INCOME TAXES

4 Months Ended

May 23, 2020

TAXES BASED ON INCOME

INCOME TAXES

8. INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate was 23.5% and 22.8% for the first quarters of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The effective income tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019 differed from the federal statutory rate due to the effect of state income taxes partially offset by the utilization of tax credits and deductions.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which was enacted on March 27, 2020, includes measures to assist companies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  These measures include deferring the due dates of tax payments and other changes to income and non-income-based tax laws. As permitted under the CARES Act, the Company deferred its first quarter 2020 federal estimated tax payment of $150 to July 15, 2020.  The Company will also defer the remittance of the employer portion of the social security tax. The social security tax provision requires that the deferred employment tax be paid over two years, with half of the amount required to be paid by December 31, 2021 and the other half by December 31, 2022. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company deferred the employer portion of social security tax of $157 which is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The $157 deferral is included in “Other” within “Changes in operating assets and liabilities net of effects from mergers and disposals of businesses” in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.