Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes
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3 Months Ended | ||
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Mar. 31, 2012
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Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes [Abstract] | |||
Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes |
The Company applies the accounting guidance related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes. This guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and a measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. For those benefits to be recognized, a tax position must be more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. At March 31, 2012, we had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $15.7 million (which includes $8.6 million of benefits which would favorably impact our effective tax rate upon recognition). As of March 31, 2011, we had a liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $16.2 million primarily related to foreign operations. In addition, the Company recognizes interest and penalties that could be applied to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had approximately $8.7 million and $8.4 million, respectively, of accrued interest and penalties that could be applied to uncertain tax positions.
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