Business Succession Planning
Business Succession Plan
Producing and executing a sound succession plan will offer numerous benefits to partners and owners:
- It ensures an acceptable price for a partner’s share of the business and removes the need for assessment upon death since the insured agreed to the cost in advance.
- The policy benefits will be immediately readily available to pay for the deceased’s share of the business, with no liquidity or time restrictions. This efficiently prevents the possibility of an external takeover due to cash flow issues or the need to offer business or other assets to cover the cost of the deceased’s interest.
- A succession plan can considerably help in establishing a prompt settlement of the deceased’s estate.
Insurance Carriers
- Manulife Financial
- Canada Life
- Sun Life
- RBC Insurance
- BMO Insurance
- Canada Protection Plan (CPP)
- Industrial Alliance
- Ivari
- Equitable Life
- Empire Life
Life Insurance is the transfer vehicle
There are two basic arrangements used for this. They are called cross-purchase agreements and entity-purchase agreements. While both ultimately serve the same function, they are used in various circumstances.
How much Is My Business Worth?
Cross-Purchase Agreements
As an example, picture that there are three partners who each own equal shares of a business worth $3 million, so each partner’s share is valued at $1 million. The partners wish to guarantee that business is handed down smoothly if among them passes away, so they enter into a cross-purchase agreement. The agreement requires that each partner secure a $500,000 policy on each of the other 2 partners. This way, when one of the partners dies, the other two partners will each be paid $500,000, which they need to utilize to buy out the departed partner’s share of the business.
Entity-Purchase Agreements
When there are only two partners, there can even be issues. Let’s say one partner is 35 years old, and the other is 60 years old– there will be a huge disparity between the respective costs of the policies. In these circumstances, an entity-purchase agreement is often utilized rather.
The entity-purchase arrangement is much less complex. In this type of agreement, the business itself acquires a single policy on each partner and becomes both the policy owner and beneficiary. Upon the death of any partner or owner, the business will use the policy proceeds to buy the deceased individual’s share of business appropriately. The cost of each policy is normally deductible for the business, and the business likewise “consumes” all costs and underwrites the equity between partners.
Tax Implications of a Business Succession Plan
There are a number of financial, legal, and tax implications to consider when moving or selling your business. Because each business and the goals of the succession plan are unique, it is crucial that small business owners aim to legal and tax professionals to respond to a few of their concerns, including:
- Will you require a loan to finance the succession plan?
- What are the tax implications if you are the sole proprietor, in a collaboration, or corporation?
- Can you make the most of the capital gains exemption?
- What can you do to lessen the tax bill?
- What about an estate freeze?
Our Advisors
Establishing a succession plan, at least an effective, comprehensive one, requires a specific skillset. Tax professionals can supply understanding and proficiency in locations that you may not have a great deal of experience. Not just any tax professional will do. When looking for assistance with succession preparation, ensure you choose tax professionals that have decades of experience working particularly with little businesses, farm operators, business owners, and independent professionals.
Transferring My Business
Unique to every business, a business transition consists of a series of standard actions, such as setting your financial goals, figuring out legal requirements, and establishing your goals.