XML 84 R19.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.3.0.814
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement

We, along with our subsidiaries, file a consolidated federal income tax return.  The allocation of the AEP System’s current consolidated federal income tax to the AEP System companies allocates the benefit of current tax losses to the AEP System companies giving rise to such losses in determining their current tax expense.  The tax benefit of the Parent is allocated to our subsidiaries with taxable income.  With the exception of the loss of the Parent, the method of allocation reflects a separate return result for each company in the consolidated group.

Valuation Allowance

We assess the available positive and negative evidence to estimate whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use existing deferred tax assets.  On the basis of this evaluation, we recorded a valuation allowance of $165 million attributable to the unrealized capital loss associated with the excess tax basis of the stock over the book value of our investment in the operations of AEPRO.  The assets and liabilities of AEPRO have been recorded as Assets Held for Sale and Liabilities Held for Sale, respectively, on our condensed balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  See "AEPRO (AEP River Operations Segment)" section of Note 6 for additional information regarding the assets and liabilities classified as held for sale.  As of September 30, 2015, valuation allowances totaling $221 million for unrealized capital losses have been recorded in order to recognize only the portion of the deferred tax assets that, more likely than not, will be realized. 

Federal and State Income Tax Audit Status

We are no longer subject to U.S. federal examination for years before 2011. The IRS examination of years 2011, 2012 and 2013 started in April 2014. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, in our opinion, adequate provisions for federal income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such matters.  In addition, we accrue interest on these uncertain tax positions.  We are not aware of any issues for open tax years that upon final resolution are expected to materially impact net income.

We, along with our subsidiaries, file income tax returns in various state, local and foreign jurisdictions.  These taxing authorities routinely examine our tax returns. We are currently under examination in several state and local jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that we have filed tax returns with positions that may be challenged by these tax authorities.  We believe that adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such challenges and that the ultimate resolution of these audits will not materially impact net income.  We are no longer subject to state, local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.

State Tax Legislation

House Bill 32 was passed by the state of Texas in June 2015 permanently reducing the Texas income/franchise tax rate from 0.95% to 0.75% effective January 1, 2016, applicable to reports originally due on or after the effective date. The Texas income/franchise tax rate had been scheduled to return to 1% in 2016. The enacted provision did not materially impact net income, cash flows or financial condition.


Appalachian Power Co [Member]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement

The Registrant Subsidiaries join in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with their affiliates in the AEP System.  The allocation of the AEP System’s current consolidated federal income tax to the AEP System companies allocates the benefit of current tax losses to the AEP System companies giving rise to such losses in determining their current tax expense.  The tax benefit of the Parent is allocated to its subsidiaries with taxable income.  With the exception of the loss of the Parent, the method of allocation reflects a separate return result for each company in the consolidated group.

Federal and State Income Tax Audit Status

The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal examination for years before 2011. The IRS examination of years 2011, 2012 and 2013 started in April 2014. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for federal income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such matters.  In addition, the Registrant Subsidiaries accrue interest on these uncertain tax positions.  Management is not aware of any issues for open tax years that upon final resolution are expected to materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.

The Registrant Subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions.  These taxing authorities routinely examine the tax returns and the Registrant Subsidiaries are currently under examination in several state and local jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that previously filed tax returns have positions that may be challenged by these tax authorities.  Management believes that adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such challenges and that the ultimate resolution of these audits will not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.

State Tax Legislation

House Bill 32 was passed by the state of Texas in June 2015 permanently reducing the Texas income/franchise tax rate from 0.95% to 0.75% effective January 1, 2016, applicable to reports originally due on or after the effective date. The Texas income/franchise tax rate had been scheduled to return to 1% in 2016. The enacted provision did not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income, cash flows or financial condition.


Indiana Michigan Power Co [Member]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement

The Registrant Subsidiaries join in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with their affiliates in the AEP System.  The allocation of the AEP System’s current consolidated federal income tax to the AEP System companies allocates the benefit of current tax losses to the AEP System companies giving rise to such losses in determining their current tax expense.  The tax benefit of the Parent is allocated to its subsidiaries with taxable income.  With the exception of the loss of the Parent, the method of allocation reflects a separate return result for each company in the consolidated group.

Federal and State Income Tax Audit Status

The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal examination for years before 2011. The IRS examination of years 2011, 2012 and 2013 started in April 2014. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for federal income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such matters.  In addition, the Registrant Subsidiaries accrue interest on these uncertain tax positions.  Management is not aware of any issues for open tax years that upon final resolution are expected to materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.

The Registrant Subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions.  These taxing authorities routinely examine the tax returns and the Registrant Subsidiaries are currently under examination in several state and local jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that previously filed tax returns have positions that may be challenged by these tax authorities.  Management believes that adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such challenges and that the ultimate resolution of these audits will not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.

