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Floor & Decor Holdings Employees: Strategic Ways to Reduce Capital Gains on Appreciated Stock

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'Floor & Decor Holdings employees can benefit from understanding that strategies like a Section 351 exchange, charitable donations, and tax loss harvesting may work together to help manage appreciated stock efficiently while aligning with broader long-term financial goals.' – Tyson Mavar, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

'Floor & Decor Holdings employees should recognize that thoughtful planning with tools such as Section 351 exchanges, gifting strategies, and tax loss harvesting can help them manage highly appreciated stock while supporting both personal and philanthropic objectives.' – Wesley Boudreaux, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article we will discuss:

How a Section 351 exchange can defer capital gains on highly appreciated stock.
Alternative tax-efficient strategies such as charitable donations, tax loss harvesting, and gifting.
The role of inheritance rules, step-up in basis, and combined approaches in long-term tax planning.

A Tax-Aware Q&A on How to Manage Highly Appreciated Stock

From the Section 351 exchange to other practical approaches, this Q&A addresses key considerations Floor & Decor Holdings employees may encounter when dealing with highly appreciated shares.

Section 351 Exchange: The Fundamental Approach

Q: What is an exchange under Section 351?
A: Under certain circumstances, an investor may transfer property, such as highly appreciated shares, to a company in exchange for its stock under a provision of the Internal Revenue Code that allows the deferral of capital gains or losses.

Q: What is the primary advantage of exchanging my appreciated stock through a Section 351 exchange?
A: The main advantage is tax deferral. Gains transferred to corporations may be postponed under Section 351, though this applies only if specific diversification requirements are met, especially when transferring to investment companies like exchange-traded funds (ETFs). ¹

Q: What is meant by the “Control Test”?
A: The investor or group of investors who use their portfolio assets to fund the new entity must own at least 80% of the voting power and 80% of the total number of shares of all other classes of stock in the new company immediately after the exchange. ¹

Q: When seeding an ETF, how is the Control Test usually satisfied?
A: It is typically satisfied by either a single substantial investor making a significant asset contribution or multiple investors pooling assets to create a seeding pool for the ETF’s launch.

Q: What is the ultimate tax payment date for the deferred gain?
A: The deferred gain is recognized when the ETF shares acquired through the exchange are sold; distributions from taxable funds must also be reported in the meantime.

Other Tax-Efficient Techniques

Q: What is a straightforward method, aside from a Section 351 exchange, to sell highly appreciated shares without incurring large taxes?
A: Donating shares directly to a qualified charity is one option that some Floor & Decor Holdings employees may benefit from.

Q: What tax advantages come with donating valuable stock to a charity?
A: Subject to holding period and adjusted gross income (AGI) limits, you can bypass capital gains taxes on the appreciation and may receive an income tax deduction for the stock’s full fair market value.

Q: What is a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF)?
A: A DAF allows you to donate appreciated stock, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants to charities over time, while the assets in the DAF grow without tax impact. ²

Q: Can I give a family member my appreciated stock as a gift?
A: Yes. In most cases, the cost basis from the donor carries over to the recipient.

Q: Why would I give a family member in a lower tax bracket appreciated stock?
A: If they sell the stock, the lower income could result in a reduced capital gains rate, potentially as low as 0% for long-term gains. ³

Tax Loss Harvesting and Other Approaches

Q: What is harvesting tax losses?
A: Selling investments at a loss to offset gains from other sales is known as tax loss harvesting, a strategy sometimes considered by Floor & Decor Holdings employees seeking opportunities to leverage bouts of market volatility.

Q: Can I deduct a certain amount of loss from my regular income?
A: Yes. If your capital losses exceed your gains, you can use up to $3,000 per year ($1,500 if married filing separately) to offset ordinary income, with remaining losses carried forward indefinitely. ⁴

Q: What is a Qualified Opportunity Fund (QOF)?
A: A QOF provides investors with tax incentives for investing in tracts of land designated as 'opportunity zones'. Capital gains reinvested in a QOF within 180 days of being realized can be temporarily tax deferred, while QOF investments helpd for at least 10 years may confer a permanent capital gains exclusion. ⁵ That said, 2025 legislation changes may prompt IRS updates to this rule.

Inheritance and Step-Up in Basis

Q: What is meant by a “step-up in basis”?
A: This adjusts an inherited asset’s cost basis to its fair market value at the time of the owner’s death, eliminating capital gains accumulated during their lifetime. ⁶

Q: If I gift shares while living, will I receive a step-up in basis?
A: No. The original cost basis transfers to the recipient without adjustment.

