Year-End Charitable Giving for Dollar Tree Employees

With the holiday season upon us and the end of the year approaching, we pause to give thanks for our blessings and the people in our lives. It is also a time when charitable giving often comes to mind. The tax benefits associated with charitable giving could potentially enhance your ability to give and should be considered as part of your year-end tax planning.

Tax deduction for charitable gifts
If you itemize deductions on your federal income tax return, you can generally deduct your gifts to qualified charities. This may also help potentially increase your gift.

Example(s) : Assume you want to make a charitable gift of $1,000. One way to potentially enhance the gift is to increase it by the amount of any income taxes you save with the charitable deduction for the gift. At a 24% tax rate, you might be able to give $1,316 to charity [$1,000 ÷ (1 - 24%) = $1,316; $1,316 x 24% = $316 taxes saved]. On the other hand, at a 32% tax rate, you might be able to give $1,471 to charity [$1,000 ÷ (1 - 32%) = $1,471; $1,471 x 32% = $471 taxes saved].

However, keep in mind that the amount of your deduction may be limited to certain percentages of your adjusted gross income (AGI) from your company. For example, your deduction for gifts of cash to public charities is generally limited to 60% of your AGI for the year, and other gifts to charity are typically limited to 30% or 20% of your AGI. Charitable deductions that exceed the AGI limits may generally be carried over and deducted over the next five years, subject to the income percentage limits in those years.

For 2021 charitable gifts, the normal rules have been enhanced: The limit is increased to 100% of AGI for direct cash gifts to public charities. And even if you don't itemize deductions, you can receive a $300 charitable deduction ($600 for joint returns) for direct cash gifts to public charities (in addition to the standard deduction).

Make sure to retain proper substantiation of your charitable contribution. In order to claim a charitable deduction for any contribution of cash, a check, or other monetary gift, you must maintain a record of such contributions through a bank record (such as a cancelled check, a bank or credit union statement, or a credit-card statement) or a written communication (such as a receipt or letter) from the charity showing the name of the charity, the date of the contribution, and the amount of the contribution. If you claim a charitable deduction for any contribution of $250 or more, you must substantiate the contribution with a contemporaneous written acknowledgment of the contribution from the charity. If you make any noncash contributions, there are additional requirements.

Year-end tax planning
When making charitable gifts at the end of a year, you should consider them as part of your year-end tax planning. Typically, you have a certain amount of control over the timing of income and expenses. You generally want to time your recognition of income so that it will be taxed at the lowest rate possible, and time your deductible expenses so they can be claimed in years when you are in a higher tax bracket.

For example, if you expect to be in a higher tax bracket next year, it may make sense to wait and make the charitable contribution in January so that you can take the deduction next year when the deduction results in a greater tax benefit. Or you might shift the charitable contribution, along with other deductions, into a year when your itemized deductions would be greater than the standard deduction amount. And if the income percentage limits above are a concern in one year, you might consider ways to shift income into that year or shift deductions out of that year, so that a larger charitable deduction is available for that year. A tax professional can help you evaluate your individual tax situation.

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A word of caution
Be sure to deal with recognized charities and be wary of charities with similar-sounding names. It is common for scam artists to impersonate charities using bogus websites, email, phone calls, social media, and in-person solicitations. Check out the charity on the IRS website, irs.gov, using the Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. And don't send cash; contribute by check or credit card.

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

Dollar Tree offers a well-structured retirement benefits package for its employees, including a comprehensive 401(k) plan and participation in a company-wide pension system. Dollar Tree's 401(k) plan provides a dollar-for-dollar match on the first 5% of employee contributions, ensuring that employees who participate actively in the plan benefit from significant employer support. In addition to the 401(k), employees can partake in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, allowing them to buy company stock through automatic payroll deductions. This creates a flexible option for building long-term savings while also investing in the company. The Dollar Tree 401(k) plan operates under Empower Retirement and is accessible through their secure platform, offering employees a user-friendly interface to manage their contributions and retirement savings (source: [9†source]). Additionally, Dollar Tree promotes retirement readiness with planning resources aimed at educating employees on maximizing their 401(k) contributions and understanding their retirement benefits. In terms of a pension plan, Dollar Tree's system is less defined in publicly available documents but suggests a focus on supporting employees through the 401(k) structure rather than a traditional defined benefit pension. Specific eligibility for the 401(k) includes regular full-time and part-time employees, with automatic enrollment often triggered after a designated period of employment. This setup helps ensure that all eligible employees have the opportunity to secure their financial future through the Dollar Tree 401(k) plan (source: [8†source]).

Restructuring and Layoffs: Dollar Tree has undergone significant restructuring throughout 2023 and 2024. The company has announced plans to close underperforming stores and streamline operations to boost profitability. These changes are part of a broader strategy to adapt to shifts in consumer spending and improve overall efficiency. This restructuring is particularly noteworthy given the current economic climate, which has been marked by inflation and fluctuating consumer behavior. Addressing these changes is crucial as they reflect the broader trends in the retail sector, impacting not only employees but also the company's long-term strategy in an unpredictable economic environment.

Dollar Tree Stock Options and RSUs 2022 Company Name: Dollar Tree Stock Options & RSUs Available: Dollar Tree provided stock options and RSUs to eligible employees under its Long-Term Incentive Plan. Stock options granted to executives and senior management are designed to align their interests with those of shareholders. Source & Page Number: Annual Report 2022, page 49. Company Name: Dollar Tree Eligibility: Stock options and RSUs were granted based on performance metrics and tenure. Key executives and high-performing employees were prioritized. Source & Page Number: Proxy Statement 2022, page 18. 2023 Company Name: Dollar Tree Stock Options & RSUs Available: The company continued to offer stock options and RSUs under its equity incentive plan. The awards were aimed at retaining top talent and rewarding long-term performance. Source & Page Number: Annual Report 2023, page 53. Company Name: Dollar Tree Eligibility: Eligibility for stock options and RSUs was expanded to include a broader range of employees, including mid-level managers and critical roles. 2024 Company Name: Dollar Tree Stock Options & RSUs Available: In 2024, Dollar Tree's equity compensation plan included stock options and RSUs with a focus on long-term incentives. These awards were intended to attract and retain key personnel amid competitive market conditions.

Dollar Tree Official Website Healthcare Benefits Page: Dollar Tree provides information on health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, as well as wellness programs. Benefits for full-time employees often include access to PPO and HMO plans, with options for family coverage. Recent Updates: There may be changes or updates in their benefits structure, so reviewing their latest benefits documentation is crucial.