Note 9 - Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2014

INCOME TAXES

The Company’s effective tax rates for the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended November 30, 2014 were 1.8% and 13.8%, respectively, compared to 3.3% and 3.7%, respectively, for the 13 weeks and 39 weeks ended December 1, 2013. The effective rates varied from the U.S. Federal statutory rate primarily due to the varying amounts of taxable earnings in jurisdictions with varying income tax rates and a tax refund described below.

The effective tax rate for the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2014 was lower than the effective tax rate for the 39 weeks ended November 30, 2014 primarily as a result of discrete tax adjustments recorded in the 13 weeks ended November 30, 2014 related to restructuring charges.

During the 2011 and 2012 fiscal years, the Company filed amended tax returns for the 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 fiscal years with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to claim a refund of taxes paid. The Company evaluated the tax position related to the claim for refund at June 2, 2013 and concluded that the tax position did not meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold. During the 13 weeks ended September 1, 2013, the IRS notified the Company that it had completed its examination and approved a portion of the Company’s refund claim in the amount of $1,949 plus interest. As a result, the Company reduced its total amount of unrecognized tax benefits reported at March 3, 2013 by $2,715. The Company recognized a tax benefit of $1,949 while no tax benefit was recognized for the remaining reduction in unrecognized tax benefits. The Company recorded a receivable for the net refund of $2,181, which was received subsequent to the period ended September 1, 2013. The unrecognized tax benefits recognized and interest received affected the effective tax rate and was recorded as a discrete tax benefit during the 13 weeks ended September 1, 2013.

The Company continuously evaluates the liquidity and capital requirements of its operations in the United States and of its foreign subsidiaries.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.

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