Determining the Right Strategy

Q: What is the best course of action for me?
A: The most suitable approach will depend on factors such as your gain size, income level, charitable intentions, and liquidity needs.

Q: Do any of these strategies call for professional guidance?
A: Yes. Given the complexity of the tax code, working with a qualified financial advisor and tax professional is strongly recommended before implementing these strategies.

Q: Is it possible to combine these strategies?
A: Yes. For example, you might execute a Section 351 exchange on part of your portfolio for tax-deferred rebalancing while donating another portion to a DAF for an immediate deduction.

Q: Is there a loophole in the Section 351 exchange?
A: No. This is a legitimate tax code provision designed for corporate restructuring and adapted for use in the ETF market. It is intended for tax deferral, not permanent tax elimination.

Featured Video

Articles you may find interesting:

Sources:

1. Kitces. ' Using Section 351 Exchanges to Tax-Efficiently Reallocate Portfolios With Embedded Gains ,' by Ben Henry-Moreland and Brent Sullivan. 12 Mar. 2025.

2. Kiplinger. “ A Donor-Advised Fund Can Give Your Charitable Giving a Boost ,” by Samuel Gaeta. 9 May 2024.

3. Internal Revenue Service. “ Topic No. 409, Capital Gains and Losses .” IRS.gov , 8 July 2025.

4. Wealth Enhancement. ' 6 Essential Tax-Loss Harvesting Tips ,' by Jim Wiley. 6 April 2022.

5. Congressional Research Service. ' Tax Incentives for Opportunity Zones ,' by Donald Marples. 26 Apr. 2022.

6. Investopedia. “ Carryover Basis: What It Is, How It Works, Gift Taxes ,” by Julia Kagan. 16 Jan. 2023.

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Floor & Decor Holdings offers a 401(k) retirement plan with a company match, and employees are eligible to participate after six months of employment. The company matches employee contributions at a rate determined annually, which was approximately 29.35% in 2022. Additionally, Floor & Decor has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan that allows employees to purchase company stock at a discounted rate. There was no specific information found on a defined pension plan offered by Floor & Decor Holdings in 2022, 2023, or 2024. The focus appears to be on their 401(k) plan and other retirement savings options. The company's benefits and retirement plans emphasize financial wellness and employee investment in their future.

Restructuring Layoffs: In 2023-2024, Floor & Decor has continued to expand its operations, opening new stores and studios, which suggests stability and growth rather than restructuring layoffs. However, the company has not announced any significant layoffs during this period, focusing instead on growth initiatives like the opening of new locations, including its Houston Design Studio in 2022 and continued expansion into 2024. Importance: This focus on expansion rather than layoffs is crucial for understanding the company's current economic resilience, especially considering the broader economic and investment climate where many companies are reducing their workforce. It’s essential to monitor for any future changes as economic conditions evolve.

Floor & Decor Holdings (FND) offers its employees various stock options and Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) as part of its compensation package. These are detailed in the company’s SEC filings and annual reports. The stock options and RSUs available to employees at Floor & Decor Holdings are part of the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan. This plan allows eligible employees, consultants, and non-employee directors to receive RSUs, which are units that represent shares of the company's common stock. These RSUs typically vest over a period of time, depending on continued employment or meeting specific performance goals. For example, the RSUs might include a provision for dividend equivalents, where employees can receive cash payments equivalent to dividends paid on the company's stock during the vesting period (SEC.gov) (Floor & Decor Holdings, Inc.). The latest updates to these stock options and RSUs for 2022, 2023, and 2024 show that the plan continues to be a significant part of Floor & Decor’s employee compensation strategy. Employees who meet specific eligibility criteria, such as length of service and job level, are offered these equity incentives. The detailed terms, including vesting schedules and eligibility, are outlined in the company’s annual 10-K filings (Last10K).

Floor & Decor Holdings offers a comprehensive set of health benefits to its employees, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as various wellness programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle. The company's health plans typically involve partnerships with major insurance providers, allowing employees access to a wide network of healthcare services. In terms of specific healthcare-related terms, Floor & Decor commonly uses terms such as "HSA" (Health Savings Account), "PPO" (Preferred Provider Organization), and "EAP" (Employee Assistance Program) within their benefits communications. These acronyms represent essential components of their healthcare packages, designed to give employees flexible and robust options for managing their health expenses.

Additional Articles

Check Out Articles for Floor & Decor Holdings employees

For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Floor & Decor Holdings at , ; or by calling them at .

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