Income taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Income taxes

Income taxes

4.       Income taxes

The income tax expense of $130 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 reflected an effective tax rate of 25.3%, which was consistent with the effective tax rate of 25.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The effective tax rate of 25.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 differed from the statutory rate of 35.0%, primarily due to foreign income taxes levied at relatively lower rates, geographic mix in profitability, recognition of California research and development credits and federal domestic production deductions. As the federal research credit expired on December 31, 2011 and,as of March 31, 2012, an extension of the credit had not been signed into law, we have excluded the benefit from this tax credit in our income tax calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

The overall effective income tax rate for the year could be different from the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and will be dependent, in part, on our profitability for the remainder of the year. In addition, our effective income tax rates for the remainder of 2012 and future periods will depend on a variety of factors, such as changes in the mix of income by tax jurisdiction, applicable accounting rules, applicable tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax audits and other matters, and variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income or loss. Further, the effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and could be adversely affected by the extent that income (loss) before income tax expenses (benefit) is lower than anticipated in foreign regions where taxes are levied at lower statutory rates and/or higher than anticipated in the United States where taxes are levied at higher statutory rates.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently examining the Company's federal tax returns for the 2009 tax year. The Company also has several state and non-U.S. audits pending. Although the final resolution of the Company's global tax disputes is uncertain, based on current information, in the opinion of the Company's management, the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations. However, an unfavorable resolution of the Company's global tax disputes could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations in an interimperiod in which the matters are ultimately resolved.