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Do I Have Enough to Sell My Business?

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As a business owner, you’ve spent your life’s work growing your business, taking care of employees, managing your product or service, and looking after your people. Now, you may be getting to a point where your spouse tells you you work too much. Or perhaps you’re watching the clock more than you used to, counting down the minutes until you can head home and unplug from your “boss” responsibilities.

Whatever your reasoning, if you’re starting to ask questions like, “Do I have enough to sell?” and “Will that be enough?” then it’s time to focus on you for a change.

Why Business Owners Need Specialized Financial Planning

Business owners face a unique set of financial challenges and opportunities. Whether you are a small business owner or running a large corporation, the following considerations are critical:

  • Maximizing tax efficiency
  • Choosing the most appropriate retirement account type
  • Evaluating your retirement account options
  • Managing 401(k) and pension investments
  • Considering a defined benefit plan, i.e., “pension”
  • Aligning company benefits offerings with company goals

Our team specializes in helping business owners handle these and other issues while they’re still working. During those years, we help you work through proper planning techniques to diversify your assets, reduce risk, optimize your taxes, and offer competitive benefits. All of these steps help streamline and strengthen your business at the time — but they also set you up for a successful transition into retirement or your next business opportunity.

When you do get to the point of exiting, we help you bring all of this planning together into one critical decision: whether or not you have what you need to move on from your business and into your ideal retirement, whatever that looks like for you. 

Creating a Dream Retirement

At Warren Street, we’ve helped many business owner clients over the years answer the “Do I have enough to sell?” question and develop their exit strategies accordingly. 

If you choose to work with us during your own exit process, we’ll play a key role on your professional team alongside your attorney. While your attorney looks after the legal structure of the deal, we’ll handle related asset management and tax mitigation. For example, if you’re involved in an all-cash sale with multiple payments coming in the next few years, we will discuss tax deferral opportunities to add into your transition plan. Or, if you’re struggling with a go/no-go decision, we’ll conduct scenario planning to help you make an informed choice based on your current financial situation, projected future state, and personal goals.

No matter where you are in the exit planning process, we can help evaluate your current assets, investments, estate planning, and legacy goals, so you can make a clear and confident decision on what next steps are right for you.

If this sounds like you and you’re a current Warren Street client, please mention your interest to your Lead Advisor! Or, if you’re not a client but are interested in learning how we can help, schedule a complimentary introductory call with us. We hope to hear from you and look forward to exploring how we can make your post-exit dreams a reality.

Cary Facer

Wealth Advisor, Warren Street Wealth Advisors

Investment Advisor Representative, Warren Street Wealth Advisors, LLC., a Registered Investment Advisor

The information presented here represents opinions and is not meant as personal or actionable advice to any individual, corporation, or other entity. Any investments discussed carry unique risks and should be carefully considered and reviewed by you and your financial professional. Nothing in this document is a solicitation to buy or sell any securities, or an attempt to furnish personal investment advice. Warren Street Wealth Advisors may own securities referenced in this document. Due to the static nature of content, securities held may change over time and current trades may be contrary to outdated publications. Form ADV available upon request 714-876-6200.

Year-End Planning Checklist

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2020 has been a strange year for all of us, and although some financial planning deadlines have been modified due to the CARES Act, most 12/31 deadlines remain in place.  Below are items we are considering as we wrap up the year with our clients.  Should you have questions about whether or how any of the items below apply to you, please reach out to us as we will be happy to assist.  

 2020 Year-End Planning Items with 12/31 Deadline

  1. Maxing out 401(k) contributions:  Employees can contribute up to $19,500 (plus $6,500 extra for those over 50), into their 401(k)s for 2020.   If you have not yet contributed the maximum amount and your cash flow allows, consider increasing your contributions now to reach the maximum contribution amount prior to year end.  
  1. 401(k) Matching:  If your company offers a 401(k) match, it makes sense to take advantage of the full match opportunity every year.  If you have not received the full match for 2020, let us review your company’s 401(k) plan rules to determine if you can contribute enough to receive the full 2020 match before year end.  
  1. Charitable Giving for 2020:  There are some additional charitable deductions this year as part of the CARES Act.  There is a $300 deduction for taxpayers who don’t itemize, and for clients interested in large donations, taxpayers can deduct up to 100% of their adjusted gross income (up from 60%) for cash donations made to public charities. For clients with taxable accounts, we frequently recommend donating appreciated securities instead of cash via a donor-advised fund (DAF).  This strategy works well when a taxpayer has highly appreciated securities in taxable accounts, and/or in a year when income is higher allowing a client to benefit from a larger charitable deduction.  
  1. Gifting:  The annual gift exclusion amount for 2020 is $15,000 per taxpayer to each recipient.  (Married couples can give $30k.)  Make your annual gifts prior to 12/31 if you haven’t already!  
  1. Tax Loss/Gain Harvesting:  At Warren Street, we employ a continuous monitoring of client accounts for tax loss harvesting opportunities.  Similarly, if a client is experiencing a particularly low tax year, it may be the right time to strategically harvest capital gains.  
  1. Roth Conversions:  Although market downturns are not fun, they can certainly provide an opportunity for strategic Roth Conversions.  This is an annual planning item that we analyze for every Warren Street client.  
  1. LLC / Entity Formation:  If you are in the process of business entity formation for 2020, you may need to have your documents signed and filed prior to the end of the calendar year.  

If you have any questions about the above checklist or any other year-end planning questions, please feel free to reach out to your trusted wealth advisor. We are here to help!

Emily Balmages, CFP®, CRTP

Wealth Advisor, Warren Street Wealth Advisors

Investment Advisor Representative, Warren Street Wealth Advisors, LLC., a Registered Investment Advisor

The information presented here represents opinions and is not meant as personal or actionable advice to any individual, corporation, or other entity. Any investments discussed carry unique risks and should be carefully considered and reviewed by you and your financial professional. Nothing in this document is a solicitation to buy or sell any securities, or an attempt to furnish personal investment advice. Warren Street Wealth Advisors may own securities referenced in this document. Due to the static nature of content, securities held may change over time and current trades may be contrary to outdated publications. Form ADV available upon request 714-876-6200.