2.4.0.811201 - Disclosure - Income Taxestruefalsefalse1false falsefalseDuration_2_3_2013_To_8_3_2013http://www.sec.gov/CIK0001166126duration2013-02-03T00:00:002013-08-03T00:00:001true 1jcp_IncomeTaxesAbstractjcp_falsenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00falsefalsefalsexbrli:stringItemTypestringfalse0Income Taxes [Abstract]2false 2us-gaap_IncomeTaxDisclosureTextBlockus-gaap_truenadurationfalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalsefalse1falsefalsefalse00<div> <div style="margin-left:0pt;margin-right:0pt;"> 11.  Income <a name="Income_Taxes"></a>Taxes   For the three months ended August 3, 2013, we recorded our tax provision based on actual year-to-date results.  For the three months ended May 4, 2013 and for the three and six months ended July 28, 2012, we determined the quarterly provision for income taxes using an estimated annual effective tax rate, which was based on our expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate.  The effective tax rate for the three months ended August 3, 2013 was (3.0)% as compared to (39.0)% for the three months ended July 28, 2012.  The effective tax rate for the six months ended August 3, 2013 was (18.9)% compared to (40.7)% for the six months ended July 28, 2012.  Our effective tax rate for the three and six months ended August 3, 2013 was negatively impacted by a $218 million increase to the tax valuation allowance for deferred tax assets during the second quarter of 2013.   In assessing the need for the valuation allowance, we considered both positive and negative evidence related to the likelihood of realization of the deferred tax assets.  In the second quarter, our net deferred tax position, exclusive of any valuation allowance, changed from a net deferred tax liability to a net deferred tax asset.  In addition, we heavily weighted the negative evidence of cumulative losses in recent periods and the positive evidence of future reversals of existing temporary differences.  Although a sizable portion of our losses in recent years were the result of charges incurred for restructuring and other special items, even without these charges we still would have incurred significant losses.  Accordingly, we considered our pattern of recent losses to be relevant to our analysis.  Considering this pattern of recent losses and the uncertainties associated with projected future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences, we gave no weight to projections showing future U.S. taxable income for purposes of assessing the need for a valuation allowance.  As a result of our assessment, we concluded that our net deferred tax assets required a valuation allowance.  Our estimate of the realization of deferred tax assets was based solely on future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and tax planning strategies that we would make use of to accelerate taxable income to utilize expiring carryforwards.   Based on the weight of available evidence, we determined it was more likely than not that a portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, and accordingly, a valuation allowance of $298 million has been recorded against our deferred tax assets as of August 3, 2013.   This resulted in an increase to the valuation allowance during the quarter ended August 3, 2013 of $218 million, of which $183 million relates to the increase in the deferred tax assets created for federal net operating loss carryforwards and $35 million relates to deferred tax assets created for state net operating loss carryforwards.       As a result of the valuation allowance, for the three months ended August 3, 2013, we recorded a net tax benefit of $18 million. The net tax benefit consists of a $9 million benefit related to our federal and state operating losses, a $17 million non-cash benefit relating to other comprehensive income, offset by state and foreign tax expenses of $6 million and $2 million of tax expense on the amortization of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets that were not available to offset existing deferred taxes.  In accordance with accounting standards, we are required to allocate a portion of our tax provision between operating losses and accumulated other comprehensive income.  Application of this guidance required the recognition of a non-cash income tax benefit of $17 million in operating results, offset by a $17 million charge to other comprehensive income for the quarter.       As of August 3, 2013, we have approximately $2.3 billion of net operating losses available for U.S. federal income tax purposes which expire in 2032 and 2033 for which a net deferred tax asset of $613 million has been recorded, net of a valuation allowance of $183 million. A net deferred tax asset of $53 million, net of a valuation allowance of $115 million, has been recorded for state net operating losses that expire at various dates through 2033. </div> </div>falsefalsefalsenonnum:textBlockItemTypenaThe entire disclosure for income taxes. Disclosures may include net deferred tax liability or asset recognized in an enterprise's statement of financial position, net change during the year in the total valuation allowance, approximate tax effect of each type of temporary difference and carryforward that gives rise to a significant portion of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets, utilization of a tax carryback, and tax uncertainties information.Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 15 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32718-109319 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(h)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher SEC -Name Regulation S-X (SX) -Number 210 -Section 08 -Paragraph h -Article 4 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32639-109319 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32537-109319 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6907707&loc=d3e32559-109319 false0Income TaxesfalseIncome TaxesUnKnownUnKnownUnKnownUnKnowntruefalsefalseSheethttp://www.jcpenney.net/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes12