Income taxes

9 Months Ended

Nov. 03, 2023

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 2019 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 2020 through 2022 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 2020 and later tax years remain open for examination by the various state taxing authorities.

As of November 3, 2023, the total reserves for uncertain tax benefits, interest expense related to income taxes and potential income tax penalties were $14.8 million, $1.0 million and $0.0 million, respectively, for a total of $15.8 million. The uncertain tax liability is reflected in noncurrent other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions is expected to be reduced by $1.9 million in the coming twelve months as a result of expiring statutes of limitations or settlements. As of November 3, 2023, approximately $12.6 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 39-week periods ended November 3, 2023 were 21.3% and 22.1% respectively, compared to rates of 22.8% and 22.2% for the 13-week and 39-week periods ended October 28, 2022. The effective income tax rate was lower for the 13-week period in 2023 than the comparable 13-week period in 2022 primarily due to increased benefits from federal employment tax credits and an increased benefit to the effective tax rate from rate-impacting items caused by lower earnings before taxes in the 13-week period in 2023 offset by a higher state effective tax rate. The effective income tax rate was lower for the 39-week period in 2023 than the comparable 39-week period in 2022 primarily due to a reduced benefit from stock-based compensation and a higher state effective income tax rate offset by an increased benefit to the effective tax rate from rate-impacting items caused by lower earnings before taxes in the 39-week period in 2023.