Business Continuation
Planning
Is the business readily marketable? Can the assets be easily converted to cash
for the benefit of your family? Is there a logical successor who can take
over the business? partner other shareholders key person family member
What will happen to your business at your death?
The business can be sold to an outsider, or The remaining owner(s) can continue in
business with the deceased’s spouse, or family, or
The deceased’s interest can be sold to the remaining owner(s), or other interested party, or
The business can be liquidated.
When a business owner dies…
The most logical solution is to keep the business going by allowing the remaining owner(s) or other interested parties to purchase the deceased’s business interest from the family under favourable conditions.
In most cases
Buy/Sell Agreement
How is this done?
A legal agreement which provides for the transfer of a business interest in the event of:
• death• disability• retirement• desire to leave business
Buy Sell AgreementWhat is it?
Business owners, either shareholders or partners
Business owner and key employee(s) Business owner and child/children
Buy Sell AgreementWho is it between?
For the deceased’s family …
They have a guaranteed market for the business interest
They are guaranteed a fair price They are not forced to become involved
in the business or be dependent upon remaining owner(s)
It facilitates the settlement of the deceased’s estate
What are the benefits?
The business keeps running They continue as sole owner(s) without
involvement from deceased’s family It provides a smooth transfer of the
business interest The sale price, or the method to
determine it, is fixed in the agreement
For the remaining owner(s) ...
What are the benefits?
There are NO SURPRISES! The agreement is entered into when all
parties are alive and have input into details of the business continuation plan.
For all parties ...
What are the benefits?
The agreement establishes the terms of transfer of the business interest
however
where does the money come from to complete the transaction?
Where does the money come from?
Sell personal assets Borrow funds Pay over time Life insurance
Let’s examine each of these sources ...
Sources of money at death
Potential loss of value if forced sale Possible loss of income producing
assets
Potential tax consequences
Insufficient funds provided
Sell Personal Assets – except there might be …
Can a lender be found? Interest payments will add to cost. Can business generate sufficient
funds to repay loan?
Borrow funds, however…
Deceased’s family is dependent on ongoing success of business
It could negatively affect the cash flow of the business
The remaining owners must pay both principal and interest
Which leads to ...
Pay over time, but …
It provides immediate cash when required
It’s economical - the annual cost is a fraction of the benefit ultimately paid
The insurance proceeds are tax-free The business continues unencumbered
Life Insurance "The Economical Method"
Payment Provisions
Insurance
Valuation and Price
Right to sell
Conditions for forced
sale
What does the agreement cover?Key Buy Sell provisions
Conditions for a forced sale Provides for transfer at death, permanent
disability, retirement, violation of shareholders agreement.
Right to sell provisions Existing owner(s) must be offered chance
to buy shares before sale to third party.
Valuation and Price A formula for valuing the shares should be
included in the agreement.
What do these mean?
Insurance corporate or personally owned insurance amount of insurance coverage type of insurance policy
Payment provisions Include details of how the remaining
owner(s) will pay for the business interest terms of payments, interest and security on
loan if insurance proceeds are insufficient for complete funding
What do these mean?
Personally owned
Criss cross
Corporate owned
Promissory note Share redemption
Insurance Funding Methods
B o w nsin su ra nce o n A
A o w n s 5 0%
A o w nsin su ra nce o n B
B o w n s 5 0%
C o m p a ny
Personally Owned Criss Cross
A dies
B A’s family
Insurance proceeds
A’s shares
B owns 100% of co.
Personally Owned Criss Cross
Advantages
easy to understandcorporate creditors
have no access to insurance proceeds
insurance proceeds received tax-free
Disadvantagesmay be inequitable
insurance costs due to age, health and percentage of ownership
insurance premiums paid with after tax personal dollars
Criss Cross
A o w n s 5 0% B o w n s 5 0%
C o m p a ny
Company owns life insurance on A and B.
Company is owner, premium payer and beneficiary.
Corporate Owned
A dies
B A’s family
Promissory note
shares
B owns 100% of co.
Corporate Owned Promissory Note Method
Insurance proceeds
Company
Capital Dividend Account
Tax free capital dividends
BRepays noteA’s family
Corporate Owned Promissory Note Method
Advantages
premiums paid with corporate dollars
impact of premium differentials reduced
Disadvantages
more complex than criss cross
life insurance proceeds are not protected against corporate creditors at death
Promissory Note
A diesInsurance proceeds
Company
A’s family
$ from CDA
A’s shares B now owns 100% of co.
Corporate Owned Share Redemption Method
Advantages
premiums paid with corporate dollars
impact of premium differentials reduced
Disadvantages
complex arrangementlife insurance
proceeds are not protected against corporate creditors at death
Share Redemption
Considerations:
Tax bracket of company and individual
Is capital gains exemption available?
Degree of complexity involved
Terms of the buy/sell agreement
Number and ages of parties to agreement and percentage of ownership
Which method is best?
What capital gains implications arise on transfer of business interest?
Do shares qualify for $500,000 capital gains exemption?
Does agreement allