Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income taxes Our income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $(10.7) million and $(15.1) million, respectively, compared with $(73.2) million and $(77.0) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 resulted primarily from the favorable resolution of certain federal and state income tax matters. Due to the effects of changes in unrecognized tax benefits and the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets, our effective tax rates in 2012 and 2011 are not correlated to the amount of pretax income or loss. We had income taxes receivable of $28.3 million and $27.2 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which related primarily to amended federal and state income tax returns. In accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"), the Company evaluates its deferred tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had net deferred tax assets of $2.5 billion. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient 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. Based on our evaluation, we fully reserved the net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realizing such deferred tax assets. 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 our consolidated results of operations or financial position. We continue to analyze all available positive and negative evidence in determining the continuing need for a valuation allowance. This evaluation considers, among other factors, historical operating results, forecasts of future profitability, and the duration of statutory carryforward periods. One of the primary pieces of negative evidence we consider is the significant losses we have incurred in recent years. Other negative evidence includes ongoing weakness in the overall U.S. economy and uncertainties regarding the future demand for new housing. However, we earned a profit before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and have seen significant increases in new orders, backlog, and home sale gross margin. If current business trends continue, including continued improvements in the homebuilding industry, and we continue to be profitable, we believe that there could be sufficient positive evidence to support reducing a large portion of the valuation allowance during 2013. As a result of our merger with Centex in August 2009, our ability to use certain of Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Section 382 limitation is approximately $67.4 million per year for NOLs, losses realized on built-in loss assets that are sold within 60 months of the ownership change (i.e. before August 2014), and certain deductions. We do not believe that the Section 382 limitation will prevent the Company from using Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions. At September 30, 2012, we had $168.1 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $33.6 million of accrued interest and penalties. We are currently under examination by the IRS and various state taxing jurisdictions and anticipate finalizing certain of the examinations within the next twelve months. The final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable. It is reasonably possible, within the next twelve months, that unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $27.8 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to expirations of certain statutes of limitations and potential settlements. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for tax years 2003 to 2012.

Income taxes

Our income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 was $(10.7) million and $(15.1) million, respectively, compared with $(73.2) million and $(77.0) million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively. The income tax benefit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 resulted primarily from the favorable resolution of certain federal and state income tax matters. Due to the effects of changes in unrecognized tax benefits and the valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets, our effective tax rates in 2012 and 2011 are not correlated to the amount of pretax income or loss.

We had income taxes receivable of $28.3 million and $27.2 million at September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which related primarily to amended federal and state income tax returns.

In accordance with ASC 740, "Income Taxes" ("ASC 740"), the Company evaluates its deferred tax assets to determine if a valuation allowance is required. At September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, we had net deferred tax assets of $2.5 billion. The ultimate realization of these deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of sufficient 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. Based on our evaluation, we fully reserved the net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realizing such deferred tax assets. 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 our consolidated results of operations or financial position.

We continue to analyze all available positive and negative evidence in determining the continuing need for a valuation allowance. This evaluation considers, among other factors, historical operating results, forecasts of future profitability, and the duration of statutory carryforward periods. One of the primary pieces of negative evidence we consider is the significant losses we have incurred in recent years. Other negative evidence includes ongoing weakness in the overall U.S. economy and uncertainties regarding the future demand for new housing. However, we earned a profit before income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and have seen significant increases in new orders, backlog, and home sale gross margin. If current business trends continue, including continued improvements in the homebuilding industry, and we continue to be profitable, we believe that there could be sufficient positive evidence to support reducing a large portion of the valuation allowance during 2013.

As a result of our merger with Centex in August 2009, our ability to use certain of Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions is limited by Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Section 382 limitation is approximately $67.4 million per year for NOLs, losses realized on built-in loss assets that are sold within 60 months of the ownership change (i.e. before August 2014), and certain deductions. We do not believe that the Section 382 limitation will prevent the Company from using Centex’s pre-ownership change NOL carryforwards and built-in losses or deductions.

At September 30, 2012, we had $168.1 million of gross unrecognized tax benefits and $33.6 million of accrued interest and penalties. We are currently under examination by the IRS and various state taxing jurisdictions and anticipate finalizing certain of the examinations within the next twelve months. The final outcome of these examinations is not yet determinable. It is reasonably possible, within the next twelve months, that unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $27.8 million, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to expirations of certain statutes of limitations and potential settlements. The statute of limitations for our major tax jurisdictions remains open for examination for tax years 2003 to 2012.