XML 52 R13.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
(6) Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax expense at an effective rate of 41.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to an effective rate of 45.9% for the three months ended September 30, 2011. The 2012 tax rate is lower than the 2011 rate due to the impact of tax benefits resulting from restructuring of operations. The 41.9% effective tax rate was higher than the U.S. Federal statutory rate of 35% and we currently expect the annual effective tax rate to be in the 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 and the French business tax. Excluding the impact of the French business tax, our tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 would have been approximately 30% and 36%, respectively. The 2012 tax rate, excluding the French business tax, is lower than the 2011 rate due to the impact of the tax benefits resulting from restructuring of operations.

We recorded an income tax expense at an effective rate of 47.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to an effective rate of 47.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The 2012 tax rate is lower than the 2011 rate due to the impact of tax benefits resulting from the restructuring of operations. Excluding the impact of the discrete items, which relate to reorganization costs described further in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, and the French business tax, our tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011 would have been approximately 34% and 37%, respectively. The 2012 tax rate, excluding the discrete items and French business tax, is lower than the 2011 rate due to the impact of the tax benefits resulting from restructuring of operations.

As of September 30, 2012, we had gross unrecognized tax benefits related to various tax jurisdictions, including interest and penalties, of $25.8. We had related tax benefits of $2.8, and the net amount of $23.0 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. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we closed the U.S. tax examination for our 2008 and 2009 tax years without a significant impact. 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. We are currently subject to tax audits in France, Belgium, Denmark, Austria, Italy, Norway, and Spain. We believe that the resolution of these audits will not have a material impact on earnings.