State Tax Legislation

House Bill 32 was passed by the state of Texas in June 2015 permanently reducing the Texas income/franchise tax rate from 0.95% to 0.75% effective January 1, 2016, applicable to reports originally due on or after the effective date. The Texas income/franchise tax rate had been scheduled to return to 1% in 2016. The enacted provision did not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income, cash flows or financial condition.


Ohio Power Co [Member]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement

The Registrant Subsidiaries join in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with their affiliates in the AEP System.  The allocation of the AEP System’s current consolidated federal income tax to the AEP System companies allocates the benefit of current tax losses to the AEP System companies giving rise to such losses in determining their current tax expense.  The tax benefit of the Parent is allocated to its subsidiaries with taxable income.  With the exception of the loss of the Parent, the method of allocation reflects a separate return result for each company in the consolidated group.

Federal and State Income Tax Audit Status

The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal examination for years before 2011. The IRS examination of years 2011, 2012 and 2013 started in April 2014. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for federal income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such matters.  In addition, the Registrant Subsidiaries accrue interest on these uncertain tax positions.  Management is not aware of any issues for open tax years that upon final resolution are expected to materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.

The Registrant Subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions.  These taxing authorities routinely examine the tax returns and the Registrant Subsidiaries are currently under examination in several state and local jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that previously filed tax returns have positions that may be challenged by these tax authorities.  Management believes that adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such challenges and that the ultimate resolution of these audits will not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.

State Tax Legislation

House Bill 32 was passed by the state of Texas in June 2015 permanently reducing the Texas income/franchise tax rate from 0.95% to 0.75% effective January 1, 2016, applicable to reports originally due on or after the effective date. The Texas income/franchise tax rate had been scheduled to return to 1% in 2016. The enacted provision did not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income, cash flows or financial condition.


Public Service Co Of Oklahoma [Member]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement

The Registrant Subsidiaries join in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with their affiliates in the AEP System.  The allocation of the AEP System’s current consolidated federal income tax to the AEP System companies allocates the benefit of current tax losses to the AEP System companies giving rise to such losses in determining their current tax expense.  The tax benefit of the Parent is allocated to its subsidiaries with taxable income.  With the exception of the loss of the Parent, the method of allocation reflects a separate return result for each company in the consolidated group.

Federal and State Income Tax Audit Status

The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal examination for years before 2011. The IRS examination of years 2011, 2012 and 2013 started in April 2014. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for federal income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such matters.  In addition, the Registrant Subsidiaries accrue interest on these uncertain tax positions.  Management is not aware of any issues for open tax years that upon final resolution are expected to materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.

The Registrant Subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions.  These taxing authorities routinely examine the tax returns and the Registrant Subsidiaries are currently under examination in several state and local jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that previously filed tax returns have positions that may be challenged by these tax authorities.  Management believes that adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such challenges and that the ultimate resolution of these audits will not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.

State Tax Legislation

House Bill 32 was passed by the state of Texas in June 2015 permanently reducing the Texas income/franchise tax rate from 0.95% to 0.75% effective January 1, 2016, applicable to reports originally due on or after the effective date. The Texas income/franchise tax rate had been scheduled to return to 1% in 2016. The enacted provision did not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income, cash flows or financial condition.


Southwestern Electric Power Co [Member]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

AEP System Tax Allocation Agreement

The Registrant Subsidiaries join in the filing of a consolidated federal income tax return with their affiliates in the AEP System.  The allocation of the AEP System’s current consolidated federal income tax to the AEP System companies allocates the benefit of current tax losses to the AEP System companies giving rise to such losses in determining their current tax expense.  The tax benefit of the Parent is allocated to its subsidiaries with taxable income.  With the exception of the loss of the Parent, the method of allocation reflects a separate return result for each company in the consolidated group.

Federal and State Income Tax Audit Status

The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to U.S. federal examination for years before 2011. The IRS examination of years 2011, 2012 and 2013 started in April 2014. Although the outcome of tax audits is uncertain, in management’s opinion, adequate provisions for federal income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such matters.  In addition, the Registrant Subsidiaries accrue interest on these uncertain tax positions.  Management is not aware of any issues for open tax years that upon final resolution are expected to materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.

The Registrant Subsidiaries file income tax returns in various state and local jurisdictions.  These taxing authorities routinely examine the tax returns and the Registrant Subsidiaries are currently under examination in several state and local jurisdictions.  However, it is possible that previously filed tax returns have positions that may be challenged by these tax authorities.  Management believes that adequate provisions for income taxes have been made for potential liabilities resulting from such challenges and that the ultimate resolution of these audits will not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income.  The Registrant Subsidiaries are no longer subject to state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2009.

State Tax Legislation

House Bill 32 was passed by the state of Texas in June 2015 permanently reducing the Texas income/franchise tax rate from 0.95% to 0.75% effective January 1, 2016, applicable to reports originally due on or after the effective date. The Texas income/franchise tax rate had been scheduled to return to 1% in 2016. The enacted provision did not materially impact the Registrant Subsidiaries' net income, cash flows or financial condition.