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Income Taxes
 3 Months Ended
Apr. 28, 2012
Income Taxes  
Income Taxes

(6)                                 Income Taxes

 

Income tax expense for the interim periods was computed using the effective tax rate estimated to be applicable for the full fiscal year. The Company’s effective income tax rate increased to 32.0% for the three months ended April 28, 2012 from 29.5% for the three months ended April 30, 2011, due primarily to a larger estimated mix of taxable income in higher tax jurisdictions compared to the prior year.

 

From time to time, the Company is subject to routine income tax audits on various tax matters around the world in the ordinary course of business. As of April 28, 2012, several income tax audits were underway for various periods in multiple jurisdictions. In April 2012, the Company received a written report from the Italian tax authority regarding its ongoing audit of one of the Company’s Italian subsidiaries for the 2008 and 2009 fiscal years. While the tax authority has not made a formal tax assessment, based on the written report, the Company believes it is likely to receive a formal tax assessment from the tax authority for these two periods for roughly $11 million, though it is possible that the formal tax assessment will not be consistent with the written report. Further, it is possible that the Company will receive similar or even larger assessments in the future for periods subsequent to fiscal 2009. The Company disagrees with the positions that the Italian tax authority has indicated it may take and intends to vigorously contest any such assessments.

 

As required under applicable accounting rules, the Company accrues an amount for its estimate of additional income tax liability which the Company, more likely than not, could incur as a result of the ultimate resolution of the income tax audits (“uncertain tax positions”). The Company reviews and updates the accrual for uncertain tax positions as more definitive information becomes available from taxing authorities, upon completion of tax audits, upon expiration of statutes of limitation, or upon occurrence of other events. The Company does not believe that the resolution of open matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or liquidity.

 

As of April 28, 2012 and January 28, 2012, the Company had $16.8 million and $16.7 million, respectively, of aggregate accruals for uncertain tax positions, including penalties and interest and net of federal tax benefits. The change in the accrual balance from January 28, 2012 to April 28, 2012 resulted primarily from interest.