“The tax benefits were definitely factored into how Chevron valued Hess,” said Donald Williamson, an accounting professor at American University’s Kogod School of Business. “When you combine the companies, we have the greater U.S. income, and we can use those net operating losses,” he said. The bottom line effect, when that loss limit is multiplied by the U.S. federal tax rate of 21%, is extra cash flow that could top $400 million a year. “There’s a strong and appropriate case to increase the corporate income tax rate.”Last year, corporate tax revenue totaled a record $425 billion, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Over the past decade, Chevron's current U.S. federal tax expense has averaged $40 million a year.

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Persons: Dado Ruvic, Hess, ”, Donald Williamson, “, Pierre Breber, Williamson, Jim Seida, Jean Ross, Exxon, Darren Woods, ” Woods, Tim McLaughlin, Marguerita Choy Organizations: Chevron, Hess, REUTERS, Kogod School of Business, Internal Revenue Service, U.S, University of Notre Dame, Center for American Progress, Congressional, Graphics, Exxon Mobil, Pioneer Resources, Exxon, Reuters, Boston College, Thomson Locations: U.S, Chevron