Income taxes

6 Months Ended

Aug. 02, 2019

Income taxes

Income taxes

3. Income taxes

Under the accounting standards for income taxes, the asset and liability method is used for computing the future income tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or income tax returns.

Income tax reserves are determined using the methodology established by accounting standards for income taxes which require companies to assess each income tax position taken using the following two-step approach. A determination is first made as to whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, based upon the technical merits, upon examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is expected to meet the more likely than not criteria, the benefit recorded for the tax position equals the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement of the respective tax position.

The Company’s 2014 and earlier tax years are not open for further examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS, at its discretion, may choose to examine the Company’s 2015 through 2017 fiscal year income tax filings. The Company has various state income tax examinations that are currently in progress. Generally, with few exceptions, the Company’s 2015 and later tax years remain open for examination by the various state taxing authorities.

As of August 2, 2019, the total reserves for uncertain tax benefits, interest expense related to income taxes and potential income tax penalties were $5.0 million, $1.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively, for a total of $6.9 million. This total amount is reflected in noncurrent other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions will not be reduced in the coming twelve months as a result of expiring statutes of limitations. As of August 2, 2019, approximately $5.0 million of the reserve for uncertain tax positions would impact the Company’s effective income tax rate if the Company were to recognize the tax benefit for these positions.

The effective income tax rates for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 2, 2019 were 22.9% and 21.9%, respectively, compared to rates of 21.5% and 21.6%, respectively, for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 3, 2018. The tax rates for the 13-week and 26-week periods were higher than the comparable 13-week and 26-week periods in 2018 primarily due to an increase in state income taxes resulting from law changes, which was partially offset by greater tax benefits associated with share-based compensation.