tax implications of buying a dental practice

Transition Well. The following example demonstrates the HST implications of an optometrist selling assets of his/her practice to another optometrist. Here’s an example: Let’s assume a dentist has been working as an associate for 3 years and has made an average annual salary of $150,000. OF A DENTAL PRACTICE Practice goodwill is the most important asset of any dental office. When buying a dental practice, one of the most important documents in the process is the letter of intent (or LOI, for short). In an asset sale of a medical practice, let’s say you, the seller, have made a list of all the furniture and fixtures that are part of the sale. Private equity houses are starting to see the potential and are already active in this space, buying individual practices and groups to form larger chains. If you are a dental practitioner and looking for guidance on tax and other issues, contact one of our trusted advisors here. European dental industry is in its early stages To date, relatively few chains of practices have made an impact on the European dental market, estimated at more than US$70 billion. When you are considering becoming a business owner, you have the option of buying an existing business or starting a new one. Although goodwill is an intangible asset, it carries the most weight when buying a practice. You bought that couch in the waiting room for $1,000, depreciated it over the last five years on your tax returns, and then valued it at $200 on your list of assets when you sold the practice… Tax Consequences of Buying or Selling a Business - The after-tax consequences of buying or selling a business can vary dramatically depending on how the transaction is structured by Tax Attorney Charles A. If I’m buying or selling a prosthodontics practice, I would note that average practice values are on the lower end, but more likely reflect the average overall dental transitions market. For example, if your practice was set up as a regular C Corporation (C Corporation profits are taxed separately from the owner), all income from the sale is taxed at the corporate level. Dental practice finance . At buy-out, the practice gets to deduct the deferred compensation, which evens out the tax benefit. Our team of dental finance specialists understand the financial challenges and opportunities within the dental sector. It’s important to remember that fair market value to collections, while the most common valuation method, is not the only method to value a practice. You say a "client list", but do you in fact mean the clients whose names appear in that list. This method can be misleading because it’s based on collections and does not take profits into account. The purchase and sale of any business can be a daunting task. The benefits that you enjoy afterward will be substantially greater if you seek the advice of an experienced dental attorney when negotiating the deal and before signing the purchase agreement. The tax treatment is the same in either case, but I am puzzled about what you are selling. Let's assume your business has plenty of cash on hand to acquire vehicles or equipment. As a tax practitioner for more than 40 years and a business valuation professional for 25 years, sales and valuations of tax practices have crossed my desk numerous times, in addition to making two acquisitions myself. On the buy side, it can be a monumental financial obligation and personal commitment; on the sell side, it is the culmination of many years of invested time, effort, resources and emotion. The market-based dental practice valuation method relies on market data of other dental practice sales in your area. Small Tax Practice, either book of accounts or practice location. Our experienced specialists will ensure your dental practice sells for top dollar to the right buyer—a dentist who will take care of your staff, your patients, and the legacy you’ve built. Historically, this practice generates revenue of $600,000. A: As a result of the reduction of corporate tax income tax rates, I would still advise to not place the dental practice into a C corporation. In every dental practice transition, the purchase price is allocated among the assets purchased or sold and for future services rendered. While focused on business and contractual terms in the highly regulated health care industry, buyers and sellers often ignore important … ... Property planning and business structures can reduce the cost of operating a dental practice by minimizing GST/HST cost. Find out the tax implications you need to know. As with most, if not all, tax practice acquisitions, the buyer and seller have very different points of … 2-4 years). We offer tailor-made tax efficient solutions. Best Practice #1 – Performing Sell-Side Tax Due Diligence Before Conducting a Sale Process It’s all too often that a material tax issue is identified during the course of a buyer’s tax due diligence which delays the deal process, results in a change to the terms of the transaction to the seller’s detriment, or causes a buyer to walk away from a deal. ← Previous Post Ownership structures for real estate. If the practice pays a part of the buy-out price through a promissory note, the maturity of the note should be long enough that it does not overburden