Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Oct. 29, 2011
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Note K. Income Taxes TJX is subject to income tax in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. TJX's effective income tax rate was 38.8% for the fiscal 2012 third quarter and 37.6% for last year's third quarter. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended October 29, 2011 was 38.2% as compared to 38.1% for last year's comparable period. The increase in the income tax rate for both the third quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of previously disclosed one-time favorable discrete items in the third quarter of fiscal 2011. TJX is engaged in ongoing discussions and proceedings with taxing authorities in the U.S. and foreign countries. In nearly all jurisdictions, TJX's income taxes for the tax years through fiscal 2003 are no longer subject to examination. In evaluating the tax benefits associated with various tax filing positions, TJX records a tax benefit for uncertain tax positions using the highest cumulative tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized and records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued penalties and interest, on its consolidated balance sheets. TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $125.1 million as of October 29, 2011 and $119.4 million as of October 30, 2010. TJX adjusts its liability for unrecognized tax benefits based on the outcome of tax examinations or judicial or administrative proceedings, as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations or when more information becomes available, and such adjustments may be material. During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that as a result of tax examinations of prior years' tax returns and related proceedings, the total net amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by a range of $1.0 million to $42.0 million, which would reduce the provision for taxes on earnings correspondingly.

Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Oct. 29, 2011

Note K. Income Taxes

TJX is subject to income tax in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. TJX's effective income tax rate was 38.8% for the fiscal 2012 third quarter and 37.6% for last year's third quarter. The effective income tax rate for the nine months ended October 29, 2011 was 38.2% as compared to 38.1% for last year's comparable period. The increase in the income tax rate for both the third quarter and year-to-date periods of fiscal 2012 was primarily due to the recognition of previously disclosed one-time favorable discrete items in the third quarter of fiscal 2011.

TJX is engaged in ongoing discussions and proceedings with taxing authorities in the U.S. and foreign countries. In nearly all jurisdictions, TJX's income taxes for the tax years through fiscal 2003 are no longer subject to examination. In evaluating the tax benefits associated with various tax filing positions, TJX records a tax benefit for uncertain tax positions using the highest cumulative tax benefit that is more likely than not to be realized and records a liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including accrued penalties and interest, on its consolidated balance sheets. TJX had net unrecognized tax benefits of $125.1 million as of October 29, 2011 and $119.4 million as of October 30, 2010.

TJX adjusts its liability for unrecognized tax benefits based on the outcome of tax examinations or judicial or administrative proceedings, as a result of the expiration of statute of limitations or when more information becomes available, and such adjustments may be material. During the next twelve months, it is reasonably possible that as a result of tax examinations of prior years' tax returns and related proceedings, the total net amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by a range of $1.0 million to $42.0 million, which would reduce the provision for taxes on earnings correspondingly.