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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

NOTE 10 – INCOME TAXES

As of March 31, 2012, the Company had $213 million accrued for unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would affect the Company's effective tax rate if recognized. Additionally, the Company had $36 million accrued for interest and penalties as of March 31, 2012. At December 31, 2011, the liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $206 million and the accrual for interest and penalties was $35 million. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax of multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for all tax years through 2001. Additionally, substantially all material foreign, state and local income tax matters have been concluded for all tax years through 2004. The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) completed an audit of the Company's 2002 through 2005 tax returns and proposed adjustments in its audit report issued in November 2008. The IRS completed an audit of the Company's 2006 and 2007 tax returns and proposed adjustments in its audit report issued in March 2011. The Company is vigorously defending its positions and initiated defense at the IRS appellate level in January 2009 for the 2002 through 2005 adjustments and in May 2011 for the 2006 through 2007 adjustments. An unfavorable outcome could have a material negative impact on the Company's effective income tax rate in future periods. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change in the next 12 months from both cash payments and/or adjustments to previously recorded income tax reserves primarily due to potential resolution of ongoing income tax authority examinations. As the final outcome of these matters is inherently uncertain, the Company is not able to reasonably estimate the amount by which the liability for unrecognized tax benefits will increase or decrease during the next 12 months.