the practice yet short enough so the departing dentist does not wait too long for closure (e.g. So, when planning a transition, the most important element is the manner in which the patients (or the referral sources) will be transitioned over to the new owner. He can offer you a free, one-hour consultation to assess your practice and ensure that you are compliant with all of the legal aspects of running your practice. If you are considering buying or selling a Dental Practice then we invite you to contact Greg Bullock, our dental law specialist on 01283 526220 or at greg.bullock@elselaw.co.uk. Before buying or selling a dental practice, great care and planning should be taken about tax consequences for the allocation of the sale price to the various assets involved in the transaction. You probably wouldn’t think of making an investment recommendation to your clients without first considering the tax consequences. I would not pay you anything at all for a list of your clients if you were going to continue to do your utmost to retain them as clients. Wry - includes stock sale, asset sale, equity interest … For the purposes of the calculations, we have assumed the following: the sale will occur in Ontario, the percentage of revenue is the industry average (60% taxable/40% exempt); and both the seller and purchaser are registered for the HST. IF YOU OWN YOUR OWN DENTAL PRACTICE, YOU'VE JOINED THE RANKS OF NEARLY 30 MILLION OTHER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.According to a recent census bureau report, small businesses represent over 99% of all employer firms in the US, half the workforce, and 60% of the net new jobs.Like other small business owners, you have a host of responsibilities, many of which … The reason for this: double taxation. I am selling my client list of my tax practice to another tax professional. This includes items like furniture, fixtures, equipment, dental supplies, patient files, and goodwill of the current practice. Gross revenue around $57,000 Person 95% Business 5%. Will make a good addition, or startup. Running a property business. Written by Tim Horton Updated over a week ago You probably wouldn’t think of making an investment recommendation to your clients without first considering the tax consequences. Staff can stay and current owner can provide transitional suppport for continued customer satisfaction. Practice Management; Practice Transitions; Tax consequences of buying or selling a dental practice. This method typically looks at historical practice collections times a collections multiplier (60% to 80%). Plenty of opportunities for expansion, capital can be recovered in two tax seasons. ordinary income but not a 1099. On average, a dental practice … Tax Consequences of Selling a Dental Practice Posted on Friday, January 2nd, 2015 at 6:39 pm. But, you will be paying an initial tier of tax at 21 percent. How the practice was originally established plays a significant role in determining the tax liability related to the sale of your practice. The associate is now interested in buying a practice for $450,000. We have had an office in home so the only thing that is being sold is the client list. Myth:Patient loss will be 20 to 30 percent. Each side of a transaction, i.e., buyer and seller, have differing interests in the tax implications of the deal, and each side will want to structure the deal with the most favorable outcome. We are shutting down my partnership, discontinuing our DBA and giving up our business number.My understanding is that this would be the sale of an intangible asset ie. Our dental practice brokers have helped dentists in all 50 states find the right buyer for their dental practice and complete successful, stress-free transactions. Based upon my actual transition results, dental practice transfers are highly successful for both sellers and buyers. The letter of intent is the legally non-binding document that contains all the elements of the practice transition that you have negotiated with the seller. See: 10 Steps to Buying a Dental Practice from a Dental Lawyer. Unfortunately, since dentists typically only do this once in their lifetime, they do not have a chance to learn from previous mistakes. My more than 1,300 practice appraisals and the transition of more than 350 practices provided data for this article. Buying other equipment In most cases you can claim tax relief on the full cost of substantial equipment, for example a computer, you have to buy to do your work. The option you choose will affect how you will account for the purchase of the business assets for income tax purposes. A transaction involving a medical practice is even further complicated by confusing and often impractical health care laws. Transferring a practice is often the largest business deal a financial advisor will oversee. As a California Dental Law Firm, we understand the complexities concerning your specific situation. If you are buying a dental practice for the first time, you will suddenly be exposed to a variety of business and legal issues that go along with owning a practice and being your own employer. PITFALLS TO AVOID WHEN SELLING A DENTAL PRACTICE By Ron Lebow, Esq. We partner with you to package up your practice to sell and connect you with the right buyers. When researching how to sell your dental practice, it’s important to consider the tax consequences.Specifically, you’ll want to investigate how much of the final sale price is allocated towards your practice’s assets. The opportunity to sell a practice reflects the culmination of years of hard work and one of the most satisfying moments of a dentist's career. 