Note 11 – Income Taxes

We review the need to establish a deferred tax asset valuation allowance on a quarterly basis. We analyze several factors, among which are the severity and frequency of operating losses, our capacity for the carryback or carryforward of any losses, the expected occurrence of future income or loss and available tax planning alternatives. Based on our analysis and the level of cumulative operating losses, we have reduced our benefit from income tax through the recognition of a valuation allowance.

The effect of the change in valuation allowance on the benefit from income taxes was as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2013			2012
	(In thousands)

Benefit from income taxes	$	(21,590	)	$	(6,062	)
Change in valuation allowance		22,729			7,425

Provision for income taxes	$	1,139		$	1,363

The increase in the valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was $3.0 million and $15.2 million, respectively. The total valuation allowance as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $991.7 million and $966.0 million, respectively.

We have approximately $2.6 billion of net operating loss carryforwards on a regular tax basis and $1.7 billion of net operating loss carryforwards for computing the alternative minimum tax as of March 31, 2013. Any unutilized carryforwards are scheduled to expire at the end of tax years 2029 through 2033.

The Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") completed examinations of our federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007 and issued assessments for unpaid taxes, interest and penalties related to our treatment of the flow-through income and loss from an investment in a portfolio of residual interests of Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduits ("REMICs"). This portfolio has been managed and maintained during years prior to, during and subsequent to the examination period. The IRS indicated that it did not believe that, for various reasons, we had established sufficient tax basis in the REMIC residual interests to deduct the losses from taxable income. The IRS assessment related to the REMIC issue is $190.7 million in taxes and penalties. There would also be applicable interest which, when computed on the amount of the assessment, is substantial. Depending on the outcome of this matter, additional state income taxes along with any applicable interest may become due when a final resolution is reached and could also be substantial.

We appealed these assessments within the IRS and, in 2007, we made a payment of $65.2 million to the United States Department of the Treasury related to this assessment. In August 2010, we reached a tentative settlement agreement with the IRS which was not finalized. We currently expect to receive a statutory notice of deficiency (commonly referred to as a "90-day letter") for the disputed amounts in the second quarter of 2013. We would then be required to litigate the validity of the assessments in order to avoid payment to the IRS of the entire amount assessed. Any such litigation could be lengthy and costly in terms of legal fees and related expenses. We continue to believe that our previously recorded tax provisions and liabilities are appropriate. However, we would need to make appropriate adjustments, which could be material, to our tax provision and liabilities if our view of the probability of success in this matter changes, and the ultimate resolution of this matter could have a material negative impact on our effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and statutory capital. In this regard, see Note 1 – "Nature of Business - Capital."

In March 2012, we received a Revenue Agent's Report from the IRS related to the examination of our federal income tax returns for the years 2008 and 2009. In January 2013, we received a Revenue Agent's Report from the IRS related to the examination of our federal income tax return for the year 2010. The adjustments that are proposed by the IRS are temporary in nature and will have no material effect on the financial statements.