v2.3.0.15
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Oct. 30, 2011
Notes to financial statements [Abstract] 
Income Taxes
– Income Taxes

We recognized income tax expense of $26.5 million and $73.8 million for the three and nine months ended October 30, 2011, respectively and $18.7 million and $3.8 million for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2010, respectively.  Income tax expense as a percentage of income before taxes, or our effective tax rate, was 13.0% and 13.7% for the three and nine months ended October 30, 2011, respectively and 18.1% and 4.4% for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2010, respectively. 
Our effective tax rate on income before tax for the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 of 13.7% was lower than the United States federal statutory rate of 35.0% due primarily to income earned in jurisdictions where the tax rate is lower than the United States federal statutory tax rate.  Further, our annual projected effective tax rate as of the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 of 15.2% differs from our effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 of 13.7% due to favorable discrete events that occurred in the first nine months of fiscal year 2012 primarily attributable to the expiration of statutes of limitations in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions for which we had not previously recognized related tax benefits. 
Our effective tax rate on income before tax for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 of 4.4% was lower than the United States federal statutory rate of 35.0% primarily due to income earned in jurisdictions where the tax rate is lower than the United States federal statutory tax rate and the significant impact of certain discrete tax events that occurred during this time. Our annual projected effective tax rate as of the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 was 18.8% and differs from our effective tax rate for the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 of 4.4% due to favorable discrete events that occurred in the first nine months of fiscal year 2011 primarily attributable to the expiration of statutes of limitations in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions for which we had not previously recognized related tax benefits.  
As of October 30, 2011, we recorded unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $28.1 million of which $16.1 million is in connection with the acquisition of Icera and $12.0 million is related to income tax positions taken in various jurisdictions. The $28.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits recorded as of October 30, 2011 consists of $8.1 million recorded in non-current income tax payable and $20.0 million reflected as a reduction to the related deferred tax assets. Additionally, we recognized tax benefits related to the expiration of statutes of limitations in certain non-U.S. jurisdictions in the nine months ended October 30, 2011 of approximately $7.5 million.  There have been no other significant changes to our unrecognized tax benefits and any related interest or penalties from our fiscal year ended January 30, 2011.  For the nine months ended October 30, 2011, there have been no material changes to our tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions. 
While we believe that we have adequately provided for all uncertain tax positions, amounts asserted by tax authorities could be greater or less than our accrued position. Accordingly, our provisions on federal, state and foreign tax related matters to be recorded in the future may change as revised estimates are made or the underlying matters are settled or otherwise resolved with the respective tax authorities. As of October 30, 2011, we do not believe that our estimates, as otherwise provided for, on such tax positions will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months.