. excluding the impact of spe- cial items , the tax provision was $ 369 million , or 31.5% ( 31.5 % ) of pre-tax earnings before equity earnings . the company recorded an income tax provision for 2007 of $ 415 million , including a $ 41 million benefit related to the effective settlement of tax audits , and $ 8 million of other tax benefits . excluding the impact of special items , the tax provision was $ 423 million , or 30% ( 30 % ) of pre-tax earnings before equity earnings . international paper has u.s