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Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
May 02, 2020
Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
We have historically calculated the provision for income taxes on the current estimate of the annual effective tax rate and adjusted as necessary for quarterly events. Due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the income tax expense for the thirteen weeks ended May 2, 2020 was computed on a year-to-date effective tax rate.
For the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s effective tax rate was 28.0% compared to 33.6% in the first quarter of 2019. The first quarter of 2020 rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters, which resulted in a $50 million tax benefit, offset by losses related to certain foreign subsidiaries, which generate no tax benefit. The first quarter of 2019 rate was higher than the Company's combined estimated federal and state statutory rate primarily due to the recognition of tax expense on share-based awards that vested in the quarter.
Income taxes paid were $9 million and $12 million for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively.
Uncertain Tax Positions
The Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $88 million as of February 1, 2020, of which $81 million, if recognized, would reduce the effective income tax rate. Through May 2, 2020, the Company had a net decrease to gross unrecognized tax benefits of $41 million, primarily due to the resolution of certain tax matters. The changes to the unrecognized tax benefits resulted in a $40 million benefit to the Company’s Provision for Income Taxes in the first quarter of 2020.
Of the total unrecognized tax benefits as of May 2, 2020, it is reasonably possible that $25 million could change in the next 12 months due to audit settlements, expiration of statute of limitations or other resolution of uncertainties. Due to the uncertain and complex application of tax regulations, it is possible that the ultimate resolution of audits may result in amounts which could be different from this estimate. In such case, the Company will record additional tax expense or tax benefit in the period in which such matters are effectively settled.