Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
Apr. 28, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note I. Income Taxes TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $118.0 million as of April 28, 2012, $116.6 million as of January 28, 2012 and $124.1 million as of April 30, 2011. The effective income tax rate was 38.5% for the fiscal 2013 first quarter and 38.1% for last year's first quarter. TJX is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In nearly all jurisdictions, the tax years through fiscal 2001 are no longer subject to examination. TJX's accounting policy classifies interest and penalties related to income tax matters as part of income tax expense. The total accrued amount on the balance sheets for interest and penalties was $34.0 million as of April 28, 2012, $33.0 million as of January 28, 2012 and $36.1 million as of April 30, 2011. Based on the outcome of tax examinations or judicial or administrative proceedings, or as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations in specific jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits for certain tax positions taken on previously filed tax returns may change materially from those presented in the financial statements. During the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that tax examinations of prior years' tax returns or judicial or administrative proceedings that reflect such positions taken by TJX may be finalized. As a result, the total net amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease, which would reduce the provision for taxes on earnings, by a range of $1.0 million to $50.0 million.

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Apr. 28, 2012

Note I. Income Taxes

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $118.0 million as of April 28, 2012, $116.6 million as of January 28, 2012 and $124.1 million as of April 30, 2011. The effective income tax rate was 38.5% for the fiscal 2013 first quarter and 38.1% for last year's first quarter.

TJX is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In nearly all jurisdictions, the tax years through fiscal 2001 are no longer subject to examination.

TJX's accounting policy classifies interest and penalties related to income tax matters as part of income tax expense. The total accrued amount on the balance sheets for interest and penalties was $34.0 million as of April 28, 2012, $33.0 million as of January 28, 2012 and $36.1 million as of April 30, 2011.

Based on the outcome of tax examinations or judicial or administrative proceedings, or as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations in specific jurisdictions, it is reasonably possible that unrecognized tax benefits for certain tax positions taken on previously filed tax returns may change materially from those presented in the financial statements. During the next 12 months, it is reasonably possible that tax examinations of prior years' tax returns or judicial or administrative proceedings that reflect such positions taken by TJX may be finalized. As a result, the total net amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease, which would reduce the provision for taxes on earnings, by a range of $1.0 million to $50.0 million.