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Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Oct. 27, 2012
Income Taxes

Note I. Income Taxes

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $120.9 million as of October 27, 2012, $116.6 million as of January 28, 2012 and $125.1 million as of October 29, 2011. The effective income tax rate was 38.3% for the fiscal 2013 third quarter and 38.8% for last year’s third quarter. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the third quarter was primarily due to the mix of earnings between the Company’s domestic and foreign segments. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended October 27, 2012 was 38.4% as compared to 38.2% for last year’s comparable period. The increase in the income tax rate for the year-to-date period of fiscal 2013 was primarily due to the expiration of the legislation allowing for the U.S. Work Opportunity Tax credit, and the absence of favorable discrete items recognized in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, offset partially by the benefit of the mix of earnings between TJX’s domestic and foreign segments.

TJX is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple states, 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 $36.2 million as of October 27, 2012, $33.0 million as of January 28, 2012 and $37.9 million as of October 29, 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.