Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2011

INCOME TAXES

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method in accordance with FASB ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” (“ASC 740”), formerly SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income in the period that includes the enactment date.

We account for uncertainties in income taxes pursuant to ASC 740, formerly FASB Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements. We recognize tax liabilities for uncertain income tax positions (“unrecognized tax benefits”) pursuant to ASC 740 where an evaluation has indicated that it is more likely than not that the tax positions will not be sustained in an audit. We estimate the unrecognized tax benefits as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We re-evaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis or when new information becomes available to management. The re-evaluations are based on many factors, including but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, settled issues as a result of audits, expirations due to statutes of limitations, and new federal or state audit activity. We also recognize accrued interest and penalties related to these unrecognized tax benefits. Changes in these accrued items are included in the provision for income taxes in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

		The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 was 38.9% as compared with 39.4% for the first quarter of fiscal year 2010. The rate decrease for the first quarter of fiscal year 2011 was primarily driven by lower state income taxes. We anticipate that this lower state income tax rate will continue for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, assuming no significant changes to U.S. federal or state tax rules.

		Significant changes to U.S. federal or state income tax rules could occur as part of future legislation. Such changes could influence our future income tax expense and/or the timing of income tax deductions. The impact of such changes on our business operations and financial statements remains uncertain. However, as the possibility of any enactment progresses, we will continue to monitor current developments and assess the potential implications of these tax law changes on our business and consolidated financial statements.

		We file a federal income tax return and state and local income tax returns in various jurisdictions. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) has audited tax returns through fiscal year 2008, including its examination of the tax returns for fiscal years 2007 and 2008 which was finalized in October 2010. No material adjustments were required to these tax returns as a result of the examination by the IRS. For the years before fiscal year 2007, the majority of our state and local income tax returns are no longer subject to examinations by taxing authorities.