Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Aug. 01, 2015
Income Taxes	Note J. Income Taxes The effective income tax rate was 38.0% for the fiscal 2016 second quarter and 37.7% for the fiscal 2015 second quarter. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended August 1, 2015 was 38.0% as compared to 37.7% for last year’s comparable period. The increase in the effective income tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the jurisdictional mix of income and the valuation allowance on operating losses in Austria and the Netherlands. TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $34.8 million as of August 1, 2015, $32.7 million as of January 31, 2015 and $28.1 million as of August 2, 2014. TJX is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple states, local and foreign jurisdictions. In the U.S., fiscal years through 2010 are no longer subject to examination. In all other jurisdictions, including Canada, the tax years through fiscal 2006 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 $10.9 million as of August 1, 2015; $10.1 million as of January 31, 2015 and $8.8 million as of August 2, 2014. 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 zero to $15.5 million.

Note J. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 38.0% for the fiscal 2016 second quarter and 37.7% for the fiscal 2015 second quarter. The effective income tax rate for the six months ended August 1, 2015 was 38.0% as compared to 37.7% for last year’s comparable period. The increase in the effective income tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was primarily due to the jurisdictional mix of income and the valuation allowance on operating losses in Austria and the Netherlands.

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $34.8 million as of August 1, 2015, $32.7 million as of January 31, 2015 and $28.1 million as of August 2, 2014.

TJX is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple states, local and foreign jurisdictions. In the U.S., fiscal years through 2010 are no longer subject to examination. In all other jurisdictions, including Canada, the tax years through fiscal 2006 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 $10.9 million as of August 1, 2015; $10.1 million as of January 31, 2015 and $8.8 million as of August 2, 2014.

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 zero to $15.5 million.