v3.25.4
Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2025
Income Taxes [Line Items]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
Presented in the following table is the difference between actual income tax expense on continuing operations and income tax expense computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate:
In Millions, Except Tax Rate
AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Income from continuing operations before income taxes$1,248 $1,123 $954 
Income tax expense at statutory rate262 21.0 %236 21.0 %200 21.0 %
Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:   
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect1
77 6.2 58 5.1 40 4.2 
Tax credits
Renewable energy tax credits(68)(5.4)(71)(6.4)(55)(5.8)
Other(6)(0.5)(6)(0.5)(7)(0.7)
Nontaxable or nondeductible items0.2 0.4 0.3 
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits0.7 0.2 (11)(1.2)
Other adjustments
TCJA excess deferred taxes(42)(3.4)(43)(3.8)(40)(4.2)
Deferred tax adjustment2
— — (16)(1.4)— — 
Taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests15 1.2 12 1.1 17 1.8 
Other, net(4)(0.3)— — — — 
Income tax expense$246 $176 $147 
Effective tax rate19.7 %15.7 %15.4 %
In Millions, Except Tax Rate
AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
Years Ended December 31202520242023
Consumers
Income from continuing operations before income taxes$1,417 $1,209 $1,028 
Income tax expense at statutory rate298 21.0 %254 21.0 %216 21.0 %
Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:   
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect1
80 5.7 60 5.0 47 4.6 
Tax credits
Renewable energy tax credits(46)(3.2)(51)(4.2)(43)(4.2)
Other(6)(0.4)(6)(0.5)(7)(0.7)
Nontaxable or nondeductible items0.2 0.2 0.3 
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits0.6 0.1 (12)(1.2)
Other adjustments
TCJA excess deferred taxes
(42)(3.0)(43)(3.6)(40)(3.9)
Deferred tax adjustment2
— — (16)(1.3)— — 
Other, net(8)(0.6)(2)(0.2)(3)(0.2)
Income tax expense$288 $200 $161 
Effective tax rate20.3 %16.5 %15.7 %
1In June 2025, state deferred tax balances were increased by $12 million to reflect a change in Illinois tax policy that establishes nexus for Consumers. The policy change is effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. During 2023, CMS Energy initiated a plan to divest immaterial business activities in a non-Michigan jurisdiction and will no longer have a taxable presence within that jurisdiction. As a result of these actions, CMS Energy reversed a $13 million non-Michigan reserve, all of which was recognized at Consumers.
2During 2024, Consumers recognized a $16 million tax benefit resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations associated with audit points for the 2018 and 2019 tax years.
Summary of Significant Components of Income Tax Expense
Presented in the following table are the significant components of income tax expense on continuing operations:
In Millions
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Current income taxes
Federal$34 $34 $
State and local— 
$43 $34 $
Deferred income taxes
Federal107 70 107 
State and local100 76 38 
$207 $146 $145 
Deferred income tax credit(4)(4)(4)
Tax expense$246 $176 $147 
Consumers
Current income taxes
Federal$207 $78 $
State and local33 
$240 $85 $
Deferred income taxes
Federal(27)51 117 
State and local79 68 43 
$52 $119 $160 
Deferred income tax credit(4)(4)(4)
Tax expense$288 $200 $161 
Summary of Income Taxes Paid
Presented in the following table are income taxes paid:
In Millions
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Federal $28 $27 $15 
State — 
Total$29 $28 $15 
Consumers
Federal $189 $57 $23 
State 21 — 
Total$210 $57 $31 
Summary of Principal Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the following table are the principal components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) recognized:
In Millions
December 3120252024
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Deferred income tax assets
Net regulatory tax liability$294 $307 
Tax loss and credit carryforwards139 258 
Reserves and accruals16 27 
Total deferred income tax assets$449 $592 
Valuation allowance(2)(1)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance$447 $591 
Deferred income tax liabilities
Plant, property, and equipment$(2,833)$(2,682)
Employee benefits(558)(507)
Gas inventory(24)(38)
Securitized costs(137)(167)
Other(147)(122)
Total deferred income tax liabilities$(3,699)$(3,516)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities$(3,252)$(2,925)
