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Income Taxes
6 Months Ended
Sep. 27, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Effective Tax Rate
The Company's effective tax rate, which is calculated by dividing each fiscal period's provision for income taxes by pretax income, was 27.8% and 28.8% for the three-month periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively, and 29.3% and 30.2% for the six-month periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate due to the effect of state and local taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, and certain nondeductible expenses. The effective tax rates in the periods presented were lower than the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate of 35% principally as a result of the effect of earnings generated in lower taxed foreign jurisdictions and income tax benefits resulting from the legal entity restructuring of certain of the Company's foreign operations during Fiscal 2015 and Fiscal 2014. The lower effective tax rate of the six-month period ended September 27, 2014 was partially offset by additional tax reserves associated with the conclusion of tax examinations.
Uncertain Income Tax Benefits
The Company classifies interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as part of its provision for income taxes. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, was $133 million and $132 million as of September 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014, respectively, and is included within non-current liability for unrecognized tax benefits in the consolidated balance sheets. The activity in the unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties, was not material during the three-month and six-month periods ended September 27, 2014 and September 28, 2013. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the Company's effective tax rate was $85 million and $86 million as of September 27, 2014 and March 29, 2014, respectively.
Future Changes in Unrecognized Tax Benefits
The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits relating to the Company's tax positions is subject to change based on future events including, but not limited to, the settlements of ongoing tax audits and assessments and the expiration of applicable statutes of limitations. Although the outcomes and timing of such events are highly uncertain, it is reasonably possible that the balance of gross unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, could potentially be reduced by up to approximately $20 million during the next 12 months as a result of anticipated audit settlements. However, changes in the occurrence, expected outcomes, and timing of such events could cause the Company's current estimate to change materially in the future.
The Company files a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return, as well as tax returns in various state, local, and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is generally no longer subject to examinations by the relevant tax authorities for years prior to fiscal year 2006.