XML 45 R12.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.19.3
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes

Income taxes are calculated for NEP as a single taxpaying corporation for U.S. federal and state income taxes (based on its election to be taxed as a corporation). NEP recognizes in income its applicable ownership share of U.S. income taxes due to the disregarded tax status of substantially all of the U.S. projects under NEP OpCo. Prior to the sale of Canadian Holdings in June 2018, NEP's former Canadian subsidiaries were all Canadian taxpayers, and therefore NEP recognized in income all of the Canadian taxes. Net income or loss attributable to noncontrolling interests includes minimal U.S. taxes and NEER's applicable ownership share of Canadian taxes.

The effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was approximately 7% and 7%, respectively, and was primarily affected by taxes attributable to the noncontrolling interests of approximately $38 million and $80 million, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the effective tax rate was approximately 12% and 3%, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the disposal of Canadian Holdings (see Note 10 - Disposal of Canadian Holdings) resulted in an overall tax benefit of approximately $47 million. The benefit resulted from the removal of the historical Canadian deferred tax liabilities of approximately $69 million offset by U.S. tax expense of $22 million related to the gain. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, NEP recorded an income tax charge of approximately $20 million related to the $231 million adjustment to differential membership interests as a result of the change in federal corporate income taxes due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that became effective January 1, 2018 (see Note 10 - Noncontrolling Interests).