INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Nov. 28, 2021

INCOME TAXES

INCOME TAXES

3.    INCOME TAXES

Income tax expense was $9.6 million and $31.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended November 28, 2021 and November 29, 2020, respectively; and $18.3 million and $59.9 million for the twenty-six weeks ended November 28, 2021 and November 29, 2020, respectively. The effective income tax rate (calculated as the ratio of income tax expense to pre-tax income, inclusive of equity method investment earnings) was 22.8% and 24.8% for the thirteen weeks ended November 28, 2021 and November 29, 2020, respectively; and 22.7% and 24.3% for the twenty-six weeks ended November 28, 2021 and November 29, 2020, respectively, in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings. The effective tax rate varies from the U.S. statutory tax rate of 21% principally due to the impact of U.S. state taxes, foreign taxes, permanent differences, and discrete items.

Income Taxes Paid

Income taxes paid, net of refunds were $10.3 million and $24.0 million during the twenty-six weeks ended November 28, 2021 and November 29, 2020, respectively.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

There have been no material changes to the unrecognized tax benefits disclosed in Note 3, Income Taxes, of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in "Part II, Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of the Form 10-K. The expiration of statute of limitations could reduce the uncertain tax positions by approximately $7 million during the next 12 months.