What was your tax bill in 2014? Chances are, Verizon’s was higher.
The company has just filed its latest 10-K with the SEC, and the 241-page document is filled with disclosures large and small.
Ever wanted to know Verizon’s headquarters address, phone number, where the company was incorporated, its IRS ID number, how many shares of Verizon stock are outstanding, or on which exchanges its stock is registered?
All that information is on Page 1 alone.
Other fast facts about Verizon:
- In 2014, Verizon paid $7.2 billion in taxes. This includes $4.1 billion paid in 2014 for income taxes, $1.3 billion for employment taxes, and $1.8 billion in property and other taxes. (Note 13)
- In 2014, Verizon invested $17.2 billion in network infrastructure, placing the company as one of the top private investors in U.S. technology. This investment has totaled more than $50 billion over the past three years. (See “Capital Expenditures” on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows)
- Approximately 177,300 employees and 209,000 retirees are eligible to participate in Verizon’s benefit plans. (Page 19)
- Verizon has 19 principal subsidiaries. (Exhibit 21)
- $100 invested in Verizon stock at year-end 2009 would have been worth $194.20 at year-end 2014. (Stock Performance Graph)
The upshot? Verizon is one of the largest taxpayers and investors in America.
Some studies use statistics cherry-picked from the same 10-Ks that report Verizon’s multi-billion tax payments to misrepresent the company’s effective tax rate. These studies ignore information disclosed in the 10-K explaining that Vodafone’s minority interest in Verizon Wireless and certain pension accounting rules artificially lower Verizon’s effective tax rate. When this information is properly considered, Verizon’s effective tax rate is in excess of 30%.
Additionally, some wrongly cite Congressionally sanctioned “bonus depreciation” as a tax loophole, even though this tax policy does not reduce Verizon’s tax payments or liabilities. This U.S. economic development policy only defers federal tax payments for companies that invest in America’s technology infrastructure.
Interested in a shorter version of this type of information about Verizon? View or download the company’s Fact Sheet -- just one page, front and back -- with key year-end 2014 statistics and information about products and services.
