1.	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

OfficeMax Incorporated (“OfficeMax,” the “Company”, “we” or “our”) is a leader in both business-to-business and retail office products distribution. The Company provides office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products, solutions and office furniture and facilities products to large, medium and small businesses, government offices and consumers. OfficeMax customers are served by approximately 29,000 associates through direct sales, catalogs, the Internet and a network of retail stores located throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico. The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol OMX. The Company’s corporate headquarters is located in Naperville, Illinois, and the OfficeMax website address is www.officemax.com.

The Company manages its business using three reportable segments: OfficeMax, Contract (“Contract segment” or “Contract”); OfficeMax, Retail (“Retail segment” or “Retail”); and Corporate and Other. The Contract segment markets and sells office supplies and paper, technology products and solutions, office furniture, print and document services and facilities products directly to large corporate and government offices, as well as to small and medium-sized offices through field salespeople, outbound telesales, catalogs, the Internet and, primarily in foreign markets, through office products stores. The Retail segment markets and sells office supplies and paper, print and document services, technology products and solutions and office furniture to small and medium-sized businesses and consumers through a network of retail stores. Management reviews the performance of the Company based on these segments. We present information pertaining to our segments in Note 14, “Segment Information”.

Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of OfficeMax and all majority owned subsidiaries, except our 88%-owned subsidiary that formerly owned assets in Cuba that were confiscated by the Cuban government in the 1960’s, which is accounted for as an investment due to various asset restrictions. We also consolidate the variable interest entities in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal year-end is the last Saturday in December. Fiscal year 2012 ended on December 29, 2012, fiscal year 2011 ended on December 31, 2011, and fiscal year 2010 ended on December 25, 2010. Due primarily to statutory requirements, the Company’s international businesses maintain calendar years with December 31 year-ends, with the exception of, Grupo OfficeMax S. de R.L. de C.V. (“Grupo OfficeMax”), our majority-owned joint-venture in Mexico, for which the fiscal year-end is the last Saturday in December beginning with the 2012 fiscal year. Grupo OfficeMax reported one month in arrears in 2011 and 2010. This practice was discontinued in 2012, resulting in fiscal year 2012 including 13 months for Grupo OfficeMax. This change in accounting policy did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements, and, therefore, prior year’s amounts have not been restated. Due to the use of a fiscal year that does not agree to a calendar month end, fiscal year 2011 included 53 weeks for our U.S. businesses. Fiscal years 2012 and 2010 included 52 weeks for our U.S. businesses.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures about contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates, but management does not believe such differences will materially affect the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the recognition of vendor rebates and allowances; the carrying amount of intangibles and long lived assets; inventories; income tax assets and liabilities; facility closure reserves; self insurance; environmental and asbestos liabilities; and assets and obligations related to employee benefits including the pension plans.

Foreign Currency Translation

Local currencies are considered the functional currencies for the Company’s operations outside the United States. Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange in effect at the balance sheet date with the related translation adjustments reported in shareholders’ equity as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars at average monthly exchange rates prevailing during the year. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses related to assets and liabilities that are denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are reported in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the periods they occur.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the sale of products is recognized at the time both title and the risk of ownership are transferred to the customer, which generally occurs upon delivery to the customer or third-party delivery service for contract, catalog and Internet sales, and at the point of sale for retail transactions. Service revenue is recognized as the services are rendered. Revenue is reported less an appropriate provision for returns and net of coupons, rebates and other sales incentives. The Company offers rebate programs to some of its Contract customers. Customer rebates are recorded as a reduction in sales and are accrued as earned by the customer.

Revenue from the sale of extended warranty contracts is reported on a commission basis at the time of sale, except in a limited number of states where state law specifies the Company as the legal obligor. In such states, the revenue from the sale of extended warranty contracts is recorded at the gross amount and recognized ratably over the contract period. The performance obligations and risk of loss associated with extended warranty contracts sold by the Company are assumed by an unrelated third party. Costs associated with these contracts are recognized in the same period as the related revenue.

Fees for shipping and handling charged to customers in connection with sale transactions are included in sales. Costs related to shipping and handling are included in cost of goods sold and occupancy costs. Taxes collected from customers are accounted for on a net basis and are excluded from sales.

