NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Table of Contents

For the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006

($Cdn thousands except per share amounts and as noted)

17. Income Taxes

The significant components of future income tax assets and liabilities at December 31 are as follows:

  2007  2006 
Assets    
Property, plant and equipment
$ 201,560  $ 173,774 
Provision for reclamation
78,335  65,234 
Foreign exploration and development
46,389  31,144 
Other
65,060  37,031 
Future income tax assets before valuation allowance
391,344  307,183 
Valuation allowance
(113,092) (128,771)
Future income tax assets, net of valuation allowance
$ 278,252  $ 178,412 
Liabilities    
Property, plant and equipment
$ 473,734  $ 502,579 
Inventories
19,601  18,935 
Long-term investments and other
116,506  42,638 
Future income tax liabilities
$ 609,841  $ 564,152 
Net future income tax liabilities
$ 331,589  $ 385,740 
Less current portion
(84,653) (46,289)
  $ 246,936  $ 339,451 

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the combined expected federal and provincial income tax rate to earnings before income taxes. The reasons for these differences are as follows:

  2007  2006 
Earnings before income taxes and minority interest $ 465,932  $ 345,426 
Combined federal and provincial tax rate
35.7% 39.3%
Computed income tax expense 166,338  135,752 
Increase (decrease) in taxes resulting from:    
Reduction in income tax rates
(18,036) (66,749)
Provincial royalties and other taxes
1,240  1,092 
Federal and provincial resource allowance
(492) (6,617)
Manufacturing and processing deduction
(5,112) (5,719)
Difference between Canadian rate and rates applicable to subsidiaries in other countries
(187,328) (133,988)
Restructuring of gold business
40,156  – 
Change in valuation allowance
(4,827) 19,126 
Capital and other taxes
1,938  2,296 
Stock-based compensation plans
(306) 6,700 
Recovery of taxes due to amendment of tax treatment
–  (16,950)
Other permanent differences
35,897  (3,786)
Income tax expense (recovery) $ 29,468  $ (68,843)

In 2007, the federal government introduced amendments to the Canadian Income Tax Act that provide for a 4% reduction in the general corporate income tax rate. The federal tax rate will decline in 2012 from 19% to 15%. This legislation was substantively enacted in 2007.

Under Canadian accounting rules, the cumulative effect of a change in income tax legislation on future income tax assets and liabilities is included in a company's financial statements in the period of substantive enactment. Accordingly, Cameco reduced its balance sheet provision for future income taxes and recognized a non-cash income tax adjustment of $25,400,000 in 2007.

During 2006, the federal and provincial governments enacted amendments to current tax legislation, which provided for a reduction in corporate tax rates. The cumulative effect of the change in income tax legislation on Cameco's future income tax liability was a reduction of $73,000,000.

  2007  2006 
Earnings before income taxes and minority interest        
Canada
$ (297,519) $ (17,703)
Foreign
  763,451    363,129 
  $ 465,932  $ 345,426 
 
Current income taxes        
Canada
$ 99,066  $ 91,730 
Foreign
  64,531    24,066 
  $ 163,597  $ 115,796 
Future income taxes (recovery)        
Canada
$ (126,303) $ (167,189)
Foreign
  (7,826)   (17,450)
  $ (134,129) $ (184,639)
Income tax expense (recovery) $ 29,468  $ (68,843)

Other comprehensive income included on the consolidated statements of shareholders' equity and the consolidated statements of comprehensive income is presented net of income taxes. The following income tax amounts are included in each component of other comprehensive income.

  2007  2006 
Net gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges $ 92,860  $ – 
Net gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges transferred to net earnings (28,104) – 
Unrealized losses on assets available-for-sale (1,152) – 
Total income tax expense included in OCI $ 63,604  $