Income Taxes (Unaudited)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2011

INCOME TAXES [Abstract]

7. INCOME TAXES

7.    INCOME TAXES

The company’s effective tax rates on income from continuing operations were 31.1 percent and 33.2 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, respectively, compared to 33.3 percent and 18.3 percent for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively. In the third quarter of 2011, the company recognized net tax benefits of $14 million, primarily due to finalizing the research and development tax credits and manufacturing deductions claimed upon filing the 2010 tax return. In the second quarter of 2010, the company received final approval from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation of the IRS’ examination of the company’s tax returns for the years 2004 through 2006. As a result of the settlement, the company recognized net tax benefits of approximately $298 million (of which $66 million was in cash), which were recorded as a reduction to the company’s provision for income taxes. In connection with the settlement, the company also reduced its liability for uncertain tax positions, including previously accrued interest, by $311 million. The company’s effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, differ from the statutory federal rate primarily due to manufacturing deductions and research and development credits, and, in 2010, for the tax settlement with the IRS.

The company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in federal and foreign income tax expense. The company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state and foreign jurisdictions. The IRS is currently conducting an examination of the company’s tax returns for the years 2007 through 2009. Open tax years related to state and foreign jurisdictions remain subject to examination, but are not considered material.