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs:

Cost of goods sold and occupancy costs include inventory costs, net of estimable vendor allowances and rebates, cash discounts on purchased inventory, freight costs to bring merchandise to our stores and warehouses, delivery costs to bring merchandise to our customers, provisions for inventory value and physical adjustments, as well as occupancy costs, including depreciation or facility rent of inventory-holding and selling locations and related utilities, real estate taxes and building repairs and maintenance expense. Freight and delivery costs include all costs, including payroll, associated with our Retail (PowerMax) distribution centers and all private fleet and third party transportation services, including Company delivery personnel.

Operating, selling and general and administrative expenses:

Operating, selling and general and administrative expenses include employee payroll, payroll taxes and benefits and other expenses related to selling activities, distribution center activities in our Contract segment such as picking/packing and shipping/receiving, as well as management and staff functions, such as information technology, human resources, finance, legal, merchandising and product development functions. Expenses related to selling activities include costs associated with store personnel, advertising, sales force personnel and other selling activities. Operating, selling and general and administrative expenses also include expenses and income related to our frozen pension plans and other legacy operating activities, such as dividends related to our investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include short-term debt instruments that have an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase. The Company’s banking arrangements allow the Company to fund outstanding checks when presented to the financial institution for payment. This cash management practice frequently results in a net cash overdraft position for accounting purposes, which occurs when total issued checks exceed available cash balances at a single financial institution. The Company records its outstanding checks and bank overdrafts in accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The impact of outstanding checks and bank overdrafts are reported in cash provided by operations and cash used for financing, respectively, in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable relate primarily to amounts owed by customers for trade sales of products and services and amounts due from vendors under volume purchase rebate, cooperative advertising and various other marketing programs. An allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded to provide for estimated losses resulting from uncollectible accounts, and is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable. Management believes that the Company’s exposure to credit risk associated with accounts receivable is limited due to the size and diversity of its customer and vendor base, which extends across many different industries and geographic regions. In the fourth quarter of 2011, we became aware of financial difficulties at one of our large Contract customers. We granted the customer extended payment terms and implemented creditor oversight provisions. The receivable from this customer was $30 million at December 29, 2012, and the customer is paying according to the agreed upon terms. Substantially all of this balance has been collected to date. Based on our ongoing sales to this customer, we continue to carry similar receivable balances, which we monitor closely.

At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company had allowances for doubtful accounts of $4.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively.

Vendor Rebates and Allowances

We participate in volume purchase rebate programs, some of which provide for tiered rebates based on defined levels of purchase volume. We also participate in programs that enable us to receive additional vendor subsidies by promoting the sale of vendor products. Vendor rebates and allowances are accrued as earned. Rebates and allowances received as a result of attaining defined purchase levels are accrued over the incentive period based on the terms of the vendor arrangement and estimates of qualifying purchases during the rebate program period. These estimates are reviewed on a quarterly basis and adjusted for changes in anticipated product sales and expected purchase levels. Vendor rebates and allowances earned are recorded as a reduction in the cost of merchandise inventories and are included in operations (as a reduction of cost of goods sold) in the period the related product is sold.

Merchandise Inventories

Inventories consist of office products merchandise and are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or net realizable value. The Company estimates the realizable value of inventory using assumptions about future demand, market conditions and product obsolescence. If the estimated realizable value is less than cost, the inventory value is reduced to its estimated realizable value.

Throughout the year, the Company performs physical inventory counts at a significant number of our locations. For periods subsequent to each location’s last physical inventory count, an allowance for estimated shrinkage is provided based on historical shrinkage results and current business trends.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. The Company calculates depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the terms of the related leases. The estimated useful lives of depreciable assets are generally as follows: building and improvements, three to 40 years; machinery and equipment, which also include delivery trucks, furniture and office and computer equipment, three to 15 years. Leasehold improvements are reported as building and improvements and are typically amortized over the lesser of the term of the lease or the estimated lives of the improvements, which generally range from two to 20 years.

Long-Lived Assets Impairment

Long-lived assets, such as property, leasehold improvements, equipment and capitalized software costs, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized equal to the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, which is estimated based on discounted cash flows. In 2012, 2011 and 2010 the Company determined that there were indicators of impairment, completed tests for impairment and recorded impairment of assets of individual retail stores, which consist primarily of leasehold improvements and fixtures. See Note 5, “Intangible Assets and Other Long-lived Assets,” for further discussion regarding impairment of long-lived assets.

