Note 13 - Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The following table reflects changes in unrecognized tax benefits for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011:

	(In thousands)
Gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits as of January 1, 2011	$	428,344
Increases related to prior period tax positions	23,286
Decreases related to prior period tax positions	(137,257		)
Increases related to current period tax positions	12,632
Settlements	(76,994		)
Gross amounts of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2011	$	250,011

As of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, our liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits were included in deferred and other tax liabilities, net. In the second quarter of 2011, we settled multiple uncertain tax positions resulting in an overall decrease in our unrecognized tax benefits. The increase in liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits for the first nine months of 2011 relate primarily to the amount of costs which qualify for the research and development credit.

We recognize interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. The amount of interest and penalties accrued as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was approximately $81.5 million and $92.3 million, respectively.

We are subject to both direct and indirect taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. We are under examination by certain tax authorities for the 2003 to 2009 tax years. We believe that adequate amounts have been reserved for any adjustments that may ultimately result from these examinations. The material jurisdictions where we are subject to potential examination by tax authorities for tax years after 2002 include, among others, the U.S. (Federal and California), France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Israel, Switzerland, Singapore and Canada.

Although the timing of the resolution and/or closure of audits is highly uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months. However, given the number of years remaining subject to examination and the number of matters being examined, we are unable to estimate the full range of possible adjustments to the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, we provided for U.S. income and foreign withholding taxes on approximately 15% of our non-U.S. subsidiaries' undistributed earnings. The remaining portion of our non-U.S. subsidiaries undistributed earnings is intended to be indefinitely reinvested in our international operations. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to U.S. income taxes (subject to adjustments for foreign tax credits). It is not practicable to determine the income tax liability that might be incurred if the indefinitely reinvested earnings were to be distributed. On a regular basis, we develop cash forecasts to estimate our cash needs internationally and domestically. We consider projected cash needs for, among other things, investments in our existing businesses, potential acquisitions and capital transactions, including repurchases of our common stock and debt repayments. We estimate the amount of cash available or needed in the jurisdictions where these investments are expected, as well as our ability to generate cash in those jurisdictions and our access to capital markets. Such an analysis enables us to conclude whether or not we will indefinitely reinvest the current period's foreign earnings.

Our effective tax rate was 20% and 15% for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, respectively, compared to 16% and 18% for the same periods in the prior year. The increase in our effective tax rate during the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period of the prior year was due primarily to an increase in the proportion of earnings generated in higher tax jurisdictions. The decrease in our effective tax rate during the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period of the prior year was due primarily to a tax benefit realized in the second quarter of 2011 associated with the loss on the divestiture of certain GSI businesses.