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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract] 
Income Taxes
8.   Income taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 was $(73.2) million and $(77.0) million, respectively, compared with $(28.7) million and $(112.8) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010. Due to the effects of the deferred tax valuation allowance and changes in unrecognized tax benefits, the Company's income tax expense (benefit) is not directly correlated to the amount of pretax income (loss). The income tax expense (benefit) for the periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 resulted primarily from the favorable resolution of certain federal and state income tax matters.

The Company had income taxes receivable of $79.4 million and $81.3 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively, which generally related to outstanding federal and state tax refunds from amended returns and net operating loss carrybacks.

In accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes," the Company evaluates its deferred tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had net deferred tax assets of $2.5 billion and $2.6 billion, respectively, which were offset entirely by valuation allowances due to the uncertainty of realizing such deferred tax assets. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of taxable income during future periods. Changes in existing tax laws could also affect actual tax results and the valuation of deferred tax assets over time. The accounting for deferred taxes is based upon an estimate of future results. Differences between the estimated and actual results could have a material impact on the Company's consolidated results of operations or financial position. To the extent that the Company's results of operations improve, the deferred tax asset valuation allowance may be reduced, which could result in a non-cash tax benefit.

 

As a result of the Company's merger with Centex, the Company's ability to use certain of Centex's pre-ownership net operating losses and built-in losses or deductions is limited under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. The Company's Section 382 limitation is approximately $67.4 million per year for net operating losses, losses realized on built-in loss assets that are sold within 60 months of the ownership change, and certain deductions. The limitation may result in a significant portion of Centex's pre-ownership change net operating loss carryforwards, built-in losses, and certain deductions not being available for use by the Company.

At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had $181.1 million and $258.0 million, respectively, of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $42.5 million and $48.4 million, respectively, of accrued penalties and interest. The decreases in unrecognized tax benefits and accrued interest and penalties were primarily due to the favorable resolution of certain federal and state income tax matters. The Company is currently under examination by the IRS and various state taxing jurisdictions and anticipates finalizing certain of the examinations within the next twelve months. The final outcome of those examinations is not yet determinable. It is reasonably possible, within the next twelve months, that the Company's unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by $35.2 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to expirations of certain statutes of limitations and potential settlements. The statutes of limitations for the Company's major tax jurisdictions remain open for examination for tax years 1998-2011.