Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

9.     Income Taxes

Income tax expense from continuing operations increased primarily due to certain losses from continuing operations being generated in jurisdictions where no tax benefit can be recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared with the three months ended March 31, 2011. The effective income tax rate related to continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 18.1% compared with 24.7% for the three months ended March 31, 2011.  The effective income tax rate changed primarily due to certain losses in jurisdictions where no tax benefit can be recognized.  This resulted in income tax expense despite an overall loss from continuing operations.

An income tax benefit from an uncertain tax position may be recognized when it is more-likely-than-not that the position will be sustained upon examination, including resolutions of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on technical merits.  The unrecognized income tax benefit at March 31, 2012 was $44.2 million including interest and penalties.  Within the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that up to $5.2 million of such amount will be recognized upon settlement of tax examinations and the expiration of various statutes of limitations.