NOTE 12    INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rates were approximately 19% and 21% for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Our effective tax rate was lower than the U.S. federal statutory rate primarily due to earnings taxed at lower rates in foreign jurisdictions resulting from producing and distributing our products and services through our foreign regional operations centers in Ireland, Singapore, and Puerto Rico, which have lower income tax rates.

The current quarter’s effective tax rate is lower than our prior year’s first quarter effective tax rate primarily due to the favorable impact of foreign currency exchange rate movements on our foreign tax provisions.

Tax contingencies and other tax liabilities were $7.8 billion and $7.6 billion as of September 30, 2012 and June 30, 2012, respectively, and are included in other long-term liabilities. While we settled a portion of the I.R.S. audit for tax years 2004 to 2006 during the third quarter of fiscal year 2011, we remain under audit for these years. In February 2012, the I.R.S. withdrew its 2011 Revenue Agents Report and reopened the audit phase of the examination. As of September 30, 2012, the primary unresolved issue relates to transfer pricing which could have a significant impact on our financial statements if not resolved favorably. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months, as we do not believe the remaining open issues will be resolved within the next 12 months. We also continue to be subject to examination by the I.R.S. for tax years 2007 to 2011.