v2.4.1.9

Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jan. 31, 2015 | Feb. 01, 2014 | Feb. 02, 2013
Federal income tax statutory rate | 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate | 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate | 35.00%us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationAtFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRate
Net change in the valuation allowance | $ (1)us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount | $ 16 us-gaap_ValuationAllowanceDeferredTaxAssetChangeInAmount |
Federal net operating loss carryforwards | 0 us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwardsDomestic |  |
State net operating loss carryforwards | 595 us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLossCarryforwards |  |
State credit carryforwards | 29 us-gaap_TaxCreditCarryforwardAmount |  |
Unrecognized tax benefits that would impact effective income tax rate | 112 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate | 123 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate |
Charges to income tax expense for federal, state and local interest and penalties | (3)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense | 9 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense | (10)us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestExpense
Accrual for payment of federal, state and local interest and penalties | 52 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued | 63 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued |
Other Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Accrual for payment of federal, state and local interest and penalties | 49 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesMember |  |
Current Income Taxes [Member] |  |  |
Accrual for payment of federal, state and local interest and penalties | $ 3 us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsInterestOnIncomeTaxesAccrued / us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis = m_CurrentIncomeTaxesMember |  |
Maximum [Member] |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates | Dec. 31, 2034 |  |
Minimum [Member] |  |  |
Operating Loss Carryforwards, Expiration Dates | Dec. 31, 2015 |  |

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- Definition Amount before allocation of valuation allowances of deferred tax asset attributable to deductible domestic operating loss carryforwards. Excludes state and local operating loss carryforwards. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 6 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32621-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32632-109319 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 25 -Paragraph 20 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=29652012&loc=d3e28680-109314 + Details
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- Definition Percentage of domestic federal statutory tax rate applicable to pretax income (loss). + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 12 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32687-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 6.I) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=34349781&loc=d3e330036-122817 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 13 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32698-109319 + Details
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- Definition The amount of the tax credit carryforward, before tax effects, available to reduce future taxable income under enacted tax laws. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Glossary Carryforwards -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6506874 + Details
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- Definition Amount of expense for interest on an underpayment of income taxes and penalties related to a tax position claimed or expected to be claimed in the tax return. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319 + Details
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