Taxes on Earnings (Loss)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 30, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Taxes on Earnings (Loss)

Taxes on Earnings (Loss)

On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law. The CARES Act made several significant changes to business tax provisions, including modifications for net operating losses, employee retention credits, and deferral of employer payroll tax payments. The modifications for net operating losses eliminate the taxable income limitation for certain net operating losses and allow the carry back of net operating losses arising in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the five prior tax years, respectively. Subsequently, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (“CAA”) and the American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) were signed into law on December 27, 2020 and March 11, 2021, respectively. The CAA and ARPA made several changes to business tax provisions, including increasing and extending the employee retention credits through December 31, 2021, extending certain employment-related tax credits through December 31, 2025, and limiting certain executive compensation deductions, effective fiscal 2027.

The Company’s effective tax rates for the three month periods ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, were approximately 24% and 4%, respectively. The increase in the effective tax rate of 20% for the three month period ended October 30, 2021 compared to the three month period ended October 31, 2020 was primarily due to fluctuations in pre-tax earnings (loss).

The Company’s effective tax rates for the nine month periods ended October 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, were approximately 24% and 45%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate of 21% for the nine month period ended October 30, 2021 compared to the nine month period ended October 31, 2020 was primarily due to fluctuations in pre-tax earnings (loss). The Company's effective tax rate is impacted by changes in tax law and accounting guidance, location of new stores, level of earnings, tax effects associated with share-based compensation, and uncertain tax positions.

As of October 30, 2021, January 30, 2021, and October 31, 2020, the reserves for unrecognized tax benefits were $76.9 million, $67.9 million, and $76.1 million, inclusive of $9.8 million, $7.7 million, and $9.4 million of related interest and penalties, respectively. The Company accounts for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a part of its provision for taxes on earnings. If recognized, $61.4 million would impact the Company’s effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that certain state tax matters may be concluded or statutes of limitations may lapse during the next 12 months. Accordingly, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits may decrease by up to $9.5 million. The difference between the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits and the amounts that would impact the effective tax rate relates to amounts attributable to deferred income tax assets and liabilities. These amounts are net of federal and state income taxes.

The Company is open to audit by the Internal Revenue Service under the statute of limitations for fiscal years 2018 through 2020. The Company’s state income tax returns are generally open to audit under the various statutes of limitations for fiscal years 2016 through 2020. Certain state tax returns are currently under audit by various tax authorities. The Company does not expect the results of these audits to have a material impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements.