Note 4 – Income taxes

2012 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first nine months of 2012 was lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due to a $21 million non-cash income tax benefit as a result of the Company changing its funding strategy for retiree health care obligations (as described below), partially offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings, withholding taxes, and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.

The Company changed its funding strategy for certain retiree health care obligations and, as a result, no longer expects to be affected by an income tax deduction limitation enacted by The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“the Act”).  The Act disallows deductions for prescription drug benefit costs funded after December 31, 2012, to the extent these costs are reimbursed by a “Medicare Part D Subsidy.” 

2011 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first nine months of 2011 was slightly lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due to a $4.4 million benefit for the release of a U.S. valuation allowance and $1.6 million in benefits for changes in legislation in various jurisdictions, tax claims and audit settlements.  These benefits were mostly offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.

2012 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first nine months of 2012 was lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due to a $21 million non-cash income tax benefit as a result of the Company changing its funding strategy for retiree health care obligations (as described below), partially offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings, withholding taxes, and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.

The Company changed its funding strategy for certain retiree health care obligations and, as a result, no longer expects to be affected by an income tax deduction limitation enacted by The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010 (“the Act”).  The Act disallows deductions for prescription drug benefit costs funded after December 31, 2012, to the extent these costs are reimbursed by a “Medicare Part D Subsidy.” 

2011 Compared to U.S. Statutory Rate

The effective income tax rate on continuing operations in the first nine months of 2011 was slightly lower than the 35% U.S. statutory tax rate largely due to a $4.4 million benefit for the release of a U.S. valuation allowance and $1.6 million in benefits for changes in legislation in various jurisdictions, tax claims and audit settlements.  These benefits were mostly offset by higher taxes due to the geographical mix of earnings and the characterization of a French business tax as an income tax.