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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

During the second quarter 2018, Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to their customers through rate riders
and other means approved by their respective regulatory commissions. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory liability for income taxes as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In Millions)
Entergy

$96

 

$283

 

$219

 

$562

Entergy Arkansas

$41

 

$153

 

$99

 

$260

Entergy Louisiana

$17

 

$55

 

$31

 

$86

Entergy Mississippi

$—

 

$32

 

$—

 

$161

Entergy New Orleans

$7

 

$9

 

$9

 

$9

Entergy Texas

$31

 

$—

 

$73

 

$—

System Entergy

$—

 

$34

 

$7

 

$46



Other Tax Matters    

In April 2019 the state of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phase in an Arkansas tax rate reduction from the current rate of 6.5% to 6.2% in 2021 and 5.9% in 2022.  The rate reduction will eventually reduce Entergy Arkansas’s combined federal and state applicable tax rate by less than 0.5% once fully adopted.  As a result of the rate reduction, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability for income taxes of approximately $25 million which includes a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the ratemaking formula. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.

In September 2019, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and its regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries including Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, became eligible to and joined the Entergy Corporation consolidated federal income tax group.  Additionally, in September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A preferred stock with a liquidation value of $25 per share resulting in the disaffiliation and de-consolidation of Entergy Texas from the consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation.  These changes will not affect the accrual or allocation of income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the preferred stock issuance.

Vermont Yankee

The Vermont Yankee transaction resulted in Entergy generating a net deferred tax asset in January 2019.  The deferred tax asset could not be fully realized by Entergy in the first quarter of 2019; accordingly, Entergy accrued a net tax expense of $29 million on the disposition of Vermont Yankee. See Note 16 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the Vermont Yankee transaction.
Entergy Arkansas [Member]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

During the second quarter 2018, Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to their customers through rate riders
and other means approved by their respective regulatory commissions. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory liability for income taxes as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In Millions)
Entergy

$96

 

$283

 

$219

 

$562

Entergy Arkansas

$41

 

$153

 

$99

 

$260

Entergy Louisiana

$17

 

$55

 

$31

 

$86

Entergy Mississippi

$—

 

$32

 

$—

 

$161

Entergy New Orleans

$7

 

$9

 

$9

 

$9

Entergy Texas

$31

 

$—

 

$73

 

$—

System Entergy

$—

 

$34

 

$7

 

$46



Other Tax Matters    

In April 2019 the state of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phase in an Arkansas tax rate reduction from the current rate of 6.5% to 6.2% in 2021 and 5.9% in 2022.  The rate reduction will eventually reduce Entergy Arkansas’s combined federal and state applicable tax rate by less than 0.5% once fully adopted.  As a result of the rate reduction, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability for income taxes of approximately $25 million which includes a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the ratemaking formula. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.

In September 2019, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and its regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries including Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, became eligible to and joined the Entergy Corporation consolidated federal income tax group.  Additionally, in September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A preferred stock with a liquidation value of $25 per share resulting in the disaffiliation and de-consolidation of Entergy Texas from the consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation.  These changes will not affect the accrual or allocation of income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the preferred stock issuance.

Vermont Yankee

The Vermont Yankee transaction resulted in Entergy generating a net deferred tax asset in January 2019.  The deferred tax asset could not be fully realized by Entergy in the first quarter of 2019; accordingly, Entergy accrued a net tax expense of $29 million on the disposition of Vermont Yankee. See Note 16 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the Vermont Yankee transaction.
Entergy Louisiana [Member]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

During the second quarter 2018, Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to their customers through rate riders
and other means approved by their respective regulatory commissions. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory liability for income taxes as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In Millions)
Entergy

$96

 

$283

 

$219

 

$562

Entergy Arkansas

$41

 

$153

 

$99

 

$260

Entergy Louisiana

$17

 

$55

 

$31

 

$86

Entergy Mississippi

$—

 

$32

 

$—

 

$161

Entergy New Orleans

$7

 

$9

 

$9

 

$9

Entergy Texas

$31

 

$—

 

$73

 

$—

System Entergy

$—

 

$34

 

$7

 

$46



Other Tax Matters    

In April 2019 the state of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phase in an Arkansas tax rate reduction from the current rate of 6.5% to 6.2% in 2021 and 5.9% in 2022.  The rate reduction will eventually reduce Entergy Arkansas’s combined federal and state applicable tax rate by less than 0.5% once fully adopted.  As a result of the rate reduction, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability for income taxes of approximately $25 million which includes a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the ratemaking formula. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.

In September 2019, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and its regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries including Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, became eligible to and joined the Entergy Corporation consolidated federal income tax group.  Additionally, in September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A preferred stock with a liquidation value of $25 per share resulting in the disaffiliation and de-consolidation of Entergy Texas from the consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation.  These changes will not affect the accrual or allocation of income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the preferred stock issuance.

Vermont Yankee

The Vermont Yankee transaction resulted in Entergy generating a net deferred tax asset in January 2019.  The deferred tax asset could not be fully realized by Entergy in the first quarter of 2019; accordingly, Entergy accrued a net tax expense of $29 million on the disposition of Vermont Yankee. See Note 16 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the Vermont Yankee transaction.
Entergy Mississippi [Member]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

During the second quarter 2018, Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to their customers through rate riders
and other means approved by their respective regulatory commissions. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory liability for income taxes as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In Millions)
Entergy

$96

 

$283

 

$219

 

$562

Entergy Arkansas

$41

 

$153

 

$99

 

$260

Entergy Louisiana

$17

 

$55

 

$31

 

$86

Entergy Mississippi

$—

 

$32

 

$—

 

$161

Entergy New Orleans

$7

 

$9

 

$9

 

$9

Entergy Texas

$31

 

$—

 

$73

 

$—

System Entergy

$—

 

$34

 

$7

 

$46



Other Tax Matters    

In April 2019 the state of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phase in an Arkansas tax rate reduction from the current rate of 6.5% to 6.2% in 2021 and 5.9% in 2022.  The rate reduction will eventually reduce Entergy Arkansas’s combined federal and state applicable tax rate by less than 0.5% once fully adopted.  As a result of the rate reduction, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability for income taxes of approximately $25 million which includes a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the ratemaking formula. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.

In September 2019, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and its regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries including Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, became eligible to and joined the Entergy Corporation consolidated federal income tax group.  Additionally, in September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A preferred stock with a liquidation value of $25 per share resulting in the disaffiliation and de-consolidation of Entergy Texas from the consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation.  These changes will not affect the accrual or allocation of income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the preferred stock issuance.

Vermont Yankee

The Vermont Yankee transaction resulted in Entergy generating a net deferred tax asset in January 2019.  The deferred tax asset could not be fully realized by Entergy in the first quarter of 2019; accordingly, Entergy accrued a net tax expense of $29 million on the disposition of Vermont Yankee. See Note 16 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the Vermont Yankee transaction.
Entergy New Orleans [Member]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

During the second quarter 2018, Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to their customers through rate riders
and other means approved by their respective regulatory commissions. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory liability for income taxes as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In Millions)
Entergy

$96

 

$283

 

$219

 

$562

Entergy Arkansas

$41

 

$153

 

$99

 

$260

Entergy Louisiana

$17

 

$55

 

$31

 

$86

Entergy Mississippi

$—

 

$32

 

$—

 

$161

Entergy New Orleans

$7

 

$9

 

$9

 

$9

Entergy Texas

$31

 

$—

 

$73

 

$—

System Entergy

$—

 

$34

 

$7

 

$46



Other Tax Matters    

In April 2019 the state of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phase in an Arkansas tax rate reduction from the current rate of 6.5% to 6.2% in 2021 and 5.9% in 2022.  The rate reduction will eventually reduce Entergy Arkansas’s combined federal and state applicable tax rate by less than 0.5% once fully adopted.  As a result of the rate reduction, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability for income taxes of approximately $25 million which includes a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the ratemaking formula. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.

In September 2019, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and its regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries including Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, became eligible to and joined the Entergy Corporation consolidated federal income tax group.  Additionally, in September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A preferred stock with a liquidation value of $25 per share resulting in the disaffiliation and de-consolidation of Entergy Texas from the consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation.  These changes will not affect the accrual or allocation of income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the preferred stock issuance.

