v2.4.1.9
Income Taxes Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Consolidated Income Tax Expense
The consolidated income tax expense consists of the following for the years ended December 31 ($ in millions):
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Current provision:
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
225

 
$
121

 
$
47

State and local
13

 
6

 
(4
)
Total current provision
238

 
127

 
43

Deferred provision
(42
)
 
(20
)
 
4

Total provision for income taxes
$
196

 
$
107

 
$
47

Reconciliation Of The Tax Provision At The U.S. Federal Statutory Rate To The Provision For Income Taxes
The reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. Federal Statutory Rate to the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31 is as follows ($ in millions):
 
2014
 
2013
 
2012
Earnings from continuing operations, before income tax expense
$
457


$
269


$
123

(Earnings) loss attributable to flow through noncontrolling interest
4

 
(1
)
 
2

Earnings from continuing operations, less noncontrolling interest, before income tax expense
461

 
268

 
125

 
 
 


 
 
Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate
162

 
94

 
44

State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
6

 
3

 
(2
)
Nondeductible compensation
1

 
12

 
1

Benefit from reversal of prior years impact of 162(m)(6) regulations
(14
)
 

 

ACA Health Insurer Fee
44

 

 

Nondeductible goodwill impairment

 

 
8

Other, net
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
(4
)
Income tax expense
$
196

 
$
107

 
$
47

Tax Effects Of Temporary Differences Which Give Rise To Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities
The tax effects of temporary differences which give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented below for the years ended December 31 ($ in millions):
 
2014
 
2013
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Medical claims liability
$
27

 
$
20

Accrued expenses
11

 
5

Net operating loss carryforward
21

 
16

Compensation accruals
53

 
31

Premium and related receivables
35

 
20

Other
9

 
16

Deferred tax assets
156

 
108

Valuation allowance
(12
)
 
(8
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
144

 
$
100

 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Intangible assets
$
25

 
$
18

Prepaid assets
6

 
6

Depreciation and amortization
26

 
30

Other
4

 
2

Deferred tax liabilities
61

 
56

 
 
 
 
Net deferred tax assets
$
83

 
$
44

Reserve For Uncertain Tax Positions

As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company maintained reserves for uncertain tax positions of $4 million and $3 million, respectively, that may be challenged by a tax authority.