Income taxes

6 Months Ended

Aug. 02, 2024

Income taxes

Income taxes

3. Income taxes

Under the accounting standards for income taxes, the asset and liability method is used for computing the future income tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s consolidated financial statements or income tax returns.

Income tax reserves are determined using the methodology established by accounting standards for income taxes which require companies to assess each income tax position taken using the following two-step approach. A determination is first made as to whether it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained, based upon the technical merits, upon examination by the taxing authorities. If the tax position is expected to meet the more likely than not criteria, the benefit recorded for the tax position equals the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement of the respective tax position.

The Company’s 2019 and earlier tax years are not open for further examination by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). The IRS, at its discretion, may choose to examine the Company’s 2020 through 2022 fiscal year income tax filings. The Company has various state income tax examinations that are currently in progress. Generally, with few exceptions, the Company’s 2020 and later tax years remain open for examination by the various state taxing authorities.

As of August 2, 2024, the total reserves for uncertain tax benefits, interest expense related to income taxes and potential income tax penalties were $11.2 million, $1.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for a total of $13.6 million. The uncertain tax liability is reflected in noncurrent other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions is expected to be reduced by $2.1 million in the coming twelve months resulting from expiring statutes of limitations or settlements. As of August 2, 2024, approximately $11.2 million of the reserve for uncertain tax positions would impact the Company’s effective income tax rate if the Company were to recognize the tax benefit for these positions.

The effective income tax rate for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 2, 2024 was 22.3% and 22.8% respectively, compared to a rate of 22.9% and 22.3% for the 13-week and 26-week periods ended August 4, 2023. The effective income tax rate was lower for the 13-week period in 2024 than the comparable 13-week period in 2023 primarily due to the effect of certain rate-impacting items, such as federal tax credits, on lower earnings before taxes. The effective income tax rate was higher for the 26-week period in 2024 than the comparable 26-week period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in the state effective tax rate and expense from stock-based compensation offset by the effect of certain rate-impacting items, such as federal tax credits, on lower earnings before taxes in the 26-week period in 2024.

The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development has proposed a global minimum tax of 15% on a country-by-country basis (“Pillar Two”). Pursuant to Pillar Two, countries have enacted minimum tax rates of 15% effective for the 2024 tax year while other countries have enacted or proposed legislation making the 15% minimum tax rate effective for the 2025 tax year or later. The Company operates in a country that is currently assessing the enactment of the 15% minimum tax rate beginning in 2025. If enacted, the Company does not believe it will have a material impact on tax expense.