Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Jul. 29, 2017
Income Taxes	Note J. Income Taxes The effective income tax rate was 38.0% for the fiscal 2018 second quarter and 36.8% for the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to 38.5% for each of the comparable periods last year. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily due to excess income tax benefits related to share-based payments which reduced the effective income tax rate by 0.4 percentage points for the second quarter and 1.6 percentage points for the six months ended July 29, 2017. The jurisdictional mix of income also contributed to the decrease of the effective income tax rate. TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $40.4 million as of July 29, 2017, $38.5 million as of January 28, 2017 and $36.2 million as of July 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 $8.3 million as of July 29, 2017, $8.0 million as of January 28, 2017 and $7.5 million as of July 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 $14 million.

Note J. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 38.0% for the fiscal 2018 second quarter and 36.8% for the six months ended July 29, 2017 compared to 38.5% for each of the comparable periods last year. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily due to excess income tax benefits related to share-based payments which reduced the effective income tax rate by 0.4 percentage points for the second quarter and 1.6 percentage points for the six months ended July 29, 2017. The jurisdictional mix of income also contributed to the decrease of the effective income tax rate.

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $40.4 million as of July 29, 2017, $38.5 million as of January 28, 2017 and $36.2 million as of July 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 $8.3 million as of July 29, 2017, $8.0 million as of January 28, 2017 and $7.5 million as of July 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 $14 million.