Note 13 - Income Taxes (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We provide for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of the accounting standard regarding accounting for income taxes. As required under this standard, our DTAs and DTLs are recognized under the balance sheet method, which recognizes the future tax effect of temporary differences between the amounts recorded in our condensed consolidated financial statements and the tax bases of these amounts. DTAs and DTLs are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the DTA or DTL is expected to be realized or settled. Our provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is based on an estimate of our annual effective tax rate for the full year of 2014. When estimating our full year 2014 effective tax rate, we adjust our projected pre-tax income for gains and losses on our derivative transactions and investments, changes in the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, changes in our beginning of year valuation allowance, and other adjustments. The impact of these items is accounted for discretely at the federal applicable tax rate. During 2013, given the impact on our pre-tax results of net gains or losses resulting from our derivative transactions and our investment portfolio, and the continued uncertainty around our ability to rely on certain short-term financial projections, which directly affected our ability to estimate an effective tax rate for the full year, we recorded our interim period income tax provision (benefit) based on actual results of operations. For federal income tax purposes, we had approximately $1.6 billion of NOL carryforwards and $26.3 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards as of September 30, 2014. To the extent not utilized, the NOL carryforwards will expire during tax years 2028 through 2032 and the foreign tax credit carryforwards will expire during tax years 2018 through 2020. Certain entities within our consolidated group have also generated DTAs of approximately $34.4 million relating to state and local NOL carryforwards, which if unutilized, will expire during various future tax periods. As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, before consideration of our valuation allowance, we had DTAs, net of DTLs, of approximately $833.4 million and $1,040.2 million, respectively. We are required to establish a valuation allowance against our DTA when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our DTA will not be realized. At each balance sheet date, we assess our need for a valuation allowance. Our assessment is based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. This requires management to exercise judgment and make assumptions regarding whether our DTA will be realized in future periods. In making this assessment as of September 30, 2014, the primary negative evidence that we considered was our cumulative losses in recent years. We also considered positive evidence when assessing the need for a valuation allowance, such as future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future projections of taxable income, taxable income within the applicable carryback and carryforward periods, and potential tax planning strategies. In assessing our need for a valuation allowance, the weight assigned to the effect of both negative and positive evidence is commensurate with the extent to which such evidence can be objectively verified. Future recognition of our DTA will ultimately depend on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (ordinary income or capital gains) within the applicable carryback and carryforward periods provided under the tax law. This recognition may be based on the continued improvement in operating results and increased certainty regarding our projected incurred losses, and our ability to sustain profitability over an appropriate time period in amounts that are sufficient to support a conclusion that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of our DTAs will be realized. Based on the continued improvement of our operating results, we expect to meet these criteria in 2015 and possibly earlier, which would require the reversal of substantially all of our valuation allowance. A valuation allowance of approximately $834.5 million and $1,022.3 million was recorded against our net DTA of approximately $833.4 million and $1,040.2 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The remaining DTA of approximately $17.9 million at December 31, 2013 represented our NOL carryback that we would be able to utilize as part of an overall settlement of the proposed IRS adjustments relating to tax years 2000 through 2007. Our valuation allowance is in excess of our net DTA as of September 30, 2014 and this excess represents the impact of DTLs relating to the amortization of goodwill. DTLs relating to indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as goodwill, would not ordinarily serve as a source of income for the realization of DTAs because the liability will not reverse until some future indefinite period when the asset is either sold or written down due to impairment. In July 2013, the FASB issued an update to the accounting standard regarding income taxes, which we adopted in the first quarter of 2014. This update provides guidance concerning the balance sheet presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when Carryforwards are available. This accounting standard requires an entity to present its DTAs for the Carryforwards net of its liability related to unrecognized tax benefits. A gross presentation will be required when the Carryforwards are not available under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or when the Carryforwards would not be used to settle any additional income taxes resulting from disallowance of the uncertain tax position. As a result of our implementation of this new FASB guidance, our September 30, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet reflects a full valuation allowance against our DTAs because our remaining DTA was reduced by the reclassification of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits during the first quarter. During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our valuation allowance decreased by approximately $187.8 million. Of this amount, $184.8 million was recorded as a benefit in continuing operations offsetting the related deferred tax expense and $4.1 million was recorded through OCI. Additionally, a $1.1 million increase in our valuation allowance was recorded as an offset to goodwill related to the acquisition of Clayton. As previously disclosed, we are contesting proposed adjustments resulting from the examination by the IRS of our 2000 through 2007 consolidated federal income tax returns. The IRS opposes the recognition of certain tax losses and deductions that were generated through our investment in a portfolio of non-economic REMIC residual interests and proposed adjustments denying the associated tax benefits of these items. We appealed these proposed adjustments to Appeals and made “qualified deposits” with the U.S. Treasury of approximately $85 million in June 2008 relating to the 2000 through 2004 tax years and approximately $4 million in May 2010 relating to the 2005 through 2007 tax years in order to avoid the accrual of above-market-rate interest with respect to the proposed adjustments. We made several attempts to reach a compromised settlement with Appeals, but in January 2013, we were notified that Appeals had rejected our latest settlement offer and planned to issue formal Notices of Deficiency (known as “90-day letters”). On September 4, 2014, we received Notices of Deficiency covering the 2000 through 2007 tax years. The Notices of Deficiency assert unpaid taxes and penalties related to the REMIC matters of approximately $157 million and excludes any potential benefit related to our NOL carryback ability. As of September 30, 2014, there also would be interest of approximately $113 million related to these matters. Depending on the outcome of these matters, additional state income taxes, penalties and interest also may become due when a final resolution is reached. As of September 30, 2014, these additional state tax payments would approximate $30 million. The Notices of Deficiency also reflected additional amounts due of approximately $105 million, which are primarily associated with the disallowance of the previously filed carryback of our 2008 NOL to the 2006 and 2007 tax years. We currently believe that the disallowance of our 2008 NOL carryback is a precautionary position by the IRS and that we will ultimately maintain the benefit of this NOL carryback claim. We have until December 3, 2014 to either pay the Deficiency Amount in full or petition the U.S. Tax Court to litigate the Deficiency Amount. We currently intend to petition the U.S. Tax Court to litigate this matter, which could take several years to resolve and may result in substantial legal expenses. We can provide no assurance regarding the outcome of any such litigation or whether a compromised settlement with the IRS will ultimately be reached. We continue to believe that an adequate provision for income taxes had been made for the potential liabilities that may result from this matter. However, if the ultimate resolution of this matter produces a result that differs materially from our current expectations, there could be a material impact on our effective tax rate, results of operations and cash flows.

