included in the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits of $ 148.8 as of december 31 , 2008 , is $ 131.8 of tax benefits that , if recognized , would impact the effective tax rate and $ 17.1 of tax benefits that , if recognized , would result in adjustments to other tax accounts , primarily deferred taxes . the total amount of accrued interest and penalties as of december 31 , 2008 and 2007 is $ 33.5 and $ 33.6 , of which $ 0.7 and $ 9.2 is included in the 2008 and 2007 consolidated statement of operations , respectively . in accordance with our accounting policy , interest and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits are classified as income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations . we have not elected to change this classification with the adoption of fin 48 . with respect to all tax years open to examination by u.s . federal and various state , local , and non-u.s . tax authorities , we currently anticipate that the total unrecognized tax benefits will decrease by an amount between $ 45.0 and $ 55.0 in the next twelve months , a portion of which will affect the effective tax rate , primarily as a result of the settlement of tax examinations and the lapsing of statutes of limitation . this net decrease is related to various items of income and expense , including transfer pricing adjustments and restatement adjustments . for this purpose , we expect to complete our discussions with the irs appeals division regarding the years 1997 through 2004 within the next twelve months . we also expect to effectively settle , within the next twelve months , various uncertainties for 2005 and 2006 . in december 2007 , the irs commenced its examination for the 2005 and 2006 tax years . in addition , we have various tax years under examination by tax authorities in various countries , such as the u.k. , and in various states , such as new york , in which we have significant business operations . it is not yet known whether these examinations will , in the aggregate , result in our paying additional taxes . we have established tax reserves that we believe to be adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments in each of the jurisdictions in which we are subject to taxation . we regularly assess the likelihood of additional tax assessments in those jurisdictions and adjust our reserves as additional information or events require . on may 1 , 2007 , the irs completed its examination of our 2003 and 2004 income tax returns and proposed a number of adjustments to our taxable income . we have appealed a number of these items . in addition , during the second quarter of 2007 , there were net reversals of tax reserves , primarily related to previously unrecognized tax benefits related to various items of income and expense , including approximately $ 80.0 for certain worthless securities deductions associated with investments in consolidated subsidiaries , which was a result of the completion of the tax examination. .
notes to consolidated financial statements 2014 ( continued ) ( amounts in millions , except per share amounts ) withholding taxes on temporary differences resulting from earnings for certain foreign subsidiaries which are permanently reinvested outside the u.s . it is not practicable to determine the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability associated with these temporary differences . pursuant to the provisions of fasb interpretation no . 48 , accounting for uncertainty in income taxes ( 201cfin 48 201d ) , the following table summarizes the activity related to our unrecognized tax benefits: .
what is the net change in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits during 2008?
the balance at beginning of period of 2008 is $ 134.8 ; the balance at beginning of period of 2007 is $ 266.9 ; the balance at end of period of 2008 is $ 148.8 ; the balance at end of period of 2007 is $ 134.8 ;
2008 2007
balance at beginning of period $ 134.8 $ 266.9
increases as a result of tax positions taken during a prior year 22.8 7.9
decreases as a result of tax positions taken during a prior year -21.3 ( 21.3 ) -156.3 ( 156.3 )
settlements with taxing authorities -4.5 ( 4.5 ) -1.0 ( 1.0 )
lapse of statutes of limitation -1.7 ( 1.7 ) -2.4 ( 2.4 )
increases as a result of tax positions taken during the current year 18.7 19.7
balance at end of period $ 148.8 $ 134.8