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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
INCOME TAXES

 We are required to adjust our effective tax rate each quarter to consistently estimate our annual effective tax rate.  We must also record the tax impact of certain discrete items, unusual or infrequently occurring, including changes in judgment about valuation allowances and effects of changes in tax laws or rates, in the interim period in which they occur.  In addition, jurisdictions with a projected loss for the year or a year-to-date loss where no tax benefit can be recognized 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, based upon the mix and timing of actual earnings versus annual projections.

Income tax expense (benefit) was expense of $1.7 million in the three months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to a benefit of $0.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011.  Our effective income tax rate was 25.9% in the second quarter of 2012 as compared to negative 0.5% in the second quarter of 2011.  

Income tax expense (benefit) was expense of $3.9 million in the first six months of 2012 as compared to expense of $1.9 million in the first six months of 2011.  Our effective income tax rate was 6.6% in the first six months of 2012 as compared to 2.2% in the first six months of 2011

Our income tax expense and effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 reflect the effect of recognizing a net operating loss benefit against our taxable income in the U.S. Our income tax expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2012 also reflects a net tax expense of $1.3 million related to the amendment of state income tax returns as a result of the settlement of federal income tax audits for the tax years 2004 through 2007.

Our income tax expense (benefit) and effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 reflect the effect of recognizing a net operating loss benefit against our taxable income in the U.S. Our income tax expense (benefit) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2011 also reflects net tax benefits of $2.8 million relating to the favorable resolution of income tax audits and the reversal of state deferred tax liabilities due to newly enacted Michigan tax legislation.