Income Taxes

We provide for income taxes in accordance with the provisions of the accounting standard regarding accounting for income taxes. As required under this standard, our DTAs and DTLs are recognized under the balance sheet method, which recognizes the future tax effect of temporary differences between the amounts recorded in our condensed consolidated financial statements and the tax bases of these amounts. DTAs and DTLs are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the periods in which the DTA or DTL is expected to be realized or settled.

Our provision for income taxes for interim financial periods is based on an estimate of our annual effective tax rate for the full year of 2014. When estimating our full year 2014 effective tax rate, we adjust our projected pre-tax income for gains and losses on our derivative transactions and investments, changes in the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes, changes in our beginning of year valuation allowance, and other adjustments. The impact of these items is accounted for discretely at the federal applicable tax rate. During 2013, given the impact on our pre-tax results of net gains or losses resulting from our derivative transactions and our investment portfolio, and the continued uncertainty around our ability to rely on certain short-term financial projections, which directly affected our ability to estimate an effective tax rate for the full year, we recorded our interim period income tax provision (benefit) based on actual results of operations.

For federal income tax purposes, we had approximately $1.6 billion of NOL carryforwards and $26.3 million of foreign tax credit carryforwards as of September 30, 2014. To the extent not utilized, the NOL carryforwards will expire during tax years 2028 through 2032 and the foreign tax credit carryforwards will expire during tax years 2018 through 2020. Certain entities within our consolidated group have also generated DTAs of approximately $34.4 million relating to state and local NOL carryforwards, which if unutilized, will expire during various future tax periods.

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, before consideration of our valuation allowance, we had DTAs, net of DTLs, of approximately $833.4 million and $1,040.2 million, respectively.

We are required to establish a valuation allowance against our DTA when it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our DTA will not be realized. At each balance sheet date, we assess our need for a valuation allowance. Our assessment is based on all available evidence, both positive and negative. This requires management to exercise judgment and make assumptions regarding whether our DTA will be realized in future periods. In making this assessment as of September 30, 2014, the primary negative evidence that we considered was our cumulative losses in recent years. We also considered positive evidence when assessing the need for a valuation allowance, such as future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, future projections of taxable income, taxable income within the applicable carryback and carryforward periods, and potential tax planning strategies. In assessing our need for a valuation allowance, the weight assigned to the effect of both negative and positive evidence is commensurate with the extent to which such evidence can be objectively verified. Future recognition of our DTA will ultimately depend on the existence of sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character (ordinary income or capital gains) within the applicable carryback and carryforward periods provided under the tax law. This recognition may be based on the continued improvement in operating results and increased certainty regarding our projected incurred losses, and our ability to sustain profitability over an appropriate time period in amounts that are sufficient to support a conclusion that it is more likely than not that all or a portion of our DTAs will be realized. Based on the continued improvement of our operating results, we expect to meet these criteria in 2015 and possibly earlier, which would require the reversal of substantially all of our valuation allowance.

