Using Tax Strategies When Selling Pharmacies in Washington

By Brad MacLiver
Authorship and profile at Google


Industry Roll-Ups are where an industry’s many players are consolidated into smaller groups for economic benefits. Washington (WA) pharmacy buyers participate in the pharmacy industry roll-up to achieve economies of scale in purchasing, marketing, information systems, logistics, distribution, and top management. Washington pharmacy sellers both independent owners and drug store chains must consider their current market value, recognize the narrowing of profit margins, and realize what their tax consequences will be if they sell.

When pharmacy owners sell their pharmacy in Washington it is considered a capital asset. The difference between the amounts it is sold for and the amount spent to either purchase or start the pharmacy is a capital gain, or a capital loss. In the U.S., all capital gains must be reported and the appropriate tax paid.

Specific tax strategies can be used to help offset the tax liabilities when selling a Washington pharmacy or a drug store. Unless a professional is handling a large number of pharmacy acquisitions, they usually do not know these federal regulations that allow for reducing the tax liability for the pharmacy owner in WA.

Many Business Brokers, CPA’s, attorneys, and other professional advisors inform their clients that selling a Washington pharmacy will result in tax consequences. However, most of these professionals do not handle the buying and selling of pharmacies on a daily basis and may not realize the different aspects of structuring a WA pharmacy transaction allowing the reduction of the tax burden to the pharmacy owner.

There are some capital gain tax strategies that must be implemented before any obligation to sell the Washington pharmacy. When a drug store owner is considering selling their pharmacy either now, or in the next few years, it is urgent the best course of action be considered now instead of later.

Estate planning when selling a WA pharmacy should also be a consideration. Specific federal regulations allow an asset to be converted to an income stream, provide a tax deduction, increase asset diversification, and provide risk reduction, along with offering effective retirement and estate planning. If the pharmacy seller in Washington is nearing a retirement age, or will be working as a WA pharmacist for another company, instead of being an owner, then estate planning should also be considered.

As reimbursements are cut, more regulations are applied, and pharmacy profits continue to slip, more independent pharmacy owners along with small and regional pharmacy chains in Washington will be considering selling their pharmacies and drug stores. Tax considerations should be a paramount part of the decision process.

Pharmacy owners should consult with a pharmacy industry expert for advice on structuring the sale of their Washington pharmacy. Someone with extensive experience in pharmacy and drug store acquisitions will have the knowledge and expertise to structure the transaction for tax considerations. Like all tax planning issues, waiting until the end of the year is not always the best strategy. Following this advice can place larger sums of money in the bank of WA pharmacy owners when a pharmacy is sold.

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