Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

14. INCOME TAXES: The effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2012 was favorably impacted by a non-cash out-of-period adjustment related to the recognition of a deferred tax asset related to state tax credit carryforwards and the adjustment of tax expense to previously filed returns amounting to $12.6 million. These out-of-period items did not have a material impact on the current or any previously reported periods. Nucor has concluded U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2006. The years 2004 and 2007 are open to the extent net operating losses were carried back. The 2008 to 2011 tax years are open to examination by the Internal Revenue Service. In 2011 the Canada Revenue Agency completed an audit examination for the periods 2006 to 2008 for Harris Steel Group Inc. and subsidiaries with immaterial adjustments to the income tax returns. The tax years 2008 through 2011 remain open to examination by other major taxing jurisdictions to which Nucor is subject (primarily Canada and other state and local jurisdictions).