INCOME TAXES
Farmer Mac is subject to federal corporate income taxes but is exempt from state and local corporate income taxes. The components of the federal corporate income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 were as follows:

Table 9.1
 For the Year Ended December 31,
  202520242023
  (in thousands)
Current income tax expense$59,371 $54,687 $46,712 
Deferred income tax expense(11,075)(3,777)6,386 
Income tax expense$48,296 $50,910 $53,098 

A reconciliation of income tax at the statutory federal corporate income tax rate to the income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023 is as follows:

Table 9.2
 For the Year Ended December 31,
  202520242023
Amount
Percent
AmountPercentAmountPercent
  (dollars in thousands)
U.S. Federal Statutory Tax Rate$53,699 21.0 %$54,201 21.0 %$53,151 21.0 %
Tax Credits
Renewable Energy Investment Tax Credits (4,791)(1.9)%(2,627)(1.0)%— — %
Other Tax Credits
(869)(0.3)%(633)(0.3)%(305)(0.1)%
Nontaxable or Nondeductible Items257 0.1 %(31)— %252 0.1 %
Income tax expense$48,296 18.9 %$50,910 19.7 %$53,098 21.0 %
The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:

Table 9.3
 As of December 31,
  20252024
  (in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:  
Basis difference related to hedge items$120,907 $136,589 
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities1,711 12,441 
Allowance for losses8,331 5,310 
Compensation and Benefits2,506 1,779 
Stock-based compensation3,261 3,014 
Other5,789 5,887 
Total deferred tax assets$142,505 $165,020 
Deferred tax liability:  
Basis differences related to financial derivatives$120,446 $135,528 
Unrealized gains on cash flow hedges5,268 9,212 
Basis difference related to structured securitizations16,420 18,726 
Other198 10 
Total deferred tax liability$142,332 $163,476 
Net deferred tax asset$173 $1,544 

As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, Farmer Mac did not identify any uncertain tax positions.

Farmer Mac did not have any unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.

Tax years 2022 through 2025 remain subject to examination.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 19, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 21, 2025
2023Feb 23, 2024
2022Feb 24, 2023
2021Feb 28, 2022
2020Feb 25, 2021
2019Feb 25, 2020
2018Feb 21, 2019
2017Mar 8, 2018
2016Mar 9, 2017
2015Mar 10, 2016

About Income Taxes Disclosures

The income tax disclosure reveals how much a company actually pays in taxes versus what the statutory rate would predict. Analysts focus on the effective tax rate (ETR) reconciliation, which breaks down every item driving the gap between the 21% federal rate and the company's reported ETR — including R&D credits, foreign rate differentials, and state taxes. Deferred tax assets (DTAs) and their valuation allowances signal management's confidence in future profitability: a rising allowance suggests the company doubts it can use accumulated tax benefits. Uncertain tax benefit (UTB) reserves quantify exposure to IRS challenges on aggressive positions.

Key signals to watch: sudden ETR drops without clear operational reasons, large increases in valuation allowances, growing UTB balances, and significant unremitted foreign earnings. Post-TCJA, pay attention to GILTI and BEAT provisions that affect multinational tax structures. Compare the cash taxes paid (from the cash flow statement) against the income tax provision to gauge earnings quality.