Contingent Obligations and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingent Obligations and Contingencies

Contingent Obligations and Contingencies

Contingent Obligations

TJX has contingent obligations on leases, for which it was a lessee or guarantor, which were assigned to third parties without TJX being released by the landlords. We have had numerous leases from our former operations where our guarantee required us to satisfy some of these lease obligations and we established appropriate reserves. We may be contingently liable on up to eight leases of former TJX businesses, for which we believe the likelihood of future liability to TJX is remote. We may also be contingently liable for assignments and subleases if the subtenants or assignees do not fulfill their obligations. TJX estimates the undiscounted value of these contingent obligations as of October 31, 2020 to be approximately $12 million. TJX believes that most or all of these contingent obligations will not revert to the Company and, to the extent they do, may be resolved for substantially less due to mitigating factors including TJX's expectation to further sublet.

TJX is a party to various agreements under which it may be obligated to indemnify the other party with respect to certain losses related to matters including title to assets sold, specified environmental matters or certain income taxes. These obligations are often limited in time and amount. There are no amounts reflected in our Consolidated Balance Sheets with respect to these contingent obligations.

Contingencies

TJX is subject to certain legal proceedings, lawsuits, disputes and claims that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of our business. In addition, TJX is a defendant in several lawsuits filed in federal and state courts brought as putative class or collective actions on behalf of various groups of current and former salaried and hourly Associates in the U.S. The lawsuits allege violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and of state wage and hour and other labor statutes. The lawsuits are in various procedural stages and seek monetary damages, injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. In connection with ongoing litigation, an immaterial amount has been accrued in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements.