XML 30 R18.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.7.0.1
Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Apr. 29, 2017
Income Taxes

Note J. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 35.6% for the fiscal 2018 first quarter and 38.4% for the fiscal 2017 first quarter. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily due to excess income tax benefits related to share-based payments, partially offset by the jurisdictional mix of income and the increase in valuation allowance on foreign net operating losses.

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $39.0 million as of April 29, 2017, $38.5 million as of January 28, 2017 and $35.3 million as of April 30, 2016.

TJX is subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In the U.S., fiscal years through 2010 are no longer subject to examination. In Canada, fiscal years through 2008 are no longer subject to examination. In all other jurisdictions, fiscal years through 2009 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 $8.0 million as of April 29, 2017, $8.0 million as of January 28, 2017 and $7.4 million as of April 30, 2016.

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 $13 million.