Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2015
Income Taxes	Note K. Income Taxes The effective income tax rate was 37.6% for the fiscal 2016 third quarter and 38.0% for the fiscal 2015 third quarter. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 was 37.9% as compared to 37.8% for the prior year’s comparable period. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 was primarily due to a tax benefit from a reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions related to our adoption of the new Tangible Property Regulations, partially offset by the jurisdictional mix of income and the valuation allowance on foreign net operating losses. TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $31.4 million as of October 31, 2015, $32.7 million as of January 31, 2015 and $29.3 million as of November 1, 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 $6.8 million as of October 31, 2015, $10.1 million as of January 31, 2015 and $9.3 million as of November 1, 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 $11.4 million.

Note K. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 37.6% for the fiscal 2016 third quarter and 38.0% for the fiscal 2015 third quarter. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended October 31, 2015 was 37.9% as compared to 37.8% for the prior year’s comparable period. The decrease in the effective income tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2016 was primarily due to a tax benefit from a reduction in our reserve for uncertain tax positions related to our adoption of the new Tangible Property Regulations, partially offset by the jurisdictional mix of income and the valuation allowance on foreign net operating losses.

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $31.4 million as of October 31, 2015, $32.7 million as of January 31, 2015 and $29.3 million as of November 1, 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 $6.8 million as of October 31, 2015, $10.1 million as of January 31, 2015 and $9.3 million as of November 1, 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 $11.4 million.