Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

(1) Income Taxes

The Company follows authoritative guidance surrounding accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and applicable penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  The Company had approximately $25.5 million and $21.7 million of unrecorded tax benefits at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, all of which would impact the Company’s effective tax rate if recognized. 

In addition to its U.S. federal tax return, the Company files income tax returns in various state and foreign jurisdictions.  The number of years that are open under the statute of limitations and subject to audit varies depending on the tax jurisdiction.  The Company remains subject to U.S. federal tax examinations for yearsafter 2008.