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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes

10. Income Taxes

Income Tax Provision

In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, the principal method established for computing the provision for income taxes in interim periods requires us to make our best estimate of the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full year. This estimated effective tax rate is then applied to interim consolidated pre-tax operating income to determine the interim provision for income taxes.

The effective tax rate, which is the provision for income taxes as a percentage of income from continuing operations before income taxes, was 26.7% for the second quarter of 2013, 25.8% for the first quarter of 2013, and 19.2% for the second quarter of 2012. The effective tax rates are below our combined federal and state statutory tax rate of 37.2%, due primarily to income from investments in tax-advantaged assets such as corporate-owned life insurance and credits associated with investments in low-income housing projects. Our effective rate was lower during the second quarter of 2012 due to the early termination of certain leverage leases that resulted in nontaxable gains pursuant to a prior settlement with the IRS.

Deferred Tax Asset

At June 30, 2013, from continuing operations, we had a federal deferred tax asset of $197 million and a state deferred tax asset of less than $1 million compared to a federal deferred tax asset of $129 million and a state deferred tax liability of $8 million at December 31, 2012, and a federal net deferred tax asset of $111 million and a state deferred tax liability of $22 million at June 30, 2012, included in “accrued income and other assets” on the balance sheet. To determine the amount of deferred tax assets that are more-likely-than-not to be realized, and therefore recorded, we conduct a quarterly assessment of all available evidence. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, taxable income in prior periods, projected future taxable income, and projected future reversals of deferred tax items. These assessments involve a degree of subjectivity and may undergo change. Based on these criteria, we have a valuation allowance of $2 million at June 30, 2013, and $3 million at December 31, 2012, associated with certain state net operating loss carryforwards and state credit carryforwards. We did not have a valuation allowance at June 30, 2012.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As permitted under the applicable accounting guidance for income taxes, it is our policy to recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.