Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for employing multiple subframe configurations. A UE may identify a first reference subframe configuration (RSC) to use as a reference for hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) operations for transmissions on an uplink, and a second RSC to use as a reference for HARQ operations for transmissions on a downlink. The UE may communicate with at least a node on the uplink and the downlink based on the first and second RSCs. In aspects, a base station (BS) may identify a first RSC to use as a reference for HARQ operations for transmissions on an uplink, identify a second RSC to use as a reference for HARQ operations for transmissions on a downlink, and communicate with at least one UE on the uplink and the downlink based on the first and second RSCs.