Note 5. Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the respective year-end balance sheets are as follows:

	Deferred Tax Asset (Liability)
	February 2, 2013						January 28, 2012
	Current			Noncurrent			Current			Noncurrent
	(In millions)
Net operating loss, general business credit, foreign tax credit and alternative minimum tax credit carryforwards	$	—		$	10		$	—		$	14
Merchandise inventories	(12		)	—			(9		)	—
Accrued expenses	13			1			12			1
State income taxes	(1		)	3			1			3
Vacation accrual	7			—			7			—
Share-based compensation	—			12			—			14
Deferred rent	2			14			—			16
Other deferred tax assets	4			3			6			4
State valuation allowance	—			(10		)	—			(14		)
Bonus accrual	—			3			6			—
Gift cards	4			—			4			—
Property and equipment	—			(29		)	—			(33		)
Foreign taxes	1			—			—			—
Workers’ compensation	19			—			17			—
Cancellation of debt income	—			(39		)	—			(39		)
Original issue discount related to cancellation of debt income	—			41			—			41
Other deferred tax liabilities	(4		)	2			(3		)	—
	$	33		$	11		$	41		$	7
Net deferred tax assets				$	44					$	48

The federal, state and international income tax provision is as follows:

	Fiscal Year
	2012			2011		2010
	(In millions)
Federal:
Current	$	94		$	47	$	45
Deferred	(1		)	28		(21		)
Total federal income tax provision	93			75		24

State:
Current	10			13		9
Deferred	2			2		(4		)
Total state income tax provision	12			15		5

International:
Current	20			22		17
Deferred	(1		)	—		—
Total international income tax provision	19			22		17

Total income tax provision	$	124		$	112	$	46

The reconciliation between the actual income tax provision and the income tax provision calculated by applying the federal statutory tax rate is as follows:

	Fiscal Year
	2012			2011			2010
	(In millions)
Income tax provision at statutory rate	$	118		$	101		$	52
State income taxes, net of federal income tax effect	8			9			2
Federal tax credits	—			(2		)	(2		)
Unrecognized tax benefits	(1		)	1			(4		)
State valuation allowance	—			1			1
Other	(1		)	2			(3		)
Total income tax provision	$	124		$	112		$	46

At February 2, 2013, we had state net operating loss carryforwards to reduce future taxable income of approximately $10 million, net of federal tax benefits, expiring at various dates between fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2032. The valuation allowance related to state net operating loss carryforwards was decreased to $10 million in fiscal 2012 due to the expiration of state net operating losses, and offsets to increased unrecognized tax benefits (liabilities). We believe it is more likely than not that we will be unable to realize these amounts.

Uncertain Tax Positions

We operate in a number of tax jurisdictions and are subject to examination of our income tax returns by tax authorities in those jurisdictions who may challenge any item on these tax returns. Because the tax matters challenged by tax authorities are typically complex, the ultimate outcome of these challenges is uncertain.

In accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes, we recognize the benefits of uncertain tax positions in our financial statements only after determining a more likely than not probability that the uncertain tax positions will be sustained. A reconciliation of unrecognized tax benefits from the end of fiscal year 2011 through the end of fiscal 2012 is as follows:

	Fiscal Year
	2012
	(In millions)
Balance at January 28, 2012	$	11
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year	1
Additions for tax positions related to prior years	1
Reductions for expiration of statute of limitations	(3		)
Settlements with taxing authorities	(3		)
Balance at February 2, 2013	$	7

In fiscal 2012, we released $7 million of valuation allowance against certain state net operating loss carryforwards to offset an increase of $7 million unrecognized tax benefit (liability) recorded as part of our deferred tax assets (liabilities). These unrecognized tax benefits are associated with the tax positions taken in the tax years that resulted in the net operating loss carry-forwards.

Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at February 2, 2013, is $6 million in unrecognized tax benefits, the recognition of which would have an affect on the effective tax rate. This amount differs from the gross unrecognized tax benefits presented in the table above due to the increase in U.S. federal income taxes which would occur upon recognition of penalties and interest from uncertain tax positions, offset by the state tax benefits included therein.

Our policy is to classify all income tax related interest and penalties as income tax expense. During the year ended February 2, 2013, we recognized a benefit of $2 million in income tax interest and penalties. As of February 2, 2013, our accrual for potential payments of interest and penalties was $2 million.

We identified our federal return, Canadian tax return, and state returns in California, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Texas as “major” jurisdictions. The periods subject to examination for our federal return are fiscal 2009 to present, fiscal 2007 to present for our Canadian returns, and fiscal 2006 to present for all major state tax returns. The pretax income from foreign operations for fiscal 2012, fiscal 2011, and fiscal 2010 was $52 million, $51 million, and $52 million, respectively.