Grocery Outlet Holding Employee: Making a Charitable Contribution

Why sell shares when you can gift them? If you have appreciated stocks in your portfolio, you might want to consider donating those shares to charity rather than selling them.

Donating appreciated securities to a tax-qualified charity may allow Grocery Outlet Holding employees to manage their taxes and benefit the charity. If you have held the stock for more than a year, you may be able to deduct from your taxes the fair market value of the stock in the year that you donate. If the charity is tax-exempt, it may not face capital gains tax on the stock if it sells it in the future.

Keep in mind this article is for informational purposes only for Grocery Outlet Holding employees. It's not a replacement for real-life advice. Make sure to consult your tax and legal professionals before modifying your gift-giving strategy.

There are several reasons why Grocery Outlet Holding employees should consider donating highly appreciated stock to a tax-exempt charity. For example, you may own company stock and have the opportunity to donate some shares. There also are potential tax benefits to consider if you donate appreciated securities that you have owned for at least one year.

If you sell shares of appreciated stock from a taxable account and subsequently donate the proceeds from the sale to charity, you may face capital gains tax on any gain you realize, which effectively trims the benefit of cash donation.

When is donating cash a choice to consider? If you provide the charity with a cash gift, there may be some limitations. Cash gifts are generally deductible up to 50% of adjusted gross income. As an example, a Grocery Outlet Holding donor in the top 37% federal tax bracket gives a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization a gift of $5,000, the net may be $3,150 with $1,850 realized in tax savings. A Grocery Outlet Holding donor should also need to consider state taxes in addition to federal.

If you donate shares of depreciated stock from a taxable account to a charity, you can only deduct their current value, not the value they had when you originally bought them.

Remember the tax rules for charitable donations. If you donate appreciated stock to a charity, you may want to review IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions. Double-check to see that the charity has non-profit status under federal tax law, and be sure to record the deduction on a Schedule A that you attach to your 1040.

If your contribution totals $250 or more, the donation must be recorded – that is, the charity needs to give you a written statement describing the donation and its value and whether it is providing you with goods or services in exchange for it.

If your total deduction for all non-cash contributions in a tax year exceeds $500, then complete and attach Form 8283 (Noncash Charitable Contributions) to your 1040 when filing. If Grocery Outlet Holding employees donate more than $5,000 of property to a charity, they will need to provide a letter from a qualified appraiser to the charity (and by extension, the IRS) stating the monetary value of the gift(s).

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Grocery Outlet Holding Employee Pension and 401(k) Plan Information Pension Plan Information: Name of Pension Plan: Grocery Outlet Holding does not offer a traditional pension plan. Instead, they provide a 401(k) plan as their primary retirement benefit. Years of Service and Age Qualification: Not applicable as Grocery Outlet Holding does not have a traditional pension plan. 401(k) Plan Information: Name of 401(k) Plan: Grocery Outlet Holding 401(k) Plan Eligibility for 401(k) Plan: Employees are eligible to participate in the Grocery Outlet Holding 401(k) Plan after completing 30 days of service. Contribution Details: Employees can make pre-tax and/or Roth contributions. Grocery Outlet Holding provides a matching contribution of 50% on the first 6% of employee contributions.

Restructuring and Layoffs: In 2023, Grocery Outlet Holding announced a strategic restructuring aimed at streamlining operations. This included the closure of underperforming locations and a reduction in workforce. The company's decision was influenced by the need to adapt to changing market conditions and rising operational costs. The restructuring is crucial for investors and employees to follow given the current economic and investment environment, as it reflects broader trends in retail and operational efficiency. Company Benefits and 401(k) Changes: Grocery Outlet has been adjusting its employee benefits package to remain competitive in the market. In 2024, the company updated its 401(k) plan to include better matching contributions and investment options. These changes are part of a broader effort to enhance employee retention and satisfaction amidst economic uncertainties. Understanding these changes is important as they impact financial planning for employees and can affect overall job satisfaction and retention rates.

Stock Options and RSUs at Grocery Outlet Holding Corp.: Grocery Outlet Holding provides RSUs to both employees and non-employee directors. The RSUs vest over a twelve-month period or immediately upon a Change in Control (CIC). Non-employee directors receive RSUs annually, with the value typically set at $125,000, converted into shares based on the fair market value on the grant date (Grocery Outlet) (SEC.gov). Stock options and RSUs are part of a broader incentive strategy under their 2019 Incentive Plan, making these benefits available to eligible employees and directors. Directors can also defer their compensation into Deferred Stock Units (DSUs), which are later settled in company stock (Justia).

Financial and Business News Websites: Sites like Bloomberg, Reuters, and CNBC may have articles related to employee benefits. HR and Benefits Websites: Websites like Glassdoor, Indeed, or PayScale might have employee reviews or reports on benefits. Industry News Sites: Sites focused on retail or grocery industry news might have relevant articles. Regulatory and Compliance Sites: Information from the Department of Labor or similar entities might provide insights into recent changes or trends in employee benefits. Health Benefits Information for Grocery Outlet Holding 1. Official Website Grocery Outlet's Careers Page: The benefits section on their official careers page provides a general overview of their health benefits. They offer health insurance plans, including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Specific plans and providers may vary based on location and employment status. 2. Business and Financial News Websites Bloomberg: Recent articles on Bloomberg about Grocery Outlet did not highlight significant changes in health benefits. However, they cover general employment trends which might indirectly affect benefits. Reuters: Reuters articles also didn't focus on health benefits specifically but covered financial and operational aspects of Grocery Outlet. CNBC: CNBC reports on Grocery Outlet mainly focus on financial performance and strategic moves rather than detailed employee benefits. 3. HR and Benefits Websites Glassdoor: Reviews from current and former employees on Glassdoor suggest that Grocery Outlet offers standard health benefits, but specifics like plan details or coverage levels are not deeply discussed in employee reviews. Indeed: On Indeed, employees mention that Grocery Outlet provides health insurance, but there are limited details on the comprehensiveness of the coverage. 4. Industry News Sites Retail Dive: Articles on Retail Dive focus more on industry trends and less on specific company benefits. They may occasionally mention employee satisfaction related to benefits in broader articles. Progressive Grocer: Reports on Progressive Grocer primarily discuss industry trends and retail strategies, with occasional mentions of employee benefits in context. 5. Regulatory and Compliance Sites Department of Labor: The U.S. Department of Labor provides general information on health benefits regulations which affect all companies, including Grocery Outlet. This includes information on ACA compliance and other federal regulations that impact employee health benefits.