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Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
May 31, 2025
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
Income before income taxes consists of the following components for the fiscal years ended May 31:
(In thousands)202520242023
U.S. operations$2,117,251 $1,860,859 $1,632,391 
Foreign operations146,951 112,776 60,757 
$2,264,202 $1,973,635 $1,693,148 
Income tax expense consists of the following components for the fiscal years ended May 31:
(In thousands)202520242023
Current:  
Federal$352,652 $327,616 $248,413 
State and local96,808 79,583 56,589 
Foreign10,580 25,344 13,205 
460,040 432,543 318,207 
Deferred(8,119)(30,500)26,931 
$451,921 $402,043 $345,138 

Reconciliation of income tax expense using the statutory rate and actual income tax expense is as follows for the fiscal years ended May 31:
(In thousands)202520242023
Income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate$475,482 $414,463 $355,561 
Permanent differences (1)
(75,966)(67,310)(59,502)
State and local income taxes, net of federal benefit64,052 49,560 46,245 
Other(11,647)5,330 2,834 
$451,921 $402,043 $345,138 
(1)    Primarily consists of the excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation.

The components of deferred income taxes included on the consolidated balance sheets are as follows at May 31:
(In thousands)20252024
Deferred tax assets:  
Allowance for credit losses$17,352 $13,478 
Inventory reserves17,734 18,913 
Insurance reserves45,029 45,154 
Stock-based compensation66,260 71,146 
Net operating loss and foreign related carry-forwards1,630 2,169 
Operating lease liabilities58,219 48,964 
Deferred compensation and other132,210 114,786 
338,434 314,610 
Valuation allowance(1,556)(2,129)
336,878 312,481 
Deferred tax liabilities:  
Uniform and other rental items in service274,781 251,394 
Property and equipment163,247 175,214 
Intangibles and other amortizable assets173,362 178,583 
Treasury locks37,014 37,202 
Capitalized contract costs95,069 91,551 
Operating lease right-of-use assets58,219 48,964 
State taxes and other6,926 5,085 
808,618 787,993 
Net deferred tax liability$471,740 $475,512 
Although realization is not assured, management has evaluated its deferred tax assets to determine whether a valuation allowance is required or should be adjusted. This evaluation considers, among other items, the nature, frequency and amount of recent losses, reversal periods of taxable temporary differences, duration of statutory periods and tax planning strategies. As a result of this analysis, management believes it is more likely than not that the recorded deferred tax assets will be realized.

Income taxes paid were $454.9 million, $423.1 million and $291.9 million for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

As of May 31, 2025 and 2024, there was $47.8 million and $32.7 million, net of federal benefit, respectively, in total unrecognized tax benefits, which, if recognized, would favorably impact Cintas' effective tax rate. Cintas recognizes interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits and penalties in income tax expense in the consolidated statements of income, which is consistent with the recognition of these items in prior reporting periods. The total amount accrued for interest and penalties as of May 31, 2025 and 2024, was $5.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Cintas records this tax liability in long-term accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of the gross unrecognized tax benefits (exclusive of interest and penalties) is as follows:
(In thousands) 
Balance at June 1, 2023$36,754 
Additions for tax positions of the current year10,895 
Additions for tax positions of prior years4,864 
Settlements(7,325)
Statute expirations(3,442)
Balance at May 31, 202441,746 
Additions for tax positions of the current year14,001 
Additions for tax positions of prior years3,791 
Statute expirations(1,530)
Balance at May 31, 2025$58,008 

The majority of Cintas' operations are in North America. Cintas is required to file U.S. federal income tax returns, as well as state income tax returns in a majority of the domestic states and also in certain Canadian provinces. At times, Cintas is subject to audits in these jurisdictions. The audits, by nature, are sometimes complex and can require several years to resolve. The final resolution of any such tax audit could result in either a reduction in Cintas' accruals or an increase in its income tax expense, either of which could have an impact on the consolidated results of operation in any given period.

All U.S. federal income tax returns are closed to audit through fiscal 2021. Cintas is currently in various audits in certain foreign jurisdictions and certain domestic states. The years under foreign and domestic state audits cover fiscal years back to 2020. Based on the status and resolution of the various audits and other potential regulatory developments, it is expected that the balance of unrecognized tax benefits will not materially change for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2026.

Foreign Withholding Tax
The Company asserts that all foreign earnings will be indefinitely reinvested, with the exception of certain foreign investments in which earnings and cash generation are in excess of local needs. With the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in the U.S., dividends of earnings from non-U.S. operations are generally no longer subject to U.S. income tax. Cintas continues to analyze the estimated impact of the non-U.S. income and withholding tax liabilities based on the source of these earnings, as well as the expected means through which those earnings may be taxed; however, the unrecorded tax is not material to the consolidated financial statements.