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Income Taxes
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
(6) Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax expense at an effective rate of 50.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2012, as compared to an effective rate of 52.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The 2012 rate was favorably impacted by a change in the overall mix of earnings, primarily an increase to non-U.S. income. The 50.9% effective tax rate was higher than the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% and we currently expect an annual effective tax rate to be between the low to mid-forty percent range, due primarily to the impact of the mix of U.S. and non-U.S. earnings, valuation allowances, other permanent items, repatriations from non-U.S. entities and the French Business Tax. Excluding the impact of the French Business Tax, our tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 would have been approximately 38%.

As of March 31, 2012, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $30.0. We had related tax benefits of $3.6, and the net amount of $26.4 would favorably affect the effective tax rate if recognized. As of December 31, 2011, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $27.0. We had related tax benefits of $3.6 for a net amount of $23.4. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.
 
We conduct business globally and, as a result, we are routinely audited by the various tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Generally, the tax years that remain subject to tax examination are 2009 through 2011 for our major operations in Germany, Italy, France, Japan, U.S. and United Kingdom. As of March 31, 2012, we are subject to tax audits in France, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Norway, Spain, and the U.S. We believe that the resolution of these audits will not have a material impact on earnings.