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How Floor & Decor Holdings Employees Can Use Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGTs) in Estate Planning

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“Floor & Decor Holdings employees reviewing IDGTs can benefit from understanding how these trusts may support long-term legacy planning, although qualified legal and tax professionals should review these strategies to determine whether they fit into their overall goals.” ~ Wesley Boudreaux, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

“Floor & Decor Holdings employees considering an IDGT should recognize how this strategy may support long-term wealth transfer goals, although these structures should be reviewed with qualified legal and tax professionals to determine whether they align with each household’s broader plan.” ~ Patrick Ray, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement.

In this article, we will discuss:

How intentionally defective grantor trusts (IDGTs) work.
The advantages and potential limitations of using an IDGT.
Key considerations for Floor & Decor Holdings employees evaluating this type of planning strategy.

An irrevocable trust arrangement known as an intentionally defective grantor trust (IDGT) allows the grantor to move assets out of their taxable estate while still being treated as the owner of those assets for income tax purposes. Many people, including Floor & Decor Holdings employees with high-growth or income-producing holdings, may benefit from using this strategy to support long-term wealth preservation.

How an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust Works

For tax purposes, different kinds of trusts receive different treatment, and understanding the distinctions can help Floor & Decor Holdings professionals review planning strategies more effectively.

Revocable Trusts

In a revocable trust, the grantor is taxed on trust income and is regarded as the owner for income tax purposes. A separate trust income tax return is usually unnecessary. These assets generally remain inside the grantor’s taxable estate because the grantor maintains full control.

Irrevocable Trusts

An irrevocable trust is treated as its own tax entity, filing its own return and taking its own deductions. When properly drafted so the grantor does not retain certain powers or interests, assets transferred to an irrevocable trust are generally removed from the taxable estate, a detail that can matter for Floor & Decor Holdings professionals with substantial savings or investment holdings.

How IDGTs Combine These Features

An IDGT is structured as an irrevocable trust for estate and gift tax purposes, removing assets from the taxable estate, but is treated as a grantor trust for income tax purposes. As long as the grantor pays income taxes on trust earnings, the trust’s assets can grow outside the estate, which may appeal to Floor & Decor Holdings professionals with long-term legacy goals.

Why It’s Called “Intentionally Defective”

The trust is drafted so that, under IRS grantor-trust rules, the grantor remains the owner for income tax purposes due to certain retained powers. At the same time, the trust is irrevocable for estate tax purposes, allowing the assets to remain outside the taxable estate—a structure that may assist with multigenerational planning.

Advantages of an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust

Because an IDGT is a grantor trust for income tax purposes, the grantor pays income tax on trust earnings. This leads to two important benefits that may interest Floor & Decor Holdings employees with high-value assets:

- Trust assets can grow for beneficiaries without being reduced by income tax payments.
- Income tax paid by the grantor reduces the taxable estate without being classified as a gift.

- This dynamic—where grantors use personal funds to pay taxes that would otherwise reduce trust assets—is often referred to as a “tax burn.”

How Assets Are Transferred to an IDGT

Floor & Decor Holdings employees reviewing wealth transfer strategies may encounter two common approaches:

1. Gift or Partial Gift/Sale

A grantor can move assets to an IDGT as a gift. If the gift stays within the lifetime gift and estate tax exemption, it typically does not create out-of-pocket gift tax. Some planning approaches combine a partial gift with a sale to balance estate goals.

2. Sale to the IDGT

Many grantors sell assets to an IDGT in exchange for a promissory note with an interest rate at or above the IRS Applicable Federal Rate (AFR).

- The sale is typically not treated as a taxable gift if conducted at fair market value.
- Appreciation above the AFR occurs outside the grantor’s estate for beneficiaries.
- When AFR rules and loan requirements are followed, the note is treated as valid consideration and carries an interest obligation.

Potential Drawbacks of an IDGT

Once established, an IDGT is difficult to modify, similar to other irrevocable trusts. Outcomes also depend on the trust assets growing at a rate higher than the AFR. If that does not occur, the intended estate planning benefits may fall short—an important consideration for Floor & Decor Holdings employees reviewing various asset types.

Who Might Consider an IDGT?

An IDGT can be appealing for families facing potential estate tax exposure, especially when transferring assets with strong growth potential. This approach works best when the grantor has sufficient liquidity to continue paying the trust’s income taxes personally, a factor some Floor & Decor Holdings employees review when assessing retirement and estate liquidity. Because the structure requires precise legal drafting, it should be established with qualified legal counsel.

Need Support with IDGTs or Retirement Planning?

The Retirement Group can assist you in reviewing whether an IDGT fits into your broader retirement and estate plan as a Floor & Decor Holdings employee. For guidance tailored to your long-term goals, call us at (800) 900-5867 .

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Sources:

1. BMO Wealth Management. Herman, Brad. Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust. BMO Financial Group, Oct. 2021,
https://uswealth.bmo.com/media/filer_public/8b/3f/8b3f85c6-21b0-407e-bfbf-0f9b181c1673/bwm_idgtarticle_1103.pdf .

2. Fidelity Wealth Management. “What Is an Intentionally Defective Grantor Trust (IDGT)?” Fidelity Viewpoints , 4 Dec. 2025,
https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/wealth-management/insights/intentionally-defective-grantor-trusts .

3. Hirtle, Callaghan & Co. Estate Planning With Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts.
Hirtle, Callaghan & Co., 2020,
https://www.hirtlecallaghan.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Intentionally-Defective-Grantor-Trusts.pdf .

4. Nevada Trust Company. Ford-Grella, Jaclyn. “How Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts Can Safeguard Assets for Future Generations.” Nevada Trust Company , 10 Dec. 2024,
https://www.nevadatrust.com/how-intentionally-defective-grantor-trusts-can-safeguard-assets-for-future-generations/ .

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 .

https://phillipjamesfinancial.com/blog/your-guide-to-the-nua-rule-net-unrealized-appreciation https://www.schwab.com/resource/NUA https://bogartwealth.com/nua-strategy/ https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/retirement/company-stock https://careers.flooranddecor.com/us/en/benefits https://siccode.com/sic-code-lookup-directory https://am.gs.com/en-int/institutions/insights/article/2024/us-corporate-pension-review-and-preview-2024 https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/pension-plan-funding-segment-rates https://ir.flooranddecor.com/ https://am.gs.com/en-int/advisors https://last10k.com/sec-filings/fnd https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1507079/000150707923000008/fnd-20221229x10kexx1012.htm https://corpgov.law.harvard.edu/ https://stockanalysis.com/ https://digital.fidelity.com/prgw/digital/research/market https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/nyse-fnd-sec-filing-2024-07-23/#google_vignette https://finbox.com/NYSE:FND/explorer/pension_assets/ https://www.lumberbluebook.com/2024/02/22/floor-decor-holdings-inc-announces-fourth-quarter-and-fiscal-2023-financial-results/#modal https://www.emparion.com/floor-offset-defined-benefit-plan/