A valuation allowance of approximately $834.5 million and $1,022.3 million was recorded against our net DTA of approximately $833.4 million and $1,040.2 million at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. The remaining DTA of approximately $17.9 million at December 31, 2013 represented our NOL carryback that we would be able to utilize as part of an overall settlement of the proposed IRS adjustments relating to tax years 2000 through 2007. Our valuation allowance is in excess of our net DTA as of September 30, 2014 and this excess represents the impact of DTLs relating to the amortization of goodwill. DTLs relating to indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as goodwill, would not ordinarily serve as a source of income for the realization of DTAs because the liability will not reverse until some future indefinite period when the asset is either sold or written down due to impairment.

In July 2013, the FASB issued an update to the accounting standard regarding income taxes, which we adopted in the first quarter of 2014. This update provides guidance concerning the balance sheet presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when Carryforwards are available. This accounting standard requires an entity to present its DTAs for the Carryforwards net of its liability related to unrecognized tax benefits. A gross presentation will be required when the Carryforwards are not available under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction or when the Carryforwards would not be used to settle any additional income taxes resulting from disallowance of the uncertain tax position. As a result of our implementation of this new FASB guidance, our September 30, 2014 condensed consolidated balance sheet reflects a full valuation allowance against our DTAs because our remaining DTA was reduced by the reclassification of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits during the first quarter.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, our valuation allowance decreased by approximately $187.8 million. Of this amount, $184.8 million was recorded as a benefit in continuing operations offsetting the related deferred tax expense and $4.1 million was recorded through OCI. Additionally, a $1.1 million increase in our valuation allowance was recorded as an offset to goodwill related to the acquisition of Clayton.

As previously disclosed, we are contesting proposed adjustments resulting from the examination by the IRS of our 2000 through 2007 consolidated federal income tax returns. The IRS opposes the recognition of certain tax losses and deductions that were generated through our investment in a portfolio of non-economic REMIC residual interests and proposed adjustments denying the associated tax benefits of these items. We appealed these proposed adjustments to Appeals and made “qualified deposits” with the U.S. Treasury of approximately $85 million in June 2008 relating to the 2000 through 2004 tax years and approximately $4 million in May 2010 relating to the 2005 through 2007 tax years in order to avoid the accrual of above-market-rate interest with respect to the proposed adjustments.

We made several attempts to reach a compromised settlement with Appeals, but in January 2013, we were notified that Appeals had rejected our latest settlement offer and planned to issue formal Notices of Deficiency (known as “90-day letters”). On September 4, 2014, we received Notices of Deficiency covering the 2000 through 2007 tax years. The Notices of Deficiency assert unpaid taxes and penalties related to the REMIC matters of approximately $157 million and excludes any potential benefit related to our NOL carryback ability. As of September 30, 2014, there also would be interest of approximately $113 million related to these matters. Depending on the outcome of these matters, additional state income taxes, penalties and interest also may become due when a final resolution is reached. As of September 30, 2014, these additional state tax payments would approximate $30 million. The Notices of Deficiency also reflected additional amounts due of approximately $105 million, which are primarily associated with the disallowance of the previously filed carryback of our 2008 NOL to the 2006 and 2007 tax years. We currently believe that the disallowance of our 2008 NOL carryback is a precautionary position by the IRS and that we will ultimately maintain the benefit of this NOL carryback claim.

We have until December 3, 2014 to either pay the Deficiency Amount in full or petition the U.S. Tax Court to litigate the Deficiency Amount. We currently intend to petition the U.S. Tax Court to litigate this matter, which could take several years to resolve and may result in substantial legal expenses. We can provide no assurance regarding the outcome of any such litigation or whether a compromised settlement with the IRS will ultimately be reached. We continue to believe that an adequate provision for income taxes had been made for the potential liabilities that may result from this matter. However, if the ultimate resolution of this matter produces a result that differs materially from our current expectations, there could be a material impact on our effective tax rate, results of operations and cash flows.