INCOME TAXES

Total income tax expense was allocated as follows:



	Fiscal Year
(in millions)	2017			2016		2015
Earnings from continuing operations	$	154.8		$	90.0	$	(21.1	)
Earnings from discontinued operations	(4.2		)	3.4		344.8
Total consolidated income tax expense	$	150.6		$	93.4	$	323.7

The components of earnings from continuing operations before income taxes and the provision for income taxes thereon are as follows:



	Fiscal Year
(in millions)	2017			2016			2015
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes:
U.S.	$	632.3		$	450.6		$	179.9
Foreign	5.0			(0.9		)	(4.6		)
Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes	$	637.3		$	449.7		$	175.3
Income taxes:
Current:
Federal	$	160.5		$	89.1		$	(12.7	)
State and local	22.2			2.7			(8.0		)
Foreign	1.3			1.9			6.9
Total current	$	184.0		$	93.7		$	(13.8	)
Deferred (principally U.S.):
Federal	$	(24.1	)	$	(2.4	)	$	—
State and local	(5.1		)	(1.3		)	(7.3		)
Total deferred	$	(29.2	)	$	(3.7	)	$	(7.3	)
Total income taxes	$	154.8		$	90.0		$	(21.1	)

The following table is a reconciliation of the U.S. statutory income tax rate to the effective income tax rate from continuing operations included in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings:



	Fiscal Year
	2017		2016		2015
U.S. statutory rate	35.0	%	35.0	%	35.0	%
State and local income taxes, net of federal tax benefits	1.7		1.2		(6.6	)
Benefit of federal income tax credits	(9.2	)	(12.5	)	(34.0	)
Other, net	(3.2	)	(3.7	)	(6.4	)
Effective income tax rate	24.3	%	20.0	%	(12.0	)%

As of May 28, 2017, we had estimated current prepaid state income taxes of $6.2 million which is included on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as prepaid income taxes and estimated current federal income taxes payable of $1.9 million, which are included on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets as accrued income taxes.

As of May 28, 2017, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $16.4 million, which represents the aggregate tax effect of the differences between tax return positions and benefits recognized in our consolidated financial statements, all of which would favorably affect the effective tax rate if resolved in our favor. Included in the balance of unrecognized tax benefits at May 28, 2017, is $0.7 million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts could change during the next 12 months based on the outcome of examinations. The $0.7 million relates to items that would impact our effective income tax rate.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:



(in millions)
Balances at May 29, 2016	$	14.3
Additions related to current-year tax positions	4.6
Reductions due to settlements with taxing authorities	(0.2		)
Reductions to tax positions due to statute expiration	(2.3		)
Balances at May 28, 2017	$	16.4

We recognize accrued interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Penalties, when incurred, are recognized in general and administrative expense. Interest expense associated with unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the release of accrued interest related to prior year matters due to settlement or the lapse of the statute of limitations was as follows:



	Fiscal Year
(in millions)	2017		2016		2015
Interest expense on unrecognized tax benefits	$	0.6	$	0.5	$	1.1

At May 28, 2017, we had $0.9 million accrued for the payment of interest associated with unrecognized tax benefits.

For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we participate in the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Compliance Assurance Process (CAP), whereby our U.S. federal income tax returns are reviewed by the IRS both prior to and after their filing. Income tax returns are subject to audit by state and local governments, generally years after the returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws. The major jurisdictions in which the Company files income tax returns include the U.S. federal jurisdiction, Canada, and all states in the U.S. that have an income tax. With a few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before fiscal 2016, and state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before fiscal 2012.

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:



(in millions)	May 28, 2017			May 29, 2016
Accrued liabilities	$	137.1		$	109.4
Compensation and employee benefits	174.6			176.0
Deferred rent and interest income	110.3			97.8
Net operating loss, credit and charitable contribution carryforwards	78.0			47.1
Other	6.9			5.9
Gross deferred tax assets	$	506.9		$	436.2
Valuation allowance	(17.0		)	(17.0		)
Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance	$	489.9		$	419.2
Trademarks and other acquisition related intangibles	(310.7		)	(226.4		)
Buildings and equipment	(275.4		)	(238.6		)
Capitalized software and other assets	(38.1		)	(34.0		)
Other	(11.4		)	(12.1		)
Gross deferred tax liabilities	$	(635.6	)	$	(511.1	)
Net deferred tax liabilities	$	(145.7	)	$	(91.9	)

Net operating loss, credit and charitable contribution carryforwards have the potential to expire. We have taken current and potential future expirations into consideration when evaluating the need for valuation allowances against these deferred tax assets. A valuation allowance for deferred tax assets is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Realization is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or the reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which our deferred tax assets are deductible, we believe it is more-likely-than-not that we will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances at May 28, 2017.