Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

EXHIBIT 12

Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

Verizon Communications Inc. and Subsidiaries

 

(dollars in millions)   

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2012

 

Earnings:

  

Income before provision for income taxes

   $ 4,632  

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated businesses

     (103

Dividends from unconsolidated businesses

     14  

Interest expense (1)

     685  

Portion of rent expense representing interest

     205  

Amortization of capitalized interest

     39  
  

 

 

 

Earnings, as adjusted

   $     5,472  
  

 

 

 

Fixed Charges:

  

Interest expense (1)

   $ 685  

Portion of rent expense representing interest

     205  

Capitalized interest

     68  
  

 

 

 

Fixed Charges

   $ 958  
  

 

 

 

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     5.71  
  

 

 

 

 

(1)

We classify interest expense recognized on uncertain tax positions as income tax expense and therefore such interest expense is not included in the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.