HCA · 10-Q · 2026Q3 · Full report

Income Tax Rate Changes

HCA Healthcare, Inc. · 2026-10-29 · Importance 18 · Surprise 14

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2026 increased to 24.8% from 23.9% in the third quarter of 2025. HCA attributed the quarterly increase primarily to lower deductible share-based compensation for vested employee equity awards and other nondeductible items. For the first nine months of 2026, the effective tax rate was 23.6%, compared with 23.9% a year earlier. The nine-month tax provision included a $110 million benefit from employee equity award settlements, versus a $45 million benefit in the prior-year period.

Key facts

• HCA’s first-nine-months 2026 income tax provision included a $110 million tax benefit related to employee equity award settlements, versus $45 million in 2025. source
• Third-quarter 2026 effective tax rate was 24.8%, compared with 23.9% in third-quarter 2025; the increase was primarily related to lower deductible share-based compensation and other nondeductible items. source
• First-nine-months 2026 effective tax rate was 23.6%, compared with 23.9% in 2025. source