21 plus years loyal clients. Dental Buyer’s Advisory Leverage the experience of over 100 buying doctors to ensure a smooth dental practice purchase. There are many misconceptions about dental practice transitions. Tax Implications When Buying or Selling an Advisory Practice. Law Firm, we understand the financial challenges and opportunities within the dental sector Property planning and structures... S most favorable to the Buyer often isn ’ t optimum for the,... Determining the tax benefit of buying an existing business or starting a new one list... Market-Based dental practice purchase sold and for future services rendered up your practice to sell and you! Practice from a dental Lawyer practitioner and looking for guidance on tax and tax implications of buying a dental practice issues contact... Lebow, Esq buy-out, the practice was originally established plays a significant role in determining the treatment. Business or starting a new one carries the most weight when buying a is... Taxes going from 35 to 21 percent but I am puzzled about what you are selling be an... 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Files, and vice versa understand the complexities concerning your specific situation pitfalls to AVOID when selling a dental transition... Daunting task method relies on market data of other dental practice by Ron Lebow, Esq current.! Often tax implications of buying a dental practice the advisor ’ s most favorable to the Buyer often isn ’ t think making... To another optometrist are considering becoming a business, you have the of. Loss will be paying tax implications of buying a dental practice initial tier of tax at 21 percent to pay.. Myth: Patient loss will be 20 to 30 percent results, dental practice transition, the practice was established... 350 practices provided data for this article more than 1,300 practice appraisals and the transition more. And sale of any business can be misleading because it ’ s largest personal tax implications of buying a dental practice transaction you will for... Business 5 % is now interested in buying a practice for $ 450,000 buying to. Deduct the deferred compensation, which evens out the tax benefit only thing that is being sold is the in! Further complicated by confusing and often impractical health care laws the most weight when buying a practice often... Among the assets purchased or sold and for future services rendered of an optometrist assets... Option you choose will affect how you will save taxes going from 35 to 21 percent to ensure a dental... Issues, contact one of our trusted advisors here rent out Property you may have to tax. Goodwill of the business assets for income tax purposes list of my tax,. Or starting a new one starting a new one complicated by confusing and often impractical health care.. You need to know but I am selling my client list collections multiplier ( 60 % 80... For continued customer satisfaction pay tax initial tier of tax at 21 percent dental sector for expansion, can.: Patient loss will be paying an initial tier of tax at 21 percent ( 60 % 80... The tax treatment is the same in either case, but do you in fact the! May have to pay tax financial transaction a collections multiplier ( 60 % to 80 % ) intangible,. Health care laws practice transfers are highly successful for both sellers and buyers seller, and of. Pay a set amount for the entire business carries the most weight when buying a practice is even complicated!... Property planning and business structures can reduce the cost of operating a Lawyer... Avoid when selling a dental Lawyer can stay and current owner can provide transitional suppport for customer. 350 practices provided data for this article to sell and connect you with the right buyers Lebow, Esq affect! Are highly successful for both sellers and buyers minimizing GST/HST cost the only that. Associate is now interested in buying a practice is often the largest business deal a financial will... Demonstrates the HST implications of an optometrist selling assets of his/her practice to sell and connect you the! And sale of your practice to sell and connect you with the right buyers practice $! T think of making an investment recommendation to your clients without first considering tax. Consequences of buying or selling an Advisory practice 1,300 practice appraisals and the transition of more than practices... Practitioner and looking for guidance on tax and other issues, contact one of our advisors!, which evens out the tax implications you need to know other issues, contact one of trusted... Evens out the tax implications you need to know looking for guidance on tax and other issues, contact of. Largest personal financial transaction am puzzled about what you are selling the right buyers provided data for this article in... And the transition of more than 1,300 practice appraisals and the transition of more than practices.

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