Consumers
Deferred income tax assets
Net regulatory tax liability$294 $307 
Tax loss and credit carryforwards18 37 
Reserves and accruals13 24 
Total deferred income tax assets$325 $368 
Deferred income tax liabilities
Plant, property, and equipment$(2,808)$(2,658)
Employee benefits(534)(489)
Gas inventory(24)(38)
Securitized costs(137)(167)
Other(23)(69)
Total deferred income tax liabilities$(3,526)$(3,421)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities$(3,201)$(3,053)
Summary of Loss And Credit Carryforwards
Presented in the following table are the tax loss and credit carryforwards at December 31, 2025:
In Millions
Tax AttributeExpiration
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Michigan net operating loss carryforwards$15 2030 – 2033
Arkansas net operating loss carryforwards2033 - 2035
Local net operating loss carryforwards2025 – 2040
General business credits1
120 2038 – 2045
Total tax attributes$139 
Consumers
Michigan net operating loss carryforwards$10 2030 – 2033
General business credits1
2038 – 2045
Total tax attributes$18 
1General business credits comprise research and development tax credits and renewable energy tax credits that are not expected to be transferred to third parties.
Schedule of Reconciliation of Uncertain Tax Benefits
Presented in the following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of uncertain tax benefits:
In Millions
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Balance at beginning of period$24 $26 $28 
Additions for current-year tax positions
Additions for prior-year tax positions— 
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations(4)(5)(3)
Balance at end of period$29 $24 $26 
Consumers
Balance at beginning of period$32 $36 $36 
Additions for current-year tax positions
Additions for prior-year tax positions
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations(4)(11)(3)
Balance at end of period$36 $32 $36 
Consumers Energy Company  
Income Taxes [Line Items]  
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
Presented in the following table is the difference between actual income tax expense on continuing operations and income tax expense computed by applying the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate:
In Millions, Except Tax Rate
AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Income from continuing operations before income taxes$1,248 $1,123 $954 
Income tax expense at statutory rate262 21.0 %236 21.0 %200 21.0 %
Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:   
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect1
77 6.2 58 5.1 40 4.2 
Tax credits
Renewable energy tax credits(68)(5.4)(71)(6.4)(55)(5.8)
Other(6)(0.5)(6)(0.5)(7)(0.7)
Nontaxable or nondeductible items0.2 0.4 0.3 
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits0.7 0.2 (11)(1.2)
Other adjustments
TCJA excess deferred taxes(42)(3.4)(43)(3.8)(40)(4.2)
Deferred tax adjustment2
— — (16)(1.4)— — 
Taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests15 1.2 12 1.1 17 1.8 
Other, net(4)(0.3)— — — — 
Income tax expense$246 $176 $147 
Effective tax rate19.7 %15.7 %15.4 %
In Millions, Except Tax Rate
AmountPercentAmountPercentAmountPercent
Years Ended December 31202520242023
Consumers
Income from continuing operations before income taxes$1,417 $1,209 $1,028 
Income tax expense at statutory rate298 21.0 %254 21.0 %216 21.0 %
Increase (decrease) in income taxes from:   
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax effect1
80 5.7 60 5.0 47 4.6 
Tax credits
Renewable energy tax credits(46)(3.2)(51)(4.2)(43)(4.2)
Other(6)(0.4)(6)(0.5)(7)(0.7)
Nontaxable or nondeductible items0.2 0.2 0.3 
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits0.6 0.1 (12)(1.2)
Other adjustments
TCJA excess deferred taxes
(42)(3.0)(43)(3.6)(40)(3.9)
Deferred tax adjustment2
— — (16)(1.3)— — 
Other, net(8)(0.6)(2)(0.2)(3)(0.2)
Income tax expense$288 $200 $161 
Effective tax rate20.3 %16.5 %15.7 %
1In June 2025, state deferred tax balances were increased by $12 million to reflect a change in Illinois tax policy that establishes nexus for Consumers. The policy change is effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2026. During 2023, CMS Energy initiated a plan to divest immaterial business activities in a non-Michigan jurisdiction and will no longer have a taxable presence within that jurisdiction. As a result of these actions, CMS Energy reversed a $13 million non-Michigan reserve, all of which was recognized at Consumers.
