Advance Auto Parts 2013 Annual Report Download - page 63

ADVANCE AUTO PARTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011
(in thousands, except per share data)
F-11
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method which requires the recognition of deferred
tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements.
Under the asset and liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the
financial statements and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences
are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the
period of the enactment date.
The Company recognizes tax benefits and/or tax liabilities for uncertain income tax positions based on a two-step process.
The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is
more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes,
if any. The second step requires the Company to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than
50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as the
Company must determine the probability of various possible outcomes.
The Company reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis or when new information becomes available to
management. The reevaluations are based on many factors, including but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances,
changes in tax law, successfully settled issues under audit, expirations due to statutes of limitations, and new federal or state
audit activity. Any change in either the Company’s recognition or measurement could result in the recognition of a tax benefit
or an increase to the tax accrual.
The Company also follows guidance provided on other items relevant to the accounting for income taxes throughout the
year, as applicable, including derecognition of benefits, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods,
disclosure and transition. Refer to Note 15, Income Taxes, for a further discussion of income taxes.
Self-Insurance
The Company is self-insured for general and automobile liability, workers’ compensation and health care claims of its
employees, or Team Members, while maintaining stop-loss coverage with third-party insurers to limit its total liability
exposure. Expenses associated with these liabilities are calculated for (i) claims filed, (ii) claims incurred but not yet reported
and (iii) projected future claims using actuarial methods followed in the insurance industry as well as the Company’s historical
claims experience. The Company includes the current and long-term portions of its self-insurance reserve in Accrued expenses
and Other long-term liabilities, respectively.
The following table presents changes in the Company’s total self-insurance reserves:
December 28,
2013
December 29,
2012
December 31,
2011
Self-insurance reserves, beginning of period $ 94,548 $ 98,944 $ 97,070
Additions to self-insurance reserves 120,782 105,670 105,379
Acquired reserves 4,195 — —
Reserves utilized (121,050)(110,066)(103,505)
Self-insurance reserves, end of period $ 98,475 $ 94,548 $ 98,944
Warranty Liabilities
The warranty obligation on the majority of merchandise sold by the Company with a manufacturer's warranty is the
responsibility of the Company’s vendors. However, the Company has an obligation to provide customers free replacement of
certain merchandise or merchandise at a prorated cost if under a warranty and not covered by the manufacturer. Merchandise
sold with warranty coverage by the Company primarily includes batteries but may also include other parts such as brakes and
shocks. The Company estimates its warranty obligation at the time of sale based on the historical return experience, sales level