Vermont Yankee

The Vermont Yankee transaction resulted in Entergy generating a net deferred tax asset in January 2019.  The deferred tax asset could not be fully realized by Entergy in the first quarter of 2019; accordingly, Entergy accrued a net tax expense of $29 million on the disposition of Vermont Yankee. See Note 16 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the Vermont Yankee transaction.
Entergy Texas [Member]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

During the second quarter 2018, Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to their customers through rate riders
and other means approved by their respective regulatory commissions. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory liability for income taxes as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In Millions)
Entergy

$96

 

$283

 

$219

 

$562

Entergy Arkansas

$41

 

$153

 

$99

 

$260

Entergy Louisiana

$17

 

$55

 

$31

 

$86

Entergy Mississippi

$—

 

$32

 

$—

 

$161

Entergy New Orleans

$7

 

$9

 

$9

 

$9

Entergy Texas

$31

 

$—

 

$73

 

$—

System Entergy

$—

 

$34

 

$7

 

$46



Other Tax Matters    

In April 2019 the state of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phase in an Arkansas tax rate reduction from the current rate of 6.5% to 6.2% in 2021 and 5.9% in 2022.  The rate reduction will eventually reduce Entergy Arkansas’s combined federal and state applicable tax rate by less than 0.5% once fully adopted.  As a result of the rate reduction, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability for income taxes of approximately $25 million which includes a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the ratemaking formula. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.

In September 2019, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and its regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries including Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, became eligible to and joined the Entergy Corporation consolidated federal income tax group.  Additionally, in September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A preferred stock with a liquidation value of $25 per share resulting in the disaffiliation and de-consolidation of Entergy Texas from the consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation.  These changes will not affect the accrual or allocation of income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the preferred stock issuance.

Vermont Yankee

The Vermont Yankee transaction resulted in Entergy generating a net deferred tax asset in January 2019.  The deferred tax asset could not be fully realized by Entergy in the first quarter of 2019; accordingly, Entergy accrued a net tax expense of $29 million on the disposition of Vermont Yankee. See Note 16 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the Vermont Yankee transaction.
System Energy [Member]  
Income Taxes INCOME TAXES (Entergy Corporation, Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, Entergy New Orleans, Entergy Texas, and System Energy)

See “Income Tax Audits” and “Other Tax Matters” in Note 3 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K for a discussion of income tax audits, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and other income tax matters involving Entergy. The following are updates to that discussion.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

During the second quarter 2018, Registrant Subsidiaries began returning unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes, associated with the effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, to their customers through rate riders
and other means approved by their respective regulatory commissions. Return of the unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes results in a reduction in the regulatory liability for income taxes and a corresponding reduction in income tax expense. This has a significant effect on the effective tax rate for the period as compared to the statutory tax rate. The return of unprotected excess accumulated deferred income taxes reduced Entergy’s and the Registrant Subsidiaries’ regulatory liability for income taxes as follows:
 
Three Months
Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
2019
 
2018
 
2019
 
2018
 
(In Millions)
Entergy

$96

 

$283

 

$219

 

$562

Entergy Arkansas

$41

 

$153

 

$99

 

$260

Entergy Louisiana

$17

 

$55

 

$31

 

$86

Entergy Mississippi

$—

 

$32

 

$—

 

$161

Entergy New Orleans

$7

 

$9

 

$9

 

$9

Entergy Texas

$31

 

$—

 

$73

 

$—

System Entergy

$—

 

$34

 

$7

 

$46



Other Tax Matters    

In April 2019 the state of Arkansas enacted corporate income tax law changes that phase in an Arkansas tax rate reduction from the current rate of 6.5% to 6.2% in 2021 and 5.9% in 2022.  The rate reduction will eventually reduce Entergy Arkansas’s combined federal and state applicable tax rate by less than 0.5% once fully adopted.  As a result of the rate reduction, Entergy Arkansas recorded a regulatory liability for income taxes of approximately $25 million which includes a tax gross-up related to the treatment of income taxes in the ratemaking formula. The Arkansas tax law enactment also phases in an increase to the net operating loss carryover period from five to ten years.

In September 2019, Entergy Utility Holding Company, LLC and its regulated, wholly owned subsidiaries including Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Louisiana, Entergy Mississippi, and Entergy New Orleans, became eligible to and joined the Entergy Corporation consolidated federal income tax group.  Additionally, in September 2019, Entergy Texas issued $35 million of 5.375% Series A preferred stock with a liquidation value of $25 per share resulting in the disaffiliation and de-consolidation of Entergy Texas from the consolidated federal income tax return of Entergy Corporation.  These changes will not affect the accrual or allocation of income taxes for the Registrant Subsidiaries. See Note 3 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the preferred stock issuance.

Vermont Yankee

The Vermont Yankee transaction resulted in Entergy generating a net deferred tax asset in January 2019.  The deferred tax asset could not be fully realized by Entergy in the first quarter of 2019; accordingly, Entergy accrued a net tax expense of $29 million on the disposition of Vermont Yankee. See Note 16 to the financial statements herein for discussion of the Vermont Yankee transaction.