2During 2024, Consumers recognized a $16 million tax benefit resulting from the expiration of the statute of limitations associated with audit points for the 2018 and 2019 tax years.
Summary of Significant Components of Income Tax Expense
Presented in the following table are the significant components of income tax expense on continuing operations:
In Millions
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Current income taxes
Federal$34 $34 $
State and local— 
$43 $34 $
Deferred income taxes
Federal107 70 107 
State and local100 76 38 
$207 $146 $145 
Deferred income tax credit(4)(4)(4)
Tax expense$246 $176 $147 
Consumers
Current income taxes
Federal$207 $78 $
State and local33 
$240 $85 $
Deferred income taxes
Federal(27)51 117 
State and local79 68 43 
$52 $119 $160 
Deferred income tax credit(4)(4)(4)
Tax expense$288 $200 $161 
Summary of Income Taxes Paid
Presented in the following table are income taxes paid:
In Millions
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Federal $28 $27 $15 
State — 
Total$29 $28 $15 
Consumers
Federal $189 $57 $23 
State 21 — 
Total$210 $57 $31 
Summary of Principal Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities
Presented in the following table are the principal components of deferred income tax assets (liabilities) recognized:
In Millions
December 3120252024
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Deferred income tax assets
Net regulatory tax liability$294 $307 
Tax loss and credit carryforwards139 258 
Reserves and accruals16 27 
Total deferred income tax assets$449 $592 
Valuation allowance(2)(1)
Total deferred income tax assets, net of valuation allowance$447 $591 
Deferred income tax liabilities
Plant, property, and equipment$(2,833)$(2,682)
Employee benefits(558)(507)
Gas inventory(24)(38)
Securitized costs(137)(167)
Other(147)(122)
Total deferred income tax liabilities$(3,699)$(3,516)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities$(3,252)$(2,925)
Consumers
Deferred income tax assets
Net regulatory tax liability$294 $307 
Tax loss and credit carryforwards18 37 
Reserves and accruals13 24 
Total deferred income tax assets$325 $368 
Deferred income tax liabilities
Plant, property, and equipment$(2,808)$(2,658)
Employee benefits(534)(489)
Gas inventory(24)(38)
Securitized costs(137)(167)
Other(23)(69)
Total deferred income tax liabilities$(3,526)$(3,421)
Total net deferred income tax liabilities$(3,201)$(3,053)
Summary of Loss And Credit Carryforwards
Presented in the following table are the tax loss and credit carryforwards at December 31, 2025:
In Millions
Tax AttributeExpiration
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Michigan net operating loss carryforwards$15 2030 – 2033
Arkansas net operating loss carryforwards2033 - 2035
Local net operating loss carryforwards2025 – 2040
General business credits1
120 2038 – 2045
Total tax attributes$139 
Consumers
Michigan net operating loss carryforwards$10 2030 – 2033
General business credits1
2038 – 2045
Total tax attributes$18 
1General business credits comprise research and development tax credits and renewable energy tax credits that are not expected to be transferred to third parties.
Schedule of Reconciliation of Uncertain Tax Benefits
Presented in the following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of uncertain tax benefits:
In Millions
Years Ended December 31202520242023
CMS Energy, including Consumers
Balance at beginning of period$24 $26 $28 
Additions for current-year tax positions
Additions for prior-year tax positions— 
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations(4)(5)(3)
Balance at end of period$29 $24 $26 
Consumers
Balance at beginning of period$32 $36 $36 
Additions for current-year tax positions
Additions for prior-year tax positions
Reductions for lapse of statute of limitations(4)(11)(3)
Balance at end of period$36 $32 $36