Floor & Decor Holdings Employees: Smarter Ways to Manage Taxes on Appreciated Stock
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'Floor & Decor Holdings employees with concentrated stock positions may benefit from thoughtful tax planning that allows for tax deferral while balancing liquidity, compliance, and long-term compounding,' Wesley Boudreaux, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
'Floor & Decor Holdings employees who hold highly-appreciated stock may want to consider tax-efficient strategies that help mitigate their liabilities while aligning with their overall retirement goals,' Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.
In this article, we will discuss:
How taxes can affect investment returns, particularly on concentrated stock positions.
Exchange funds and options-based strategies as methods for tax deferral and diversification.
Alternative planning techniques outside ETFs, including charitable trusts and gifting strategies.
By Carlos Hernandez, Wealth Enhancement advisor
When it comes to driving portfolio returns, many investors aim to keep management fees low by investing in low-cost index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). While fees matter, however, the real culprit for lower-than-anticipated performance is taxes.
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Wealth Enhancement advisor Carlos Hernandez explains: 'By losing less to taxes each year, investors have access to more capital that can continue to compound over time. This makes tax deferral an important part of an effective financial plan.' Floor & Decor Holdings employees looking for long-term growth strategies could benefit by understanding how to better manage their investment tax burdens.
Trade Money
One area where taxes can take a toll is on the sale of company stock or other concentrated investment positions. Floor & Decor Holdings professionals looking to diversify could face significant capital gains taxes on an outright sale. One way to diversify without triggering immediate capital gains is through exchange funds. By contributing their highy-appreciated stock to a pooled fund, investors can trade their concentrated holdings for shares in a diverse basket of securities. This method can be used by Floor & Decor Holdings employees who want to diversify while postponing taxable events.
Although this method allows for tax deferral, it also requires investors to hold the exchange fund for a period of time, typically seven years.
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This could create a challenge for investors who require liquidity. Additionally, these funds are often exclusively accessible to wealthy, accredited investors—something Floor & Decor Holdings executives should carefully evaluate.
Funds Based on Options
Another way to mitigate taxes on the sale of highly-appreciated stock is by using options contracts. The idea is to hedge risk with put options while covering the cost of those puts by selling call options—a strategy called 'collaring'. From there, the strategy reverses, with investors selling put options and using the proceeds to buy call option on an equity or bond index.
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If managed effectively, this helps to diversify a concentrated portfolio while still maintaining liquidity.
Given the complexity of this strategy, meticulous planning is necessary. It's generally recommended that investors work with an experienced financial advisor before pursuing this approach.
Things to Be Aware of
Although these strategies can be beneficial for Floor & Decor Holdings employees who hold highly-appreciated stock, caution is recommended. There are costs associated with these approaches, and potential liquidity risks. Additionally, the IRS may eventually contest such arrangements because their tax status has not been thoroughly examined—something Floor & Decor Holdings retirees should keep top of mind.
'Tax drag reduction strategies can be effective, but they must be assessed through the lens of risk, liquidity, cost, and compliance,' warns Carlos Hernandez. What is appealing in theory must hold up to inspection in the real world.
Alternative Strategies
Although they show promise, investors with highly-appreciated stock or those looking to postpone gains have other alternatives besides exchange funds or options. Other tactics could include:
- Prepaid variable forwards (subject to IRS regulations, contracts to sell at predetermined terms in the future).
- Charitable remainder trusts (CRTs), which allow investors to donate appreciated stock to a charitable trust and receive a stream of regular income in return.
- Donor-advised funds (DAFs), which provide investors with a tax deduction for the fair market value of the appreciated stock they donate.
- Other gifting techniques, such as direct donations to charity or family.
Each has its own set of guidelines, advantages, and disadvantages. To limit unnecessary taxes or violating the constructive sale regulations, careful planning is necessary for Floor & Decor Holdings professionals managing complex portfolios.
The Bottom Line
Although the movement to mitigate the tax burden on investments is not new, the instruments are changing. Both exchange funds and options-based structures offer investors a way to manage tax liabilities, especially for Floor & Decor Holdings employees who hold highly-appreciated stock.
In the end, taxes are unavoidable. However, with the correct set of instruments, they can be controlled and postponed. 'The real value comes from aligning tax strategy with investment strategy,' summarizes Carlos Hernandez.
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.
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