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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract] 
Income Taxes

(11) INCOME TAXES

We estimate our annual effective tax rate at the end of each quarterly period, and we record the tax effect of certain discrete items, which are unusual or occur infrequently, in the interim period in which they occur, including changes in judgment about deferred tax valuation allowances. In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year, jurisdictions with a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized, and jurisdictions where we are unable to estimate an annual effective tax rate are excluded from the estimated annual effective tax rate. The impact of such an exclusion could result in a higher or lower effective tax rate during a particular quarter depending on the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for both the expected impact of differences between the financial statement amount and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and for the expected future tax benefit to be derived from tax losses and tax credit carry forwards. We record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets when it is considered more likely than not that all or a portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. In making this determination, we are required to give significant weight to evidence that can be objectively verified. It is generally difficult to conclude that a valuation allowance is not needed when there is significant negative evidence, such as cumulative losses in recent years. Forecasts of future taxable income are considered to be less objective than past results, particularly in light of the economic environment. Therefore, cumulative losses weigh heavily in the overall assessment. Based on the assumptions and requirements noted above, we have recorded a valuation allowance against most of our U.S. deferred tax assets. In addition, we expect to provide a valuation allowance on future U.S. tax benefits until we can sustain a level of profitability or until other significant positive evidence arises that suggest that these benefits are more likely than not to be realized.

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded approximately $55 million of additional net deferred tax liabilities related to the PopCap acquisition. These additional deferred tax liabilities create a new source of taxable income, thereby requiring us to release a portion of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance with a related reduction in income tax expense of $55 million.

The tax benefit reported for the three and six months ended September 30, 2011 is based on our projected annual effective tax rate for fiscal year 2012, and also includes certain discrete tax benefits recorded during the period. Our effective tax rates for the three and six months ended September 30, 2011 were a tax benefit of 10.5 percent and 20.7 percent, respectively, compared to a tax benefit of 7.7 percent and 16.0 percent for the same periods of fiscal 2011. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2011 differs from the statutory rate of 35.0 percent primarily due to the utilization of U.S. deferred tax assets which were subject to a valuation allowance, a reduction in the U.S. valuation allowance related to the PopCap acquisition, and non-U.S. profits subject to a reduced or zero tax rate. The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended September 30, 2011 differs from the same period in fiscal year 2011 primarily due to greater tax benefits recorded in fiscal year 2012 related to the reduction of the U.S. valuation allowance for the PopCap acquisition.

During the three and six months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a net increase of $3 million and $8 million, respectively in gross unrecognized tax benefits. The total gross unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2011 is $281 million, of which approximately $43 million is offset by prior cash deposits to tax authorities for issues pending resolution. A portion of our unrecognized tax benefits will affect our effective tax rate if they are recognized upon favorable resolution of the uncertain tax positions. As of September 30, 2011, if recognized, approximately $140 million of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect our effective tax rate and approximately $128 million would result in adjustments to deferred tax assets with corresponding adjustments to the valuation allowance.

During the three months ended September 30, 2011, we recorded a net increase in taxes of $1 million for accrued interest and penalties related to tax positions taken on our tax returns. As of September 30, 2011, the combined amount of accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions included in income tax obligations on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet was approximately $24 million.

The IRS has completed its examination of our federal income tax returns through fiscal year 2005, and is currently examining our fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008 tax returns. We are also currently under income tax examination in Canada for fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and in France for fiscal years 2006 through 2008. We remain subject to income tax examination for several other jurisdictions including Canada for fiscal years after 2001, in France for fiscal years after 2008, in Germany for fiscal years after 2007, in the United Kingdom for fiscal years after 2009, and in Switzerland for fiscal years after 2007.

On January 18, 2011, we received a Corporation Notice of Reassessment (the "Notice") from the Canada Revenue Agency ("CRA") claiming that we owe additional taxes, plus interest and penalties, for the 2004 and 2005 tax years. The incremental tax liability asserted by the CRA is $44 million, excluding interest and penalties. The Notice primarily relates to transfer pricing in connection with the reimbursement of costs for services rendered to our U.S. parent company by one of our subsidiaries in Canada. We do not agree with the CRA's position and we have filed a Notice of Objection with the appeals department of the CRA. We do not believe the CRA's position has merit and accordingly, we have not adjusted our liability for uncertain tax positions as a result of the Notice. If, upon resolution, we are required to pay an amount in excess of our liability for uncertain tax positions for this matter, the incremental amounts due would result in additional charges to income tax expense. In determining such charges, we would consider the impact of any correlative relief we may obtain in the form of additional tax deductions in the U.S.

The timing of the resolution of income tax examinations is highly uncertain, and the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year. Although potential resolution of uncertain tax positions involve multiple tax periods and jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that a reduction of up to $60 million of the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits may occur within the next 12 months, some of which, depending on the nature of the settlement or expiration of statutes of limitations, may affect our income tax provision (benefit) and therefore benefit the resulting effective tax rate. The actual amount could vary significantly depending on the ultimate timing and nature of any settlements.