v3.8.0.1
Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Consolidated Income Tax Expense
The consolidated income tax expense consists of the following for the years ended December 31 ($ in millions):
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Current provision
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
$
421

 
$
485

 
$
332

State and local
14

 
22

 
26

Total current provision
435

 
507

 
358

Deferred provision
(109
)
 
92

 
(19
)
Total income tax expense
$
326

 
$
599

 
$
339

Reconciliation Of Tax Provision At The U.S. Federal Statutory Rate To Income Tax Expense
The reconciliation of the tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate to income tax expense for the years ended December 31 is as follows ($ in millions):
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
Earnings from continuing operations, before income tax expense
$
1,134


$
1,157


$
697

(Earnings) loss attributable to flow through noncontrolling interest
15

 
(8
)
 
1

Earnings from continuing operations, less noncontrolling interest, before income tax expense
1,149

 
1,149

 
698

 
 
 


 
 
Tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate
402

 
402

 
244

State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit
11

 
10

 
15

Nondeductible compensation
58

 
23

 
2

ACA Health Insurer Fee

 
162

 
75

Income Tax Reform
(125
)
 

 

Other, net
(20
)
 
2

 
3

Income tax expense
$
326

 
$
599

 
$
339

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):
 
2017
 
2016
Deferred tax assets:
 
 
 
Medical claims liability
$
46

 
$
66

Nondeductible liabilities
41

 
39

Net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards
94

 
101

Compensation accruals
129

 
156

Premium and trade receivables
45

 
79

Other
11

 
14

Deferred tax assets
366

 
455

Valuation allowance
(81
)
 
(86
)
Net deferred tax assets
$
285

 
$
369

 
 
 
 
Deferred tax liabilities:
 
 
 
Intangible assets
$
342

 
$
577

Prepaid assets
23

 
17

Fixed assets
84

 
65

Investments in joint ventures
20

 
11

Deferred revenue
26

 

Other
17

 
2

Deferred tax liabilities
512

 
672

Net deferred tax assets (liabilities)
$
(227
)
 
$
(303
)
Summary of Reserve for Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company maintains a reserve for uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by a tax authority. A rollforward of the beginning and ending amount of uncertain tax positions, exclusive of related interest and penalties, is as follows:
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2017
 
2016
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of period
$
102

 
$
5

Gross increases:
 
 
 
Current year tax positions
43

 
6

Prior year tax positions
113

 
93

Gross decreases:
 
 
 
Prior year tax positions

 
(1
)
Statute of limitation lapses
(1
)
 
(1
)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits, end of period
$
257

 
$
102