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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Our quarterly provision for income taxes is measured using an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items within periods presented. The comparison of our effective tax rate between periods is significantly impacted by the level and mix of earnings and losses by tax jurisdiction, foreign income tax rate differentials and amount of permanent book-to-tax differences.
The income tax provision for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was $28 million at an effective tax rate of 27.8%, compared to $5 million at an effective tax rate of 6.3% for the same period in 2011. The increase in the effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 was primarily due to non-recurring favorable tax examination settlements in 2011. The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $75 million at an effective tax rate of 25.2%, compared to $72 million at an effective tax rate of 24.0% for the same period in 2011. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 was primarily due to mix of earnings by jurisdiction.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
We recognize tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.
The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at September 30, 2012 was $7 million which, if ultimately recognized, will reduce our annual effective tax rate. We do not believe that the unrecognized tax benefits will significantly change within the next twelve months.
We classify interest relating to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of other non-operating income, net and tax penalties as a component of income tax expense in our Condensed Consolidated and Combined Income Statements. As of September 30, 2012, we had less than $1 million of interest accrued for unrecognized tax benefits.