INCOME TAXES

9 Months Ended

Apr. 01, 2023

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

Effective Tax Rate

The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2023 were 22.46% and 21.92%, respectively. The third quarter was favorably impacted by a cumulative effect of the change in the effective tax rate. The first 39 weeks of fiscal 2023 were favorably impacted by the benefit of the pension buyout and excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation.

The effective tax rates for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2022 were 21.31% and 23.18%, respectively. The effective tax rate for the third quarter and first 39 weeks of fiscal 2022 was favorably impacted by the excess tax benefits of equity-based compensation and the impact of non-taxable corporate-owned life insurance policies. For the first 39 weeks of fiscal 2022, these were partially offset by the increase in our reserve for uncertain tax positions recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 2022.

Uncertain Tax Positions

As of April 1, 2023, the gross amount of unrecognized tax benefit and related accrued interest was $32.4 million and $7.4 million, respectively. It is reasonably possible that the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit with respect to certain unrecognized tax positions of the company will increase or decrease in the next 12 months. At this time, an estimate of the range of the reasonably possible change cannot be made.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, Sysco received a Statutory Notice of Deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service, mainly related to foreign tax credits generated in fiscal 2018 from repatriated earnings primarily from our Canadian operations. In the fourth quarter (April 18th) of fiscal 2023, the company filed suit in the U.S. Tax Court challenging the validity of certain tax regulations related to the one-time transition tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings, which was enacted as part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). The lawsuit seeks to have the court invalidate these regulations, which would affirm the company’s position regarding its foreign tax credits. Sysco has previously recorded a benefit of $131.0 million attributable to its interpretation of the TCJA and the Internal Revenue Code. If the company is ultimately unsuccessful in defending its position, it may be required to reverse all, or some portion, of the benefit previously recorded.

Other

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (Inflation Reduction Act) was enacted on August 16, 2022. The Inflation Reduction Act imposes a new 15% corporate alternative minimum tax (CAMT) on “applicable corporations” for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2022. The CAMT is imposed to the extent the alternative minimum tax exceeds a corporation’s regular tax liability. A corporation that pays alternative minimum tax is eligible for a credit against income tax in future years.

The determination of the company’s provision for income taxes requires judgment, the use of estimates and the interpretation and application of complex tax laws. The company’s provision for income taxes reflects income earned and taxed in the various United States (U.S.) federal and state, as well as foreign jurisdictions. Tax law changes, increases or decreases in permanent book versus tax basis differences, accruals or adjustments of accruals for unrecognized tax benefits or valuation allowances, and the company’s change in the mix of earnings from these taxing jurisdictions all affect the overall effective tax rate.