Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Income Taxes

v3.3.1.900
Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

(12)Income Taxes

 

Income tax benefit (expense) consists of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

    

2013

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(191)

 

(157)

 

(97)

 

State and local

 

 

(26)

 

(32)

 

(26)

 

Foreign

 

 

(74)

 

(110)

 

(82)

 

 

 

$

(291)

 

(299)

 

(205)

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal

 

$

(67)

 

59

 

(19)

 

State and local

 

 

8

 

(23)

 

47

 

Foreign

 

 

8

 

5

 

(6)

 

 

 

 

(51)

 

41

 

22

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

$

(342)

 

(258)

 

(183)

 

 

 

The following table presents a summary of our domestic and foreign earnings from continuing operations before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

    

2013

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Domestic

 

$

1,111

 

676

 

575

 

Foreign

 

 

142

 

160

 

162

 

Total

 

$

1,253

 

836

 

737

 

 

 

Income tax benefit (expense) differs from the amounts computed by applying the U.S. federal income tax rate of 35% as a result of the following:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

    

2013

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Computed expected tax benefit (expense)

 

$

(439)

 

(293)

 

(258)

 

State and local income taxes, net of federal income taxes

 

 

(24)

 

(7)

 

(15)

 

Foreign taxes, net of foreign tax credits

 

 

(4)

 

(2)

 

(7)

 

Sale of consolidated subsidiary

 

 

 —

 

14

 

 —

 

Impairment of intangible assets not deductible for tax purposes

 

 

 —

 

(3)

 

(2)

 

Dividends received deductions

 

 

56

 

10

 

9

 

Alternative energy tax credits

 

 

61

 

58

 

54

 

Change in valuation allowance affecting tax expense

 

 

6

 

(2)

 

(27)

 

Impact of change in state rate on deferred taxes

 

 

(7)

 

(28)

 

66

 

Other, net

 

 

9

 

(5)

 

(3)

 

Income tax benefit (expense)

 

$

(342)

 

(258)

 

(183)

 

Income tax expense was lower than the U.S. statutory tax rate of 35% in 2015 due to the receipt of taxable dividends that are subject to a dividends received deduction. During 2014 and 2013, Liberty changed its estimate of the effective state tax rate used to measure its net deferred tax liabilities, based on expected changes to the Company’s state apportionment factors. The change in 2014 was caused by the sale of a consolidated subsidiary (Provide) on December 31, 2014.  The change in state apportionment factors during 2013 also changed the potential utilization of the Company’s state net operating loss carryforwards, which resulted in a valuation allowance being recorded for certain state net operating loss carryforwards that may expire unused. In both years, the rate change required an adjustment to the recognized deferred taxes at the corporate level. During 2015, 2014 and 2013, Liberty offset federal tax liabilities with tax credits derived from its alternative energy investments.

 

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred income tax assets and deferred income tax liabilities are presented below:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net operating and capital loss carryforwards

 

$

99

 

90

 

Foreign tax credit carryforwards

 

 

72

 

88

 

Accrued stock compensation

 

 

83

 

41

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

165

 

181

 

Other future deductible amounts

 

 

163

 

96

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

582

 

496

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

(48)

 

(54)

 

Net deferred tax assets

 

 

534

 

442

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investments

 

 

883

 

703

 

Intangible assets

 

 

1,788

 

1,284

 

Discount on exchangeable debentures

 

 

1,148

 

1,009

 

Deferred gain on debt retirements

 

 

193

 

257

 

Other

 

 

24

 

10

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

4,036

 

3,263

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

$

3,502

 

2,821

 

 

The Company's valuation allowance decreased $6 million in 2015.  The entire change in valuation allowance affected tax expense.

 

At December 31, 2015, Liberty had net operating losses (on a tax effected basis) and foreign tax credit carryforwards for income tax purposes aggregating approximately $99 million and $72 million, respectively, which  will begin to expire in 2020 and beyond if not utilized to reduce domestic, state or foreign income tax liabilities in future periods.  These net operating losses and foreign tax credit carryforwards are expected to be utilized prior to expiration, except for $48 million of net operating losses which based on current projections of domestic, state and foreign income may expire unused. 

 

A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Years ended December 31,

 

 

    

2015

    

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

amounts in millions

 

Balance at beginning of year

 

$

136

 

124

 

122

 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 

 

14

 

16

 

19

 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

 

 

 —

 

20

 

1

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 

 

(12)

 

(3)

 

(3)

 

Lapse of statute and settlements

 

 

(34)

 

(21)

 

(15)

 

Balance at end of year

 

$

104

 

136

 

124

 

 

As of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 the Company had recorded tax reserves of $104 million, $136 million and $124 million, respectively, related to unrecognized tax benefits for uncertain tax positions.  If such tax benefits were to be recognized for financial statement purposes, $47 million, $68 million and $84 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, would be reflected in the Company's tax expense and affect its effective tax rate.  Liberty's estimate of its unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions requires a high degree of judgment. The Company has tax positions for which the amount of related unrecognized tax benefits could change during 2016. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits related to these issues could change as a result of potential settlements, lapsing of statute of limitations and revisions of estimates.  It is reasonably possible that the amount of the Company's gross unrecognized tax benefits may increase within the next twelve months by up to $5 million.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company's tax years prior to 2012 are closed for federal income tax purposes, and the IRS has completed its examination of the Company's 2012 and 2013 tax year.  The Company's tax loss carryforwards from its 2011 through 2014 tax years are still subject to adjustment.  The Company's 2014 and 2015 tax years are being examined currently as part of the IRS's Compliance Assurance Process ("CAP") program.  Various states are currently examining the Company's prior years state income tax returns.  QVC is currently under audit in the U.K., Germany and Italy.  The Company received an assessment related to an examination in Germany.  The Company believes that any amounts ultimately paid in connection with that assessment will be creditable against its U.S. federal income tax liability.     

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had recorded $17 million of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.