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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES:

The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was 58.0% and 34.9%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% primarily due to the income tax benefit for excess percentage depletion. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2016 differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to the income tax benefit for excess percentage depletion, partially offset by a charge to record a state valuation allowance resulting from the Buchanan sale.

The total amount of uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $9,103. If these uncertain tax positions were recognized, approximately $666 would affect CONSOL Energy's effective tax rate at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016. There was no change to the unrecognized tax benefits during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
CONSOL Energy recognizes accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions in interest expense. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company reported an accrued interest liability relating to uncertain tax positions of $385 and $305, respectively, in Other Liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The accrued interest liability includes $80 of accrued interest expense that is reflected in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017.
CONSOL Energy recognizes penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in its income tax expense. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, CONSOL Energy had no accrued liabilities for tax penalties related to uncertain tax positions.
CONSOL Energy and its subsidiaries file federal income tax returns with the United States and tax returns within various states and Canadian jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to United States federal, state, local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2010. The Company expects the Joint Committee on Taxation to conclude its review of the audit of tax years 2010 through 2014 in the third quarter of 2017.