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Income Taxes | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] |
Income Taxes | Income Taxes NEE's effective income tax rates for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were approximately 26% and 29%, respectively. The rates for both periods reflect the benefit of PTCs of approximately $30 million and $31 million, respectively, related to NEER's wind projects, as well as ITCs and deferred income taxes associated with grants under the Recovery Act (convertible ITCs) totaling approximately $42 million and $43 million, respectively, related to solar and certain wind projects at NEER. NEE's effective income tax rates for the six months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 were approximately 29% and 28%, respectively. The rates for both periods reflect the benefit of PTCs of approximately $58 million and $73 million, respectively, related to NEER's wind projects, as well as ITCs and deferred income taxes associated with convertible ITCs totaling approximately $169 million and $79 million, respectively, related to solar and certain wind projects at NEER. NEE recognizes PTCs as wind energy is generated and sold based on a per kWh rate prescribed in applicable federal and state statutes, which may differ significantly from amounts computed, on a quarterly basis, using an overall effective income tax rate anticipated for the full year. NEE uses this method of recognizing PTCs for specific reasons, including that PTCs are an integral part of the financial viability of most wind projects and a fundamental component of such wind projects' results of operations. PTCs, as well as ITCs and deferred income taxes associated with convertible ITCs, can significantly affect NEE's effective income tax rate depending on the amount of pretax income. The amount of PTCs recognized can be significantly affected by wind generation and by the roll off of PTCs after ten years of production (PTC roll off). In April 2016, a court decision was issued approving a reorganization of certain Canadian assets that provided for tax bases in certain of these assets (Canadian tax restructuring). NEE recorded approximately $30 million of the associated income tax benefits during the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, which effectively reversed a portion of the income tax charge NEE recorded in the second quarter of 2014 associated with structuring Canadian assets. In addition, consolidating income tax adjustments for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 include an approximately $58 million income tax charge related to the sale of NEER's ownership interest in merchant natural gas generation facilities located in Texas with a total generating capacity of 2,884 MW (Texas natural gas generation facilities). See Note 9 - Assets and Liabilities Associated with Assets Held for Sale.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2144680 + Details
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