Intangible Assets Impairment

Intangible assets represent the values assigned to trade names, customer lists and relationships and exclusive distribution rights of businesses acquired. Intangible assets with definite lives, which would include our customer lists and relationships and exclusive distribution rights of businesses acquired, are amortized over those lives and are reviewed for impairment in the same manner as long-lived assets discussed above. Intangible assets with indefinite lives, which would include our trade name assets, are not amortized but are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Beginning in 2012, we may make a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset, other than goodwill, is impaired. If, after making the qualitative assessment, we determine it is not more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then performing a quantitative impairment test is unnecessary. If a quantitative impairment test is performed, the asset’s fair value is estimated and compared to its carrying value. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. At the end of 2012, 2011 2010, we performed quantitative impairment tests of our trade name assets and no impairment was recorded as a result.

Investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.

Investments in other companies are accounted for under the cost method, if the Company does not exercise significant influence over the other company. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company held an investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C. (the “Boise Investment”) which is accounted for under the cost method. In exchange for its investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C., the Company received voting securities and non-voting securities. The non-voting securities of Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C. accrue dividends. It is the Company’s policy to record the income associated with the dividends on the non-voting

securities as a reduction of operating, selling and general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The voting securities do not accrue dividends. See Note 9, “Investment in Boise Cascade Holdings, L.L.C.,” for additional information related to the Company’s investments in affiliates.

Capitalized Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs related to the acquisition and development of internal use software that is expected to benefit future periods. These costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the expected life of the software, which is typically three to seven years. Other non-current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets include unamortized capitalized software costs of $48.0 million and $32.5 million at December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. Amortization of capitalized software costs totaled $10.3 million, $10.5 million and $17.5 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Software development costs that do not meet the criteria for capitalization are expensed as incurred.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits

The Company sponsors noncontributory defined benefit pension plans covering certain terminated employees, vested employees, retirees and some active employees, primarily in Contract. The Company also sponsors various retiree medical benefit plans. The type of retiree medical benefits and the extent of coverage vary based on employee classification, date of retirement, location, and other factors. The Company explicitly reserves the right to amend or terminate its retiree medical plans at any time, subject only to constraints, if any, imposed by the terms of collective bargaining agreements. Amendment or termination may significantly affect the amount of expense incurred.

The Company recognizes the funded status of its defined benefit pension, retiree healthcare and other postretirement plans in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with changes in the funded status recognized through accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, in the year in which the changes occur. Actuarially-determined liabilities related to pension and postretirement benefits are recorded based on estimates and assumptions. Key factors used in developing estimates of these liabilities include assumptions related to discount rates, rates of return on investments, future compensation costs, healthcare cost trends, benefit payment patterns and other factors.

The Company measures changes in the funded status of its plans using actuarial models. Since the majority of participants in the plans are inactive, the actuarial models use an attribution approach that generally spreads recognition of the effects of individual events over the life expectancies of the participants. Net pension and postretirement benefit income or expense is also determined using assumptions which include discount rates and expected long-term rates of return on plan assets. The Company bases the discount rate assumption on the rates of return for a theoretical portfolio of high-grade corporate bonds (rated AA- or better) with cash flows that generally match our expected benefit payments in future years. The long-term asset return assumption is based on the average rate of earnings expected on invested funds, and considers several factors including the asset allocation, actual historical rates of return, expected rates of return and external data.

The Company’s policy is to fund its pension plans based upon actuarial recommendations and in accordance with applicable laws and income tax regulations. Pension benefits are primarily paid through trusts funded by the Company. All of the Company’s postretirement medical plans are unfunded. The Company pays postretirement benefits directly to the participants.

See Note 12, “Retirement and Benefit Plans,” for additional information related to the Company’s pension and other postretirement benefits.

Facility Closure Reserves

The Company conducts regular reviews of its real estate portfolio to identify underperforming facilities, and closes those facilities that are no longer strategically or economically beneficial. The Company records a liability for the cost associated with a facility closure at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred, primarily the location’s cease-use date. Upon closure, unrecoverable costs are included in facility closure reserves and include provisions for the present value of future lease obligations, less contractual or estimated sublease income. Accretion expense is recognized over the life of the payments. See Note 2, “Facility Closure Reserves,” for additional information related to the Company’s facility closure reserves.

