Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
May 05, 2018
Income Taxes	Note J. Income Taxes The effective income tax rate was 25.0% for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and 35.6% for the fiscal 2018 first quarter. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily due to the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% as a result of the 2017 Tax Act and the jurisdictional mix of income. Under ASU 2018-05, we have accounted for the impacts of the 2017 Tax Act to the extent a reasonable estimate could be made and we recognized provisional amounts related to the deemed repatriation tax, offset by the re-measurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities to record the effects of the tax law change in the period of enactment. This guidance allows a company to record a provisional amount when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in the tax law during the measurement period. The measurement period ends when the company has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one year. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued additional guidance providing clarification on certain aspects of the deemed repatriation tax calculation. The additional guidance did not result in an adjustment to the provisional amounts recorded as of February 3, 2018. We will continue to monitor for new guidance related to provisional amounts recorded. TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $58.7 million as of May 5, 2018, $57.3 million as of February 3, 2018 and $39.0 million as of April 29, 2017. 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 $12.5 million as of May 5, 2018, $11.9 million as of February 3, 2018 and $8.0 million as of April 29, 2017. 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 $22 million.

Note J. Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was 25.0% for the first quarter of fiscal 2019 and 35.6% for the fiscal 2018 first quarter. The decrease in the effective income tax rate was primarily due to the reduction of the U.S. federal corporate tax rate to 21% as a result of the 2017 Tax Act and the jurisdictional mix of income.

Under ASU 2018-05, we have accounted for the impacts of the 2017 Tax Act to the extent a reasonable estimate could be made and we recognized provisional amounts related to the deemed repatriation tax, offset by the re-measurement of our deferred tax assets and liabilities to record the effects of the tax law change in the period of enactment. This guidance allows a company to record a provisional amount when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the change in the tax law during the measurement period. The measurement period ends when the company has obtained, prepared, and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one year. During the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Internal Revenue Service issued additional guidance providing clarification on certain aspects of the deemed repatriation tax calculation. The additional guidance did not result in an adjustment to the provisional amounts recorded as of February 3, 2018. We will continue to monitor for new guidance related to provisional amounts recorded.

TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $58.7 million as of May 5, 2018, $57.3 million as of February 3, 2018 and $39.0 million as of April 29, 2017.

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 $12.5 million as of May 5, 2018, $11.9 million as of February 3, 2018 and $8.0 million as of April 29, 2017.

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 $22 million.