Taxes Information

Slash Tax when Buying a Business


When buying a business, how the "purchase price" is made up can affect what you pay in tax. The plan is to make as much of the price tax deductible for you and not the other party.

Once a final price has been agreed upon, try to allocate that price in the sale and purchase agreement in such a way that you get maximum benefit.

Here are some ways to do this:

  • If you are buying allocate as high a value as possible to the assets in the purchase price (plant, equipment, computers, vehicles, fittings, machinery) so you can claim a higher deduction for depreciation of those assets. If you are selling, keep asset values down so you are not taxed for any depreciation recovered (that is, the excess of the amount you have sold the assets for over their book value).
  • If buying value goodwill at the lowest figure possible because it is not tax deductible to you but it does increase the assets allocation. If selling then the higher the goodwill figure the better for you as this lowers the assets figures in the price.
  • If buying, the higher the valuation for stock the better, because you pay tax on the stock profit, which is the difference between stock at the beginning and stock at the end of the period so keep this profit down. If selling, keep stock value as low as possible as they have the opposite effect.
  • If buying and part of the deal includes you taking over the lease, put in a value for "premium on lease" as this premium is tax deductible. If selling, don't include any premiums.
  • If buying and the old owner is staying on, lower the purchase price and increase wages the you'll pay to the former owner because those wages would be fully tax deductible. If selling and you're staying on, increase the purchase price and work for nothing for a period.
  • If buying, leave your repairs and maintenance for a year or two, so you'll have no problems getting a deduction. If you carry out the work immediately on moving in, there is a possibility that the expenses may be "capitalized" and only depreciation can be claimed. If selling, get the repairs done before the sale and increase your price.
  • If buying and you're paying off the balance of the purchase price, reduce the price and raise the interest rate, because interest is fully deductible to you. If you're selling increase the selling price and instead, give the buyer a loan at nil interest.


Copyright 2005 StartRunGrow
http://www.startrungrow.com

StartRunGrow (http://www.startrungrow.com) is a global online information organization that specializes in creating, developing and marketing business help information specifically with the aim of "making business easier" for entrepreneurs around the world. The StartRunGrow objective is to become a dominant player in the business help arena providing end to end solutions for the millions of small and medium businesses worldwide who continue to struggle daily with the difficulties of starting, running and growing a successful business.


MORE RESOURCES:

BBC News

Darling ready to admit taxes must rise
guardian.co.uk, UK - 9 hours ago
The chancellor, Alistair Darling, is preparing to admit that tax will need to rise after the next election as borrowing projections emerged showing the ...
Andrew Grice: A cool Chancellor must consider putting up taxes Independent
Swinney's call to cut taxes The Press Association
Swinney's call to cut taxes Guide and Gazette
Reuters UK - Herald.ie
all 117 news articles


Cabinet Talk Aside, Corzine Faces State Crisis
New York Times, United States - 4 hours ago
They include a state work force already unhappy about cuts in benefits from a year ago, homeowners worried about rising property taxes, municipalities that ...
Freeze update to aid seniors Cherry Hill Courier Post
all 4 news articles


stv.tv

UK Budget Deficit Widens as Recession Saps Taxes (Update2)
Bloomberg - Nov 20, 2008
20 (Bloomberg) -- The UK fiscal deficit swelled as tax receipts stagnated, and economists warned of worse to come as the recession deepens and the ...
Government to ditch prudence for life support International Herald Tribune
all 30 news articles


Economic View The New Deal Didn’t Always Work, Either
New York Times, United States - 4 hours ago
DON’T RAISE TAXES IN A SLUMP The New Deal’s legacy of public works programs has given many people the impression that it was a time of expansionary fiscal ...


As jobless funds fall, states look to raise taxes
USA Today - Nov 20, 2008
By Marisol Bello, USA TODAY As the number of people filing claims for unemployment benefits hits a 16-year high, states are imposing higher taxes on ...


Legislature, governor must find $5 billion in spending cuts ...
Seattle Times, United States - 12 hours ago
The gap might be filled with new taxes, but it would be foolhardy to lay on big new taxes during an economic crisis. Every business is trying to manage its ...


State Lawmakers Consider Tripling Car Taxes
KGET 17, CA - 7 hours ago
State Lawmakers are once again talking about raising car taxes to help erase a ballooning budget deficit. Democrats say it could bring in $6 billion a year. ...
Budget deal would include steeper car fees Los Angeles Times
all 7 news articles


Miami New Times

State deficit grows; will taxes have to rise?
MiamiHerald.com, FL - 4 hours ago
State economists punched a $2.1 billion hole in the state budget Friday, precipitating the need for a special lawmaking session and talk of possible tax ...
$2.1 billion budget hole growing Daytona Beach News-Journal
Fla. budget deficit expected to hit $2.2 billion Forbes
State budget gap hits $2.14-billion Tampabay.com
Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Sun-Sentinel.com
all 30 news articles


One Day Without Taxes
KNWA, AR - 7 hours ago
A shopping excursion can be a pretty pricey trip - but if there was a day you didn't have to pay taxes on what you bought - you could save some serious ...


Princeton property taxes going up again
WFIE-TV, IN - 7 hours ago
By Liz Nichols - bio | email In the city of Princeton, where residents pay the highest property taxes in Gibson County, rates are going up again next year ...
Proposed rate nearly $5 for city taxpayers in ‘09 Princeton Daily Clarion
all 2 news articles

Taxes - Google News

home | site map
© 2006