Income Taxes
For federal income tax purposes, distributions to stockholders are characterized as ordinary dividends, capital gain distributions, or return of capital distributions. Return of capital distributions will reduce stockholders’ basis in their shares, but not below zero. The portion of the distribution that exceeds the adjusted basis of the stock will be treated as gain from the sale or exchange of property. The following table shows the character of the distributions the Company paid on a percentage basis:
For the Year Ended December 31,
Character of Distributions202520242023
Ordinary dividends52 %62 %70 %
Capital gain distributions— %— %21 %
Return of capital distributions48 %38 %%
100 %100 %100 %

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 19, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 20, 2025
2023Feb 22, 2024
2022Feb 23, 2023
2021Feb 23, 2022
2020Feb 25, 2021
2019Feb 27, 2020
2018Mar 14, 2019
2017Mar 15, 2018

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.