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Essential Year-End Tax Strategies for Yum Brands Employees: What You Need to Know Before 2023

Healthcare Provider Update: Yum Brands employs Cigna Healthcare as their healthcare provider, offering various health insurance plans and services to their employees. As we look towards 2026, healthcare costs are anticipated to rise significantly across the United States, with some states projecting ACA marketplace health insurance premiums to increase by more than 60%. Factors contributing to this trend include the potential expiration of enhanced federal premium subsidies and escalating medical costs, with many insurers citing an average medical trend increase of 7% to 10%. This combination could lead to substantial out-of-pocket expenses for thousands of employees, including those at Yum Brands, as they face the looming specter of higher premiums and reduced financial assistance. It's essential for employees to prepare by evaluating their healthcare options carefully and considering their financial situation. Click here to learn more

Here are some things for Yum Brands employees and retirees to consider as they weigh potential tax moves between now and the end of the year.

1. Defer income to next year
Yum Brands employees must consider opportunities to defer income to 2023, particularly if you think you may be in a lower tax bracket then. For example, you may be able to defer a year-end bonus or delay the collection of business debts, rent, and payments for services. As a Yum Brands employee, doing so may enable you to postpone payment of tax on the income until next year.

2. Accelerate deductions
Yum Brands employees and retirees should also look for opportunities to accelerate deductions into the current tax year. If you itemize deductions, making payments for deductible expenses such as medical expenses, qualifying interest, and state taxes before the end of the year (instead of paying them in early 2023) could make a difference on your 2022 return.

3. Make deductible charitable contributions
As a Yum Brands employee, if you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return, you can generally deduct charitable contributions, but the deduction is limited to 50% (currently increased to 60% for cash contributions to public charities), 30%, or 20% of your adjusted gross income (AGI), depending on the type of property you give and the type of organization to which you contribute. (Excess amounts can be carried over for up to five years.)

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4. Bump up withholding to cover a tax shortfall
As a Yum Brands employee, if it looks as though you will owe federal income tax for the year, consider increasing your withholding on Form W-4 for the remainder of the year to cover the shortfall. Time may be limited for Yum Brands employees to request a Form W-4 change and for their employers from Yum Brands to implement it in time for 2022. The biggest advantage in doing so is that withholding is considered as having been paid evenly throughout the year instead of when the dollars are actually taken from your paycheck. This strategy can be implemented by Yum Brands employees to make up for low or missing quarterly estimated tax payments.

5. Save more for retirement
Deductible contributions to a traditional IRA and pre-tax contributions to a Yum Brands-sponsored retirement plan such as a 401(k) can reduce your 2022 taxable income. As a fortune 500 employee, if you haven't already contributed up to the maximum amount allowed, consider doing so. For 2022, Yum Brands employees can contribute up to $20,500 to a 401(k) plan ($27,000 if you're age 50 or older) and up to $6,000 to traditional and Roth IRAs combined ($7,000 if you're age 50 or older).* The window to make 2022 contributions to a Yum Brands-sponsored plan generally closes at the end of the year, while you have until April 18, 2023, to make 2022 IRA contributions.

*Roth contributions are not deductible, but Roth-qualified distributions are not taxable.

6. Take the required minimum distributions
If you are a Yum Brands employee age 72 or older, you generally must take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from traditional IRAs and Yum Brands-sponsored retirement plans (special rules apply if you're still working and participating in Yum Brands's retirement plan). You have to make the withdrawals by the date required — the end of the year for most individuals. The penalty for failing to do so is substantial: 50% of the amount that wasn't distributed on time. As a fortune 500 employee, making these distributions in a timely manner is essential as to avoid the late penalty.

7. Weigh year-end investment moves
Yum Brands employees and retirees shouldn't let tax considerations drive investment decisions. However, it's worth considering the tax implications of any year-end investment moves that you make. For example, if you have realized net capital gains from selling securities at a profit, you might avoid being taxed on some or all of those gains by selling losing positions. As a Yum Brands employee, any losses over and above the number of your gains can be used to offset up to $3,000 of ordinary income ($1,500 if your filing status is married filing separately) or carried forward to reduce your taxes in future years.

Tags: Financial Planning , Tax , Retirement , 2022

What is the 401(k) plan offered by Yum Brands?

The 401(k) plan at Yum Brands is a retirement savings plan that allows employees to save a portion of their paycheck before taxes are taken out.

Does Yum Brands match employee contributions to the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Yum Brands offers a matching contribution to the 401(k) plan, which helps employees maximize their retirement savings.

What are the eligibility requirements for participating in Yum Brands' 401(k) plan?

Employees of Yum Brands are eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan after completing a specified period of service, typically within the first year of employment.

How can Yum Brands employees enroll in the 401(k) plan?

Yum Brands employees can enroll in the 401(k) plan through the company’s benefits portal or by contacting the Human Resources department for assistance.

What investment options are available in the Yum Brands 401(k) plan?

The Yum Brands 401(k) plan offers a variety of investment options, including mutual funds, target-date funds, and other investment vehicles to suit different risk tolerances.

Can Yum Brands employees change their contribution percentage for the 401(k) plan?

Yes, Yum Brands employees can change their contribution percentage at any time, allowing them to adjust their savings according to their financial situation.

What is the vesting schedule for Yum Brands' 401(k) matching contributions?

The vesting schedule for Yum Brands' 401(k) matching contributions typically follows a graded vesting schedule, meaning employees earn ownership of the match over a period of time.

Are there any fees associated with Yum Brands' 401(k) plan?

Yes, Yum Brands' 401(k) plan may have administrative fees and investment-related fees, which are disclosed in the plan documents provided to employees.

How often can Yum Brands employees access their 401(k) account statements?

Yum Brands employees can access their 401(k) account statements quarterly through the plan’s online portal.

What happens to Yum Brands employees' 401(k) accounts if they leave the company?

If Yum Brands employees leave the company, they can either roll over their 401(k) balance to another retirement account, leave it in the Yum Brands plan (if eligible), or cash it out, subject to taxes and penalties.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Yum Brands at 1900 Colonel Sanders Ln. Louisville, KY 40213; or by calling them at 502-874-8300.