10/26/2026
If you're even loosely thinking about selling your business in 2027 or 2028, I want to be direct with you:
The tax planning window for that sale is open right now — and it starts closing at year-end.
Here's why the calendar matters more than most owners realize:
→ QSBS qualification, entity restructuring, and ownership gifting strategies generally need to be in place well before a transaction — some benefit from years of runway, and courts look skeptically at moves made with a buyer already at the table
→ Gifting business interests to family or trusts before a sale means transferring at today's appraised value — often with valuation discounts — instead of the sale price. After a letter of intent exists, that window narrows dramatically
→ Trust structures (GRATs, IDGTs, CRTs) take months to design, draft, and fund properly
→ Even basic cleanup — financial statements, contracts, cap table — is the difference between a smooth diligence process and a price reduction
The pattern I see repeatedly: an owner gets an unsolicited offer, gets excited, and calls their advisor 60 days before closing asking how to reduce the tax bill. At that point, most of the best tools are off the table. The difference between planning three years out and three months out is routinely seven figures.
You don't need to be certain you're selling. You need to be ready to sell well.
This quarter is the time to start that work for a 2027-28 exit. At B1 Financial, exit planning is core work for us. DM me or call the team.
Advisory services are offered through B1 Financial. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. Please consult your own professional advisors regarding your specific circumstances.
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