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Discussions > Should Sellers Of Small Businesses Give Potential Buyers Their Tax Returns?
Should Sellers Of Small Businesses Give Potential Buyers Their Tax Returns?
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Posted By: Joe Ranieri 
Should small business owners/sellers give potential buyers direct access to their tax returns (and potentially to copies direct from the IRS) either before or during the due diligence process? Several business brokers and advisors discuss this topic on BizBen Discussions.
Topics: Buying A Business, Due Diligence, Selling A Business Tags: buying a business, due diligence, selling a business
Should small business owners/sellers give potential buyers direct access to their tax returns (and potentially to copies direct from the IRS) either before or during the due diligence process? Several business brokers and advisors discuss this topic on BizBen Discussions.
Topics: Buying A Business, Due Diligence, Selling A Business Tags: buying a business, due diligence, selling a business
As a seller, with regards to due diligence, should I give a buyer "third party authorization" to inspect my tax returns directly from the Internal Revenue Service?
This issue recently came up in a transaction that I was working on. I was selling a mini-mart to a buyer who had been an accountant for 20 years, and he did his due diligence by way of visual observation, register tape, sales tax filings, and was about ready to open escrow when he demanded the seller give him authorization to receive the tax returns directly from the IRS. The buyer was convinced that the tax returns could be fraudulent or doctored from the ones that were officially filed with the IRS. The seller created a counter offer that they would not authorize the buyer to pull tax returns directly from a government agency. The buyer balked, and the deal died.
It's been my general rule that a seller should give as much information about the business as possible during the due diligence period, and a buyer should be completely satisfied. It has been my experience that the majority of buyers do not want "third party authorization" for tax returns directly from the IRS, and are usually satisfied with inspecting the seller's copies, but if the buyer does not feel comfortable and not proceed because of it then that is their choice.
This issue recently came up in a transaction that I was working on. I was selling a mini-mart to a buyer who had been an accountant for 20 years, and he did his due diligence by way of visual observation, register tape, sales tax filings, and was about ready to open escrow when he demanded the seller give him authorization to receive the tax returns directly from the IRS. The buyer was convinced that the tax returns could be fraudulent or doctored from the ones that were officially filed with the IRS. The seller created a counter offer that they would not authorize the buyer to pull tax returns directly from a government agency. The buyer balked, and the deal died.
It's been my general rule that a seller should give as much information about the business as possible during the due diligence period, and a buyer should be completely satisfied. It has been my experience that the majority of buyers do not want "third party authorization" for tax returns directly from the IRS, and are usually satisfied with inspecting the seller's copies, but if the buyer does not feel comfortable and not proceed because of it then that is their choice.
Contributor: Timothy Cunha JD: Business Broker, SF Bay Area
After a contract is in place and due diligence has begun, tax returns are fair game. And, the prudent buyer receives them directly from the IRS with seller approval. A seller who refuses to allow independent verification of his tax returns, does so at his peril -- the buyer quite rightly should be suspicious and may very justifiably kill the deal.
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Mark Chatow, Esq.: Legal Services For Buying, Selling Businesses Mark has a broad range of small business purchase & sale experience from analyzing potential acquisition targets to successfully guiding buyers and sellers through the purchase & sale of small businesses. Mark can assist with contracts, negotiations, legal matters, etc. Reach Mark at 949-478-8393. |
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Willard Michlin, CPA, Certified Fraud Examiner, Due Diligence Services Willard Michlin, CPA #106752, offers buyers step by step training & assistance in doing Due Diligence Services when they are thinking of making an offer, or are in process of investigating a business purchase. He helps to determine the actual net profit even when there is cash. Call 805-428-2063. |
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