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11. Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Nov. 02, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
11.         Income Taxes

We recorded income tax expense of $1.8 million for the fiscal 2015 third quarter compared to $1.0 million for the comparable prior year period.  The effective tax rates for the fiscal 2015 and 2014 third quarters were 35.5% and 33.1%, respectively. The effective tax rate was higher in the fiscal 2015 third quarter due to the diminished effects of permanent tax rate benefits (that do not vary due with sales or taxable income) on higher taxable income in the current year quarter. These permanent benefits were company-owned life insurance, our captive insurance arrangement and inventory contributions.

We recorded income tax expense of $4.4 million for the fiscal 2015 first three quarters compared to $3.1 million for the comparable prior year period.  The effective tax rate for the fiscal 2015 and 2014 nine-month periods was 34.9% and 34.0%, respectively. The effective tax rate was higher in the fiscal 2015 third quarter due to the diminished effects of permanent tax rate benefits (that do not vary due with sales or taxable income) on higher taxable income in the current year quarter. These permanent benefits were company-owned life insurance, our captive insurance arrangement and inventory contributions.

The net unrecognized tax benefits as of November 2, 2014 and February 2, 2014, which, if recognized, would impact our effective tax rate are $419,000 and $303,000, respectively.  In fiscal 2014, an uncertain tax position was identified and accrued for which forthcoming remediation will effectively settle the uncertainty in the next 12 months. In fiscal 2014, we also established a reserve for an uncertain tax position related to the use of a portion of state loss carryforwards in our current tax returns. The balance of that reserve was $141,000 at November 2, 2014 and $103,000 at February 2, 2014.

The tax years ending 2012 through 2014 remain subject to examination by federal taxing authorities. State tax returns for the years ending 2011 through 2014 remain subject to examination.