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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
May 04, 2013
Income Taxes

Note I. Income Taxes

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $124.8 million as of May 4, 2013, $125.3 million as of February 2, 2013 and $118.0 million as of April 28, 2012. The effective income tax rate was 38.1% for the fiscal 2014 first quarter and 38.5% for last year’s first quarter. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was primarily due to the extension of legislation allowing for the U.S. Work Opportunity Tax Credit, in addition to favorable audit settlements in this year’s first quarter. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit had expired as of the first quarter last year and was not extended until the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013.

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 2005 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 $38.8 million as of May 4, 2013; $38.6 million as of February 2, 2013 and $34.0 million as of April 28, 2012.

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.