Note 11. Income Taxes

The components of income before income taxes are as follows:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
	(In thousands)
Domestic	$	172,612	$	290	$	284,501
Foreign	22,072		25,485		4,272
Total income before income taxes	$	194,684	$	25,775	$	288,773

The components of the benefit (provision) for income taxes are as follows:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Current benefit (provision):
Federal	$	21,086		$	(26,450	)	$	21,542
State	1,943			(291		)	(579		)
Foreign	(7,775		)	(3,734		)	(1,809		)
Total current benefit (provision)	15,254			(30,475		)	19,154
Deferred benefit (provision):
Federal	7,841			(464		)	(96,976		)
State	(6,720		)	9,438			(6,593		)
Foreign	(46		)	—			—
Total deferred benefit (provision)	1,075			8,974			(103,569		)
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	$	16,329		$	(21,501	)	$	(84,415	)

The actual tax provisions for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 reconcile to the amounts computed by applying the statutory federal tax rate to income before income taxes as shown below:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2012		2011		2010
Statutory rate	(35.0	)%	(35.0	)%	(35.0	)%
State income taxes, net of Federal benefit	(0.8	)%	4.8	%	(1.9	)%
Dividend received deduction	1.8	%	—		—
Decrease (increase) in valuation allowance	39.0	%	(50.4	)%	2.0	%
Stock write-off	—		—		2.0	%
Other	3.4	%	(2.8	)%	3.7	%
Total income tax benefit (provision), net	8.4	%	(83.4	)%	(29.2	)%

The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:

	As of December 31,
	2012			2011
	(In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating losses, credit and other carryforwards	$	461,931		$	138,169
Unrealized losses on investments, net	14,757			8,614
Accrued expenses	26,438			23,421
Stock-based compensation	14,942			15,659
Other asset	3,076			—
Total deferred tax assets	521,144			185,863
Valuation allowance	(69,224		)	(35,729		)
Deferred tax assets after valuation allowance	451,920			150,134

Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization	(798,878		)	(492,207		)
Other liabilities	(1,682		)	(7,826		)
Total deferred tax liabilities	(800,560		)	(500,033		)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(348,640	)	$	(349,899	)

Current portion of net deferred tax assets	$	23,317		$	23,492
Noncurrent portion of net deferred tax liabilities	(371,957		)	(373,391		)
Total net deferred tax liabilities	$	(348,640	)	$	(349,899	)

Deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect the effects of tax losses, credits, and the future income tax effects of temporary differences between the consolidated financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates that apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

We evaluate our deferred tax assets for realization and record a valuation allowance when we determine that it is more likely than not that the amounts will not be realized. Overall, our net deferred tax assets were offset by a valuation allowance of $69 million and $36 million as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The change in the valuation allowance primarily relates to an increase in realized and unrealized losses that are capital in nature and an increase in the net operating loss carryforwards of certain foreign subsidiaries.

Tax benefits of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are evaluated on an ongoing basis, including a review of historical and projected future operating results, the eligible carryforward period, and other circumstances. Net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes were $1.111 billion as of December 31, 2012. A substantial portion of these net operating loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2020. Capital loss carryforwards for tax purposes were $78 million as of December 31, 2012. A substantial portion of these capital loss carryforwards will begin to expire in 2013. Currently, we have a valuation allowance against all capital loss carryforwards that exist for tax purposes. Tax credits available to offset future tax liabilities are $19 million as of December 31, 2012. A substantial portion of these tax credits will begin to expire in 2026.

Additionally, tax benefit from excess tax deductions attributable to stock-based compensation has resulted in $6 million of net operating loss carryforwards that will not be recognized as a credit to additional paid in capital until such deductions reduce taxes payable. We follow the tax law ordering rules, which assume that stock option deductions are realized when they have been used for tax purposes.

As of December 31, 2012, we had undistributed earnings attributable to foreign subsidiaries for which no provision for U.S. income taxes or foreign withholding taxes has been made because it is expected that such earnings will be reinvested outside the U.S. indefinitely. It is not practicable to determine the amount of the unrecognized deferred tax liability at this time.

Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes

In addition to filing U.S. federal income tax returns, we file income tax returns in all states that impose an income tax. As of December 31, 2012, we are currently under a U.S. federal income tax examination for fiscal year 2008. We also file income tax returns in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Brazil, India and a number of other foreign jurisdictions where we have insignificant operations. We generally are open to income tax examination in these foreign jurisdictions in taxable years beginning in 2003. As of December 31, 2012, we have no on-going significant current income tax examinations in process in our foreign jurisdictions.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized income tax benefits is as follows:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
Unrecognized tax benefit	2012			2011			2010
	(In thousands)
Balance as of beginning of period	$	48,874		$	29,999		$	14,559
Additions from Hughes Acquisition	—			3,119			—
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	158			—			—
Additions based on tax positions related to prior years	3,723			16,630			15,440
Reductions based on tax positions related to prior years	(855		)	(874		)	—
Reductions based on tax settlements	(16,587		)	—			—
Reductions based on expirations of statute of limitations	(636		)	—			—
Balance as of end of period	$	34,677		$	48,874		$	29,999

As of December 31, 2012, we had $35 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, of which $30 million, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. As of December 31, 2011, we had $49 million of unrecognized income tax benefits, of which $30 million, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate. We do not believe that the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next twelve months due to the lapse of statute of limitations or settlement with tax authorities.

Our policy related to interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions is to record them as a component of income tax expense in the accompanying statement of operations. During 2012, 2011 and 2010, we recorded an insignificant amount of interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense on the accompanying statements of operations.

Estimates of our uncertain tax positions are made based upon prior experience and are updated in light of changes in facts and circumstances. However, due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in liabilities which could be materially different from these estimates. In such an event, we will record additional income tax provision or income tax benefit in the period in which such resolution occurs.