In healthcare, the buying and selling of medical practices is a common occurrence. Whether you are a physician looking to expand your reach or a practitioner considering retirement, understanding the tax implications of these transactions is crucial.
Key Considerations when Buying a Medical Practice
Due Diligence in Financial Analysis: Thoroughly examining the financial health of the practice is essential. This involves scrutinizing revenue streams, expenses, and potential risks. Some of the questions that need to be answered at this stage are:
- Will the purchased cash flow continued into the future?
- What are the risks to the cash flow?
Legal Aspects and Contracts: Understanding the legal framework of the transaction is vital. Clear and comprehensive contracts are necessary to protect both the buyer and the seller. As a seller understanding the asset purchase versus stock purchase is key. As a buyer you will want an asset purchase and as a seller you’ll likely try for a stock purchase.
Understanding Existing Tax Structure: While understanding the existing tax structure is important, it might not always be relevant since the parties will need to agree on an asset purchase versus a stock purchase. And Depending on selection, the seller might have ordinary income tax implications.
Tax Implications for the Buyer
Potential Deductions and Credits: Identifying deductible expenses and available tax credits can significantly impact the overall cost of the acquisition. As a buyer you’ll always want an asset acquisition in order to deduct the purchase price over time. If a stock purchase, none of the purchase price can be deducted.
Depreciation of Assets Acquired: Understanding the depreciation schedule of acquired assets is crucial for accurate financial planning. Note that under an asset acquisition, a buyer will want to allocate as much of the purchase price to depreciable assets and that allocation to intangible assets have a longer write off period.
Impact on Future Tax Liabilities: Anticipating how the purchase will affect future tax obligations is key for long-term financial planning. Which is why having a seasoned CPA, such as Reed Tinsley in your corner is crucial.
Key Considerations when Selling Your Medical Practice
Valuation of the Practice: Accurately determining the value of the practice is foundational for a fair and successful sale. Sales price can be determined by independent valuation or by a broker’s proprietary formulary.
Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Ensuring compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements is essential to avoid complications during the sale. Thus, legal representation is crucial at this state in the process. All parties involved should always look at state laws impacting the sale of a medical practice and related patient transition.
Tax Implications for the Seller
Mitigating Tax Liability Through Proper Planning: Strategic tax planning can help minimize the tax burden on the seller. A pure stock sale is uncommon, so the seller will want to structure the deal to allocate as much of the purchase price as possible to intangible assets rather than tangible assets.
Handling Depreciation Recapture: A seller will need to pay careful attention to depreciation recapture to avoid unexpected tax liabilities. The seller will want to structure the deal to allocate as little of the purchase price as possible to fixed assets, which could trigger depreciation recapture taxed at higher ordinary income rates. Proper planning around depreciation recapture is crucial for the seller to mitigate tax impacts and maximize after-tax proceeds from the transaction.
The implications of any sale transaction depends on who you are representing – the buyer or the seller. Also, bringing the transaction to close requires legal representation by experienced attorney’s in physician practice sales. Keep in mind finalizing the transaction does not happen overnight – it's a process. Working with a professional, such as Reed Tinsley, is key to ensuring a smooth transaction and optimizing financial outcomes.
Have questions? I’m here to help.
