Buying a business with co-owners?
Then you need to set up a buy-sell agreement. And fast.
Why? Because a well drafted agreement can…
- Transform your business ownership interest into a more liquid asset
- Prevent unwanted ownership changes
- Save taxes and avoid hassles with the IRS
If you want to find out how buy-sell agreements work and how they can keep you out of trouble, now is the time to read my new article titled Tax Tips: Buying a Business with Co-Owners? You Need a Buy-Sell Agreement!
Four ways our fact-filled article can help you:
- You’ll learn important buy-sell agreement basics. For starters, you should know that there are two types of agreements: A cross-purchase agreement is a contract between you and the other co-owners. A redemption agreement is a contract between the business entity itself and its co-owners (including you). We’ll explain the differences in detail when you read the full article.
- We’ll tell you how to handle valuation and payment terms the right way. Common valuation methods include calculating a fixed per-share price, or following a formula that sets the selling price as a multiple of earnings or cash flow. Don’t forget to make sure that your price-setting method will be respected by the IRS for federal estate-tax valuation purposes. Also make certain that the agreement specifies how amounts will be paid out to withdrawing co-owners or their heirs under various triggering conditions. You’ll get the whole story when you read the full article.
- We’ll explain how to use life insurance to fund your buy-sell agreement. When a triggering event like death or disability occurs, you’ll need money to finance buyouts of the withdrawing co-owners. Life insurance policies can provide the cash you’ll require at exactly the time you need it. Lots of important information is waiting for you when you read the full article.
- You’ll learn how a buy-sell agreement can protect your heirs. You should know that your heirs can face two big potential problems if you don’t have a buy-sell agreement in place. First, there may be no market for your business ownership-interest and they may be forced to pay estate taxes. Second, your heirs may have to fight the IRS over valuing your share of the business for federal estate-tax purposes. The bottom line? You can do your heirs an enormous favor by creating a buy-sell agreement at an early date. We’ll give you all the details when you read the full article.