Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

O. In the second quarter of 2012, the Company incurred income tax expense of $30 million on a pre-tax loss from continuing operations of $19 million and for the first half of 2012 the effective tax rate was 100 percent. The unusual 2012 tax rate is primarily due to losses in certain jurisdictions providing no tax benefit, including the charge for the settlement of the Columbus Drywall case, and an increase in the valuation allowance related to net operating losses. The effective tax rate for the first half of 2012 includes a $21 million state income tax benefit resulting from the decrease in the liability for uncertain tax positions primarily from the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions and certain audit closings.

As a result of tax audit closings, settlements and expiration of applicable statutes of limitations in various jurisdictions within the next 12 months, the Company anticipates that it is reasonably possible that the liability for uncertain tax positions could be reduced by approximately $6 million.