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Alternative Energy Tax Credits | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2013
Alternative Energy Tax Credits | 14. Alternative Energy Tax Credits The Company generates black liquor as a by-product of its pulp manufacturing process, which entitled it to certain federal income tax credits. When black liquor is mixed with diesel, it is considered an alternative fuel that was eligible for a $0.50 per gallon refundable alternative fuel mixture credit for gallons produced before December 31, 2009. Black liquor is also eligible for a $1.01 per gallon taxable cellulosic biofuel producer credit for gallons of black liquor produced and used in 2009. In an Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) memorandum released in 2010, the IRS concluded that a black liquor producer may claim the alternative fuel mixture credit and the cellulosic biofuel producer credit in the same taxable year for different volumes of black liquor (the same gallon of fuel cannot receive both credits but can be claimed as either an alternative fuel mixture credit or a cellulosic biofuel producer credit). During 2010, the IRS released guidance related to the alternative energy credits which resulted in: (1) reallocation of gallons of black liquor from the alternative fuel mixture credit to the cellulosic biofuel credit; and (2) the determination that the Company’s proprietary biofuel process at its Filer City, Michigan mill would likely qualify for the cellulosic biofuel producer credit. The Company amended its 2009 federal income tax return in December 2010 to claim the additional Filer City gallons, resulting in $107.0 million of cellulosic biofuel producer credits. In addition, the Company recorded in 2010 a reserve for unrecognized tax benefits under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” of $102.0 million (net of the federal benefit for state taxes) because the IRS guidelines do not specifically address the unique and proprietary nature of the Filer City mill process and uncertainty exists. On February 3, 2012, PCA again amended its 2009 federal tax return to reallocate claimed gallons from cellulosic biofuel producer credits to alternative fuel mixture credits. As a result of this change, the Company recorded a charge of $118.5 million in “Provision for income taxes” and income of $95.5 million in “Alternative fuel mixture credits,” together resulting in a first quarter 2012 net non-cash, after–tax charge of $23.0 million. The cellulosic biofuel producer credit is a taxable credit. However, the laws governing the taxability of the alternative fuel mixture credit are not completely defined. The IRS has not issued definitive guidance regarding such taxability. PCA believes that the manner in which the credit was claimed will not subject the Company to federal or state income taxes on such benefits. If it is determined that any of the alternative fuel mixture credits are subject to taxation, PCA will be required to pay those taxes and take a corresponding charge to its net income. During March of 2011, the IRS began its review of PCA’s 2008 and 2009 federal income tax returns including the alternative energy tax credits claimed. Due to the anticipated conclusion of this audit, PCA expects the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits for the Filer City mill alternative energy tax credits to change significantly by the end of 2013. PCA estimates the change in the reserve for unrecognized tax benefits to be between $0 and $105.0 million. As of September 30, 2013, PCA had no alternative energy tax credits available to offset future tax payments.

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- Definition Provides disclosures pertaining to the alternative fuel mixture and cellulosic biofuel producer tax credits. + References No definition available. + Details
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