Deferring Taxes, Preserving Wealth: A High-Stakes Business Sale

By, John M. Goralka
Sacramento, CA

We represent two (2) clients who formed a business with an investment of approximately $1.2 million in 2023. The clients were in the process of selling the company through an investment banker for over $600 million. The sale was expected to close within 60 days or so.

Those that work with us for tax planning know that we need up to two (2) years or more to implement the best tax minimization strategies. Despite the short time frame, we successfully designed an intermediate structured sale to defer tax for up to 30 years. We were able to also utilize a split interest charitable trust and charitable lead annuity trust to substantially minimize tax on the sale. Before implementation, the sale was put on hold by the investment banker negotiating the sale due to the uncertainty in the market place due to the tariffs being imposed.

Sacramento Estate Planning, Tax Planning and Business Attorney.

I’m John Goralka, a Sacramento Estate Planning, Tax Planning and Business Attorney at the Goralka Law Firm, P.C. If you have an estate, tax or business situation needing legal help, contact our team for experienced and friendly advice. You can contact us at 916-440-8036. Alternatively, you can use our convenient online contact form here on our website. We listen, and you can have your questions answered, your case evaluated, and explore your options for getting the legal help you need.

There are almost 200,000 attorneys in the state of California, and fewer than 100 of those attorneys are State Bar Specialists in Estate Planning, Trusts and Probate and State Bar Specialists in Taxation. I am one of the few attorneys with both critical specializations. I passed the California CPA examination and am a former income tax auditor and hearing officer. I am also recognized as a top attorney in the United States by US News and World Reports and by Best Lawyers and hold an AV rating from Martindale which is the premiere rating organization for attorneys. The AV rating is the highest possible rating for legal experience and for legal ethics.

For help in Sacramento with estate planning, business planning or tax planning, please contact our office.