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Income Tax Expense
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Expense [Abstract]  
Income Tax Expense [Text Block]
INCOME TAX EXPENSE
 
 
Quarter Ended
 
Nine Months Ended
 
 
September 30,
 
September 30,
 
 
2014
 
2013
 
2014
 
2013
Millions
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Current Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal (a)(c)
 
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

State (b)(c)
 
$1.8
 
$(0.1)
 
$1.9
 
$(0.1)
Total Current Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
$1.8
 
$(0.1)
 
$1.9
 
$(0.1)
Deferred Tax Expense (Benefit)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Federal
 

$11.2

 

$7.3

 

$20.4

 

$15.5

State
 
0.7

 
1.7

 
5.4

 
5.5

Investment Tax Credit Amortization
 
(0.3
)
 
(0.2
)
 
(0.6
)
 
(0.6
)
Total Deferred Tax Expense
 
11.6

 
8.8

 
25.2

 
20.4

Total Income Tax Expense
 

$13.4

 

$8.7

 

$27.1

 

$20.3

(a)
For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the federal current tax expense of zero reflected the utilization of NOL carryforwards from prior periods. The federal NOLs remaining after utilization in 2014 will be carried forward to offset future taxable income.
(b)
For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the state current tax expense reflected initiatives implemented on the 2013 federal and state tax returns to utilize tax carryforwards that may have expired due to NOL carryforwards from prior periods. State NOL and alternative minimum tax carryforwards remaining after utilization in 2014 will be carried forward to offset future income.
(c)
For the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the state current tax benefit was due to federal and state NOLs which resulted from the bonus depreciation provision of the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, the effective tax rate was 22.7 percent (22.1 percent for the nine months ended September 30, 2013). The effective tax rate deviated from the statutory rate of approximately 41 percent primarily due to deductions for AFUDC–Equity, investment tax credits, production tax credits and depletion.
NOTE 11.  INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Continued)

Uncertain Tax Positions. As of September 30, 2014, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $2.0 million ($1.2 million as of December 31, 2013). Of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits, $0.3 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet that, if recognized, would favorably impact the effective income tax rate. The unrecognized tax benefit amounts have been presented as reductions to the tax benefits associated with NOL and tax credit carryforwards on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.

ALLETE and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return as well as combined and separate state income tax returns in various jurisdictions. ALLETE is no longer subject to federal examination for years before 2011, or state examination for years before 2005.

In September 2013, the U.S. Treasury issued final regulations addressing the tax consequences associated with the acquisition, production and improvement of tangible property. The regulations are generally effective for tax years beginning January 1, 2014. As ALLETE has adopted certain utility-specific guidance for deductible repairs previously issued by the IRS, the final regulation did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.