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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
Income tax expense for continuing operations consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
(In millions)
Current:
Federal$298 $349 $297 
State59 55 40 
Total current357 404 337 
Deferred:
Federal47 (28)(66)
State6 (3)— 
Total deferred53 (31)(66)
Income tax expense$410 $373 $271 
A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to the combined effective income tax rate for continuing operations is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
Statutory federal tax rate21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %
State income provision, net of federal benefit3.2 2.8 3.0 
Nondeductible compensation1.1 1.4 1.8 
Other0.5 0.3 (0.3)
Effective tax rate25.8 %25.5 %25.5 %
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are classified as non-current. Significant components of our deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 were as follows:
December 31,
20242023
(In millions)
Accrued expenses and reserve liabilities$99 $94 
Other accrued medical costs25 26 
Net operating losses5 7 
Unearned premiums2 19 
Lease liabilities79 87 
Unrealized losses18 26 
Fixed assets and intangibles32 24 
Tax credit carryover5 5 
Other13 6 
Valuation allowance(19)(24)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance 259 270 
Right-of-use assets(26)(29)
Prepaid expenses (26)(14)
Total deferred income tax liabilities (52)(43)
Net deferred income tax asset$207 $227 
At December 31, 2024, we had state net operating loss carryforwards of $39 million, which begin expiring in 2037 with some having an indefinite carryforward period, and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of $6 million, which
begin expiring in 2032. Additionally, as of December 31, 2024, we had foreign tax credit carryovers of $5 million, which expire in 2030.
We evaluate the need for a valuation allowance taking into consideration the ability to carry back and carry forward tax credits and losses, available tax planning strategies and future income, including reversal of temporary differences. We have determined that as of December 31, 2024, $19 million of deferred tax assets did not satisfy the recognition criteria. Therefore, we decreased our valuation allowance by $5 million, from $24 million at December 31, 2023, to $19 million as of December 31, 2024.
We recognize tax benefits only if the tax position is more likely than not to be sustained. We are subject to income taxes in the United States, Puerto Rico, and numerous state jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of tax audits. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.
The roll forward of our unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
202420232022
(In millions)
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at beginning of period$(5)$(5)$(15)
Lapse in statute of limitations— — 10 
Gross unrecognized tax benefits at end of period$(5)$(5)$(5)
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rates is $5 million at December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022. We expect that during the next 12 months it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefit liabilities may decrease by $5 million due to resolution of a state refund claim. The state refund claim will not result in a cash payment for income taxes if our claim is denied.
Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Amounts accrued for the payment of interest and penalties as of December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were insignificant.
We may be subject to examination by the IRS for calendar years after 2020. With a few exceptions, which are immaterial in the aggregate, we no longer are subject to state, local, and Puerto Rico tax examinations for years before 2019.