buckworks - 3:04 pm on Mar 2, 2010 (gmt 0)

It is vital to get qualified advice about taxes before you complete the deal or even sign a letter of intent.

Consult with a knowledgeable accountant NOW because intelligent tax planning could make a major difference to the amount that actually ends up in your pocket.

The way the deal is structured and how things are labelled could make a big difference to how taxes are assessed. Are you selling your whole business, or just one asset, or ... ? Is there a corporation involved? What are the tax implications of selling intellectual property versus selling good will versus selling hard assets? And so on ...

The fact that buyer and seller come from different countries will add an extra layer of complication. In general, tax optimization strategies that are good for the buyer will be less good for the seller, and vice versa so to make a good deal you will need to negotiate several aspects besides just the price.