NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. At December 31, 2018, American had approximately $10.6 billion of federal NOLs carried over from prior taxable years (NOL Carryforwards) to reduce future federal taxable income, substantially all of which American expects to be available for use in 2019. American is a member of AAG’s consolidated federal and certain state income tax returns. The amount of federal NOL Carryforwards available in those returns is $10.2 billion, substantially all of which is expected to be available for use in 2019. The federal NOL Carryforwards will expire beginning in 2022 if unused. American also had approximately $3.1 billion of NOL Carryforwards to reduce future state taxable income at December 31, 2018, which will expire in years 2019 through 2038 if unused. American’s ability to deduct its NOL Carryforwards and to utilize certain other available tax attributes can be substantially constrained under the general annual limitation rules of Section 382 where an “ownership change” has occurred. Substantially all of American’s remaining federal NOL Carryforwards attributable to US Airways Group are subject to limitation under Section 382; however, American’s ability to utilize such NOL Carryforwards is not anticipated to be effectively constrained as a result of such limitation. American elected to be covered by certain special rules for federal income tax purposes that permitted approximately $9.5 billion (with $8.6 billion of unlimited NOL still remaining at December 31, 2018) of its federal NOL Carryforwards to be utilized without regard to the annual limitation generally imposed by Section 382. Similar limitations may apply for state income tax purposes. American’s ability to utilize any new NOL Carryforwards arising after the ownership changes is not affected by the annual limitation rules imposed by Section 382 unless another future ownership change occurs. Under the Section 382 limitation, cumulative stock ownership changes among material stockholders exceeding 50% during a rolling three-year period can potentially limit a company’s future use of NOLs and tax credits. See Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors –  “Our ability to utilize our NOL Carryforwards may be limited”  for unaudited additional discussion of this risk. At December 31, 2018, American had an AMT credit carryforward of approximately $452 million available for federal income tax purposes, which is now expected to be fully refundable over the next several years as a result of the repeal of corporate AMT. In 2018, American recorded an income tax provision of $534 million, with an effective rate of approximately 24%, which was substantially non- cash. American’s income tax provision included an $18 million special income tax charge related to an international income tax matter. Substantially all of American’s income before income taxes is attributable to the United States. American is part of the AAG consolidated income tax return. American files its tax returns as prescribed by the tax laws of the jurisdictions in which it operates. American’s 2015 through 2017 tax years are still subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Various state and foreign jurisdiction tax years remain open to examination and American is under examination, in administrative appeals, or engaged in tax litigation in certain jurisdictions. American believes that the effect of any assessments will not be material to its consolidated financial statements. The amount of, and changes to, American’s uncertain tax positions were not material in any of the years presented. American accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and operating expense, respectively. The 2017 Tax Act was enacted on December 22, 2017. The 2017 Tax Act is the most comprehensive tax change in more than 30 years. American has completed its evaluation of the 2017 Tax Act and American has reflected the impact of its effects, including the impact of lower corporate income tax rates (21% vs. 35%) on its deferred tax assets and liabilities and the one-time transition tax on earnings of certain foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred. For the year ended December 31, 2017, American recognized a special income tax provision of $924 million to reflect these impacts of the 2017 Tax Act. American’s economic prospects are heavily dependent upon two variables it cannot control: the health of the economy and the price of fuel. Due to the discretionary nature of business and leisure travel spending and the highly competitive nature of the airline industry, American’s revenues are heavily influenced by the condition of the U.S. economy and economies in other regions of the world. Unfavorable conditions in these broader economies have resulted, and may result in the future, in decreased passenger demand for air travel, changes in booking practices and related reactions by American’s competitors, all of which in turn have had, and may have in the future, a negative effect on American’s business. In addition, during challenging economic times, actions by its competitors to increase their revenues can have an adverse impact on American’s revenues. American’s operating results are materially impacted by changes in the availability, price volatility and cost of aircraft fuel, which represents one of the largest single cost items in American’s business. Market prices for jet fuel have fluctuated substantially over the past several years and prices continue to be highly volatile. Because of the amount of fuel needed to 6. Risk Management 155