INCOME TAXES

Accounting standards state that companies account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. This method also requires the recognition of future tax benefits, such as net operating loss carryforwards and other tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are recorded as necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount thereof that is more likely than not to be realized. The likelihood of realizing deferred tax assets is evaluated by, among other things, estimating future taxable income to which the deferred tax assets may be applied and assessing the impact of tax planning strategies.

For interim periods, accounting standards require that income tax expense be determined by applying the estimated annual effective income tax rate to year-to-date results unless this method does not result in a reliable estimate of year-to-date income tax expense. Each quarter the income tax accrual is adjusted to the latest estimate and the difference from the previously accrued year-to-date balance is adjusted to the current quarter.

For the first nine months of 2011, the primary differences between the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0% and the effective rate applicable to LP’s continuing operations relate to state income taxes, the effect of foreign tax rates and increases in valuation allowances attributed to net operating loss carryforwards in various jurisdictions. For the first nine months of 2010, the primary differences between the U.S. statutory rate of 35% and the effective rate applicable to LP’s continuing operations relate to state income taxes, the effect of foreign tax rates and a discrete adjustment for state income taxes.

The income tax components and associated effective income tax rates for the quarter and nine months periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are as follows:



	Quarter Ended September 30,
	2011					2010
Dollars in millions	Tax Benefit			Tax Rate		Tax Benefit			Tax Rate
Continuing operations	$	(20.9	)	26	%	$	(16.4	)	35	%
Discontinued operations	(4.0		)	39	%	(0.5		)	39	%
	$	(24.9	)	28	%	$	(16.9	)	35	%

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2011					2010
	Tax Benefit			Tax Rate		Tax Benefit			Tax Rate
Continuing operations	$	(36.1	)	24	%	$	(14.0	)	32	%
Discontinued operations	(5.6		)	39	%	(1.4		)	39	%
	$	(41.7	)	25	%	$	(15.4	)	32	%

LP and its domestic subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income taxes of multiple state jurisdictions. LP’s foreign subsidiaries are subject to income tax in Canada, Chile and Brazil. During 2011, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service initiated an audit of tax years 2007 through 2009. All U.S. federal audits of prior years have been completed. LP remains subject to state and local tax examinations for the tax years 2005 through 2010. LP’s Canadian income tax returns have been audited and effectively settled through 2004. Quebec provincial audits have been effectively settled through 2007. No Canadian federal or provincial audits are currently in progress.

If LP were to determine that it would not be able to realize a portion of an existing net deferred tax asset for which there is currently no valuation allowance, an adjustment to the net deferred tax asset would be charged to earnings in the period in which such determination was made. Conversely, if it were to make a determination that it is more likely than not that an existing deferred tax asset for which there is currently a valuation allowance would be realized, the related valuation allowance would be reduced and a benefit to earnings would be recorded in the period in which such determination was made.