Environmental and Asbestos Matters

Environmental and asbestos liabilities that relate to the operation of the paper and forest products businesses and timberland assets prior to the sale of the paper, forest products and timberland assets continue to be liabilities of OfficeMax. The Company accrues for losses associated with these types of obligations when such losses are probable and reasonably estimated.

Self-insurance

The Company is self-insured for certain losses related to workers’ compensation and medical claims as well as general and auto liability. The expected ultimate cost for claims incurred is recognized as a liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The expected ultimate cost of claims incurred is estimated based principally on an analysis of historical claims data and estimates of claims incurred but not reported. Losses are accrued on a discounted basis and charged to operations when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company is subject to tax audits in numerous jurisdictions in the U.S. and around the world. Tax audits by their very nature are often complex and can require several years to complete. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to challenges from the IRS and other tax authorities regarding amounts of taxes due. These challenges may alter the timing or amount of taxable income or deductions, or the allocation of income among tax jurisdictions. The benefits of tax positions that are more likely than not of being sustained upon audit based on the technical merits of the tax position are recognized in the consolidated financial statements; positions that do not meet this threshold are not recognized. For tax positions that are at least more likely than not of being sustained upon audit, the largest amount of the benefit that is more likely than not of being sustained is recognized in the consolidated financial statements. See Note 7, “Income Taxes,” for further discussion.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making the assessment of whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Accruals for income tax exposures, including penalties and interest, expected to be settled within the next year are included in income tax payable with the remainder included in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Interest and penalties related to income tax exposures are recognized as incurred and included in income tax expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are either expensed the first time the advertising takes place or, in the case of direct-response advertising, capitalized and charged to expense in the periods in which the related sales occur. Advertising expense was $211.6 million in 2012, $225.3 million in 2011 and $228.3 million in 2010, and is recorded in operating, selling and general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Pre-Opening Expenses

The Company incurs certain non-capital expenses prior to the opening of a store. These pre-opening expenses consist primarily of straight-line rent from the date of possession, store payroll and supplies, and are expensed as incurred and reflected in operating, selling and general and administrative expenses. The Company recorded approximately $1.1 million and $1.0 million in pre-opening costs in 2012 and 2011, respectively. No pre-opening costs were recorded in 2010.

Leasing Arrangements

The Company conducts a substantial portion of its business in leased properties. Some of the Company’s leases contain escalation clauses and renewal options. The Company recognizes rental expense for leases that contain predetermined fixed escalation clauses on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the lease. The difference between the amounts charged to expense and the contractual minimum lease payment is recorded in other long-term liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, other long-term liabilities included approximately $47.2 million and $52.3 million, respectively, related to these future escalation clauses.

The expected term of a lease is calculated from the date the Company first takes possession of the facility, including any periods of free rent and any option or renewal periods management believes are probable of exercise. This expected term is used in the determination of whether a lease is capital or operating and in the calculation of straight-line rent expense. Rent abatements and escalations are considered in the calculation of minimum lease payments in the Company’s capital lease tests and in determining straight-line rent expense for operating leases. Straight-line rent expense is also adjusted to reflect any allowances or reimbursements provided by the lessor.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The Company records all derivative instruments on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments are recorded in current earnings or deferred in accumulated other comprehensive loss, depending on whether a derivative is designated as, and is effective as, a hedge and on the type of hedging transaction. Changes in fair value of derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income loss until the underlying hedged transactions are recognized in earnings, at which time any deferred hedging gains or losses are also recorded in earnings. If a derivative instrument is designated as a fair value hedge, changes in the fair value of the instrument are reported in current earnings and offset the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments. The Company has no material outstanding derivative instruments at December 29, 2012 and did not have any material hedge transactions in 2012, 2011 or 2010.

Recently Issued or Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

In July 2012, the FASB issued guidance that permits an entity to make a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset, other than goodwill, is impaired. If, after making the qualitative assessment, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, then performing a quantitative impairment test is unnecessary. This guidance, which was adopted for the third quarter of 2012, did not have any impact on the Company’s results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance which expands disclosure requirements for other comprehensive income. The guidance requires the reporting of the effect of the reclassification of items out of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) on each affected net income line item. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2012 and is to be applied prospectively. The adoption of this guidance affects the presentation of certain elements of the Company’s financial statements, but these changes in presentation will not have a material impact on our financial statements.