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Income Tax Expense
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2022
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Tax Expense [Text Block] INCOME TAX EXPENSE
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 20222021
Millions  
Current Income Tax Expense (a)
  
Federal— — 
State$0.1 — 
Total Current Income Tax Expense$0.1 — 
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit)  
Federal (b)
$(8.6)$(14.1)
State4.83.9
Investment Tax Credit Amortization(0.2)(0.2)
Total Deferred Income Tax Benefit$(4.0)$(10.4)
Total Income Tax Benefit$(3.9)$(10.4)
(a)For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the federal and state current tax expense was minimal due to NOLs which resulted from the bonus depreciation provisions of certain tax legislation. Federal and state NOLs are being carried forward to offset current and future taxable income.
(b)For the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, the federal income tax benefit is primarily due to production tax credits.

The Company's tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of its annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items arising in that quarter. In each quarter, the Company updates its estimate of the annual effective tax rate and if the estimated annual effective tax rate changes, the Company would make a cumulative adjustment in that quarter.
NOTE 8. INCOME TAX EXPENSE (Continued)

Three Months Ended
Reconciliation of Taxes from Federal StatutoryMarch 31,
Rate to Total Income Tax Expense20222021
Millions  
Income Before Income Taxes$42.6 $33.0 
Statutory Federal Income Tax Rate21 %21 %
Income Taxes Computed at Statutory Federal Rate$8.9 $6.9 
Increase (Decrease) in Income Tax Due to:
State Income Taxes (Credit) – Net of Federal Income Tax Benefit3.9 3.1 
Production Tax Credits(17.6)(18.6)
Regulatory Differences – Excess Deferred Tax(3.8)(3.2)
Non-Controlling Interest in Subsidiaries3.8 1.8 
Share-Based Compensation0.5 0.5 
Other0.4 (0.9)
Total Income Tax Benefit$(3.9)$(10.4)

For the three months ended March 31, 2022, the effective tax rate was a benefit of 9.2 percent (benefit of 31.5 percent for the three months ended March 31, 2021). The effective tax rate for 2022 and 2021 was primarily impacted by production tax credits.

Uncertain Tax Positions. As of March 31, 2022, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $1.3 million ($1.3 million as of December 31, 2021). Of the total gross unrecognized tax benefits, $0.6 million represents the amount of unrecognized tax benefits included on 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 has no open federal or state audits, and is no longer subject to federal examination for years before 2019, or state examination for years before 2018.