Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2011

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

11. Income Taxes

The balance of “unrecognized tax benefits,” the amount of related interest and penalties we have provided and what we believe to be the range of reasonably possible changes in the next 12 months were:

	At
	June 30,		December 31,
(In millions)	2011		2010
Unrecognized tax benefits	$	6,221	$	6,139
Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate(a)		4,077		4,114
Accrued interest on unrecognized tax benefits		1,187		1,200
Accrued penalties on unrecognized tax benefits		127		109
Reasonably possible reduction to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits
in succeeding 12 months		0-1,800		0-1,600
Portion that, if recognized, would reduce tax expense and effective tax rate(a)		0-600		0-650

(a)       Some portion of such reduction may be reported as discontinued operations.

The IRS is currently auditing our consolidated income tax returns for 2006-2007. In addition, certain other U.S. tax deficiency issues and refund claims for previous years were unresolved. The IRS has disallowed the tax loss on our 2003 disposition of ERC Life Reinsurance Corporation. We are contesting the disallowance of this loss. It is reasonably possible that the 2006-2007 U.S. audit cycle will be completed during the next 12 months, which could result in a decrease in our balance of “unrecognized tax benefits” – that is, the aggregate tax effect of differences between tax return positions and the benefits recognized in our financial statements. We believe that there are no other jurisdictions in which the outcome of unresolved issues or claims is likely to be material to our results of operations, financial position or cash flows. We further believe that we have made adequate provision for all income tax uncertainties.

GE and GECS file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return. This enables GE to use GECS tax deductions and credits to reduce the tax that otherwise would have been payable by GE. The GECS effective tax rate for each period reflects the benefit of these tax reductions in the consolidated return. GE makes cash payments to GECS for these tax reductions at the time GE's tax payments are due. The effect of GECS on the amount of the consolidated tax liability from the formation of the NBCU joint venture will be settled in cash when it otherwise would have reduced the liability of the group absent the tax on formation.