Business Sale and Transfer: Financial and Tax Levers to Maximize Your Deal

Selling or transferring a business is a pivotal moment in a business owner's journey. Proper preparation can make the difference between a successful transaction and a missed opportunity. From valuation and structuring to tax planning, every decision matters when it comes to optimizing your exit.

In my advisory experience, I've often seen two similar companies sold under completely different terms based on strategic choices made ahead of time. Today, I'm sharing the most powerful financial and tax levers to help you maximize the value of your business sale.

📈 Smart Business Valuation Before the Sale

🔹 Optimize EBITDA and Profitability: Buyers are ultimately purchasing future cash flows. Improving margins and reducing non-strategic costs directly increases your valuation.

🔹 Anticipate Working Capital Needs: Tight cash flow can scare off buyers or lead to a lower price. Optimizing your working capital improves the risk profile and reassures investors.

🔹 Build an Attractive Business Model: Recurring revenue models (SaaS, subscriptions, long-term contracts) tend to be valued much higher than traditional transactional ones.

💰 Key Tax Strategies to Optimize Your Sale

The tax aspect is often underestimated by business owners, yet it can turn a good deal into a great one.

✅ Choosing Between Share Sale and Asset Sale: Tax implications vary significantly depending on how the deal is structured.

✅ Leverage the "Pacte Dutreil": If planning a family transfer, this mechanism can greatly reduce inheritance taxes.

✅ Structure a Solid Deal Setup: Aim for the most advantageous personal tax outcome with a well-structured approach.

📌 Case Study: How Casteldoza Finance Optimized a Business Sale

At Casteldoza Finance, we guide business owners through the structuring and successful execution of their sales. Here's a recent example:

📍 Sector: Media, Technology, Telecom
💰 Deal Size: €6 million
📅 Process Duration: 9 months

Our 3-step approach:

✔️ Strategic Preparation: In-depth valuation, drafting of the information memorandum and financial forecasts, and setting a clear roadmap.
✔️ Deal Execution: Identification and engagement of potential buyers, NDAs, and organization of initial discussions.
✔️ Closing the Deal: Offer analysis, due diligence coordination, negotiation, and contract signing.

🎯 Result: A competitive bidding process led to a selling price that exceeded the owner's initial expectations.

To maximize your deal, early planning and a rigorous process are essential.

Don't wait until the last minute to structure your sale. The best transactions are the ones prepared well in advance.

For a personalized consultation or to discuss your plans, feel free to reach out:

Lorraine Delannoy, Casteldoza Finance
📧 l.delannoy@casteldoza.com | 📞 +33 6 83 25 30 59

Let's turn your ambitions into reality—together.