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INCOME TAXES
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
INCOME TAXES

The Company does not recognize a tax benefit, unless the Company concludes that it is more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on audit by the taxing authority based solely on the technical merits of the associated tax position. If the recognition threshold is met, the Company recognizes a tax benefit measured at the largest amount of the tax benefit that the Company believes is greater than 50.0% likely to be realized.

The gross unrecognized income tax benefits were $55.8 and $52.7 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. It is anticipated that the amount of the unrecognized income tax benefits will change within the next twelve months; however, these changes are not expected to have a significant impact on the results of operations, cash flows or the financial position of the Company.

As of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, $56.4 and $53.3, respectively, are the approximate amounts of unrecognized income tax benefits that, if recognized, would favorably affect the effective income tax rate in future periods.

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized income tax benefits in income tax expense. Accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions totaled $10.6 and $10.8 as of June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
 
The valuation allowance provided as a reserve against certain deferred tax assets is $19.8 and $14.4 at June 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The increase in the valuation allowance during 2012 is primarily due to current year-to-date foreign losses whereby a full valuation allowance has been provided.

The Company has substantially concluded all U.S. federal income tax matters for years through 2007. Substantially all material state and local, and foreign income tax matters have been concluded through 2006 and 2001, respectively.

The Company has various state income tax examinations ongoing throughout the year. In October 2011, Canada Revenue Agency initiated an examination of the Company's Canadian income tax returns for 2010 and 2009. Management believes adequate provisions have been recorded related to all open tax years.