Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
Income Taxes
Income Taxes	5. Income Taxes Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was 24.8% and 22.7%, respectively. We evaluate our effective income tax rate at each interim period and adjust it as facts and circumstances warrant. The differences between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were primarily due to the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes offset, in part, by the favorable impact of federal tax credits and excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation. The three months ended March 31, 2019 was also unfavorably impacted by an impairment as discussed below. Investments Qualifying for Federal Tax Credits — We have significant financial interests in entities established to invest in and manage low-income housing properties and a refined coal facility. We support the operations of these entities in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits they generate. The low-income housing investments and the coal facility’s refinement processes qualify for federal tax credits that we expect to realize through 2030 under Sections 42 and 45D, and through 2019 under Section 45, respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code. We account for our investments in these entities using the equity method of accounting, recognizing our share of each entity’s results of operations and other reductions in the value of our investments in equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $9 million and $6 million of net losses and a reduction in our income tax expense of $15 million and $10 million, respectively, primarily because of tax credits realized from these investments. Interest expense associated with our investments in low-income housing properties was not material for the periods presented. See Note 14 for additional information related to these unconsolidated variable interest entities. Tax Implications of Impairment — We recognized a $52 million impairment charge during the three months ended March 31, 2019 which was not deductible for tax purposes. See Note 10 for additional information.

5. Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 was 24.8% and 22.7%, respectively. We evaluate our effective income tax rate at each interim period and adjust it as facts and circumstances warrant. The differences between federal income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate and reported income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 were primarily due to the unfavorable impact of state and local income taxes offset, in part, by the favorable impact of federal tax credits and excess tax benefits related to equity-based compensation. The three months ended March 31, 2019 was also unfavorably impacted by an impairment as discussed below.

Investments Qualifying for Federal Tax Credits — We have significant financial interests in entities established to invest in and manage low-income housing properties and a refined coal facility. We support the operations of these entities in exchange for a pro-rata share of the tax credits they generate. The low-income housing investments and the coal facility’s refinement processes qualify for federal tax credits that we expect to realize through 2030 under Sections 42 and 45D, and through 2019 under Section 45, respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code.

We account for our investments in these entities using the equity method of accounting, recognizing our share of each entity’s results of operations and other reductions in the value of our investments in equity in net losses of unconsolidated entities, in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized $9 million and $6 million of net losses and a reduction in our income tax expense of $15 million and $10 million, respectively, primarily because of tax credits realized from these investments. Interest expense associated with our investments in low-income housing properties was not material for the periods presented. See Note 14 for additional information related to these unconsolidated variable interest entities.

Tax Implications of Impairment — We recognized a $52 million impairment charge during the three months ended March 31, 2019 which was not deductible for tax purposes. See Note 10 for additional information.