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 existence and current level of taxable operating income, 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 continue to reduce our benefit from income tax through the recognition of a valuation allowance.

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

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
	2014			2013
	(In thousands)

Provision for (benefit from) income tax	$	23,120		$	(21,590	)
Change in valuation allowance		(22,394	)		22,729

Provision for income taxes	$	726		$	1,139

The change in the valuation allowance that was included in other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was a decrease of $13.3 million and an increase of $3.0 million, respectively. The total valuation allowance as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 was $968.6 million and $1,004.2 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, 2014. Any unutilized carryforwards are scheduled to expire at the end of tax years 2029 through 2033.

Tax Contingencies

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) completed examinations of our federal income tax returns for the years 2000 through 2007 and issued proposed 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”). 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 proposed assessments for taxes and penalties related to these matters are $197.5 million and at March 31, 2014 there would also be interest of approximately $157.9 million. In addition, depending on the outcome of this matter, additional state income taxes and state interest may become due when a final resolution is reached. As of March 31, 2014, those state taxes and interest would approximate $46.3 million. In addition, there could also be state tax penalties.

Our total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2014 is $105.6 million, which represents the tax benefits generated by the REMIC portfolio included in our tax returns that we have not taken benefit for in our financial statements, including any related interest. 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.”

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. The IRS is pursuing this matter in full and we currently expect to be in litigation on this matter in 2014. Any such litigation could be lengthy and costly in terms of legal fees and related expenses.

The IRS is currently conducting an examination of our federal income tax returns for the years 2011 and 2012, which is scheduled to be completed in 2014.

The total amount of the unrecognized tax benefits, related to our aforementioned REMIC issue, that would affect our effective tax rate is $93.0 million, after taking into account the effect of NOL carrybacks. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income taxes. As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had accrued $26.3 million and $26.1 million, respectively, for the payment of interest.