impact of settlements with taxing authorities, and any changes to interpretations and assumptions related to the impact of the Tax Act could change in the near term, perhaps materially, which may require us to consider any potential impact to our assessment of the recoverability of the deferred tax asset. Additionally, estimates of future taxable income, including prudent and feasible tax planning strategies, may be further impacted by market developments arising from the COVID-19 crisis and uncertainty regarding its outcome. Such potential impact could be material to our consolidated financial condition or results of operations for an individual reporting period.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, recent changes in market conditions, including the COVID-19 crisis and interest rate fluctuations, impacted the unrealized tax gains and losses in the U.S. Life Insurance companies’ available for sale securities portfolio, resulting in a deferred tax liability related to net unrealized tax capital gains. As of June 30, 2021, based on all available evidence, we concluded that no valuation allowance is necessary in the U.S. Life Insurance companies’ available for sale securities portfolio.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2021, recent changes in market conditions, including interest rate fluctuations, impacted the unrealized tax gains and losses in the U.S. non-life companies’ available for sale securities portfolio, resulting in a deferred tax liability related to net unrealized tax capital gains. As of June 30, 2021, based on all available evidence, we concluded that no valuation allowance is necessary in the U.S. non-life companies’ available for sale securities portfolio.

For the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2021, we recognized net increases (decreases) of $(25) million and $(39) million, respectively, in deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with certain foreign and state jurisdictions, primarily attributable to current year activity. The decrease in valuation allowance includes a $16 million decrease in deferred tax asset valuation allowance associated with certain foreign jurisdictions, primarily attributable to a corresponding reduction in foreign net operating loss deferred tax assets as a result of the expiration of a portion of net operating losses prior to utilization in Japan which was recorded during the three-month period ended June 30, 2021.

Tax Examinations and Litigation

We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return with our eligible U.S. subsidiaries. Income earned by subsidiaries operating outside the U.S. is taxed, and income tax expense is recorded, based on applicable U.S. and foreign laws.

We are currently under examination by the IRS for the tax years 2011 through 2013.

In September 2020, we received the IRS Revenue Agent Report containing agreed and disagreed issues for the audit of tax years 2007-2010. In October 2020, we filed a protest of the disagreed issues with the IRS Independent Office of Appeals (IRS Appeals). In March 2021, the IRS audit team issued their rebuttal to the protest of disagreed issues to IRS Appeals. We have also received notification that the disagreed issues were accepted for review by IRS Appeals.

In 2009, after paying amounts due on a statutory notice of deficiency related to the disallowance of foreign tax credits associated with cross border financing transactions, we filed a refund lawsuit in the Southern District of New York (Southern District) with respect to tax year 1997. In January 2018, the parties reached non-binding agreements in principle on issues presented in the dispute with respect to other relevant tax years. In 2019, we agreed with the IRS to execute an agreement for the tax years at issue in which AIG would waive restrictions on the assessment of additional tax related to the settlement of the underlying issues in those tax years. The litigation was stayed pending the outcome of the review process. During the fourth quarter of 2020, the parties concluded the review process and executed a binding settlement agreement with respect to the underlying issues. On October 22, 2020, the Southern District dismissed the case based upon the settlement reached between AIG and the government. The parties continue to review the related interest calculations based on the settlement agreement, which will become due upon the IRS’ issuance of a Notice and Demand for Payment. During June 2021, AIG made an additional payment of $354 million to the U.S. Treasury with respect to this matter. While we continue to finalize the interest calculations with the IRS, AIG expects to make the remaining payment as early as the third quarter of 2021.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, were $1.1 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our unrecognized tax benefits related to tax positions that, if recognized, would not affect the effective tax rate because they relate to such factors as the timing, rather than the permissibility, of the deduction were $11 million and $44 million, respectively. Accordingly, at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, the amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective tax rate were $1.1 billion and $2.3 billion, respectively. The decrease in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 is primarily attributable to the recent completion of audit activity by the IRS and New York State.

Interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in income tax expense. At June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had accrued liabilities of $73 million and $286 million, respectively, for the payment of interest (net of the federal benefit) and penalties. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, we accrued expense (benefit) of $(203) million and $96 million, respectively, for the payment of interest and penalties. The activity in the six-month period ended June 30, 2021 is primarily related to the recent completion of audit activity by the IRS and New York State.

We believe it is reasonably possible that our unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next 12 months by as much as $15 million, principally as a result of potential resolutions or settlements of prior years’ tax items. The prior years’ tax items include unrecognized tax benefits related to the deductibility of certain expenses.