Income Taxes	6 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2012
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The provision for income taxes is based on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate and is adjusted as necessary for quarterly events. The Company’s quarterly effective tax rate does not reflect a benefit associated with losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries. For the second quarter of 2012 and year-to-date 2012, the Company’s effective tax rates were 37.4% and 39.4%, respectively. The 2012 second quarter rate was lower than the Company's combined estimated federal and state rate of 39.0% primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters. The 2012 year-to-date rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state rate of 39.0% primarily due to losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries. For the second quarter of 2011 and year-to-date 2011, the Company’s effective tax rates were 16.2% and 24.5%, respectively. The 2011 rates were lower than the Company's combined estimated federal and state rate primarily due to tax benefits associated with the Company's charitable contribution of Express shares to The Limited Brands Foundation. Income taxes paid were approximately $100 million and $138 million for the second quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Income taxes paid approximated $288 million and $353 million for year-to-date 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jul. 28, 2012

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Abstract]

The provision for income taxes is based on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate and is adjusted as necessary for quarterly events. The Company’s quarterly effective tax rate does not reflect a benefit associated with losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries.

For the second quarter of 2012 and year-to-date 2012, the Company’s effective tax rates were 37.4% and 39.4%, respectively. The 2012 second quarter rate was lower than the Company's combined estimated federal and state rate of 39.0% primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters. The 2012 year-to-date rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state rate of 39.0% primarily due to losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries.

For the second quarter of 2011 and year-to-date 2011, the Company’s effective tax rates were 16.2% and 24.5%, respectively. The 2011 rates were lower than the Company's combined estimated federal and state rate primarily due to tax benefits associated with the Company's charitable contribution of Express shares to The Limited Brands Foundation.

Income taxes paid were approximately $100 million and $138 million for the second quarter of 2012 and 2011, respectively. Income taxes paid approximated $288 million and $353 million for year-to-date 2012 and 2011, respectively.