INCOME TAXES

6 Months Ended

Aug. 15, 2020

TAXES BASED ON INCOME

INCOME TAXES

9. INCOME TAXES

The effective income tax rate was 22.7% in the second quarter of 2020, compared to 24.5% in the second quarter of 2019.  The effective income tax rate was 23.2% for the first two quarters of 2020, compared to 23.3% for the first two quarters of 2019.  The effective income tax rate for the second quarter and first two quarters of 2020 differed from the federal statutory rate due to the effect of state income taxes, partially offset by the utilization of tax credits and deductions and the benefit from share-based payments. The effective income tax rate for the second quarter of 2019 and the first two quarters of 2019 differed from the federal statutory rate due to the effect of state income taxes and tax expense related to share-based payments, 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 a provision that allows employers to defer the remittance of the employer portion of the social security tax. The deferred employment tax must 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 two quarters of 2020, the Company deferred the employer portion of social security tax of $329 which is included in “Other long-term liabilities” in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The $329 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.