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Income Taxes (Notes)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
 
Income taxes from continuing operations included in our accompanying consolidated statements of income were as follows (in millions, except percentages): 

 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2014
 
2013
Income tax expense
$
200

 
$
279

Effective tax rate
25
%
 
30
%


Tax expense from income from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is approximately $200 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 25% for continuing operations, as compared with $279 million tax expense and an effective tax rate of 30%, for the same period of 2013. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2014 is lower than the statutory federal rate of 35% primarily due to (i) the net effect of consolidating KMP and EPB’s income tax provision and (ii) dividend-received deductions from our 50% interest in Florida Gas Pipeline (through our investment in Citrus Corporation). These decreases are partially offset by (i) state income taxes; (ii) a decrease in our share of non-tax deductible goodwill associated with our investments in KMP; (iii) adjustments to our income tax reserve for uncertain tax positions; and (iv) the amortization of the deferred charge recorded as a result of the August 2012 and March 2013 drop-down transactions to KMP.

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is lower than the statutory federal rate of 35% primarily due to (i) the net effect of consolidating KMP and EPB’s income tax provisions; (ii) dividend-received deductions from our 50% investment in Florida Gas Pipeline; and (iii) the tax impact of a decrease in the deferred state tax rate as a result of the drop-down of our 50% ownership interests in EPNG and EP midstream assets. These decreases are partially offset by state income taxes and the amortization of the deferred charge recorded as a result of the August 2012 and March 2013 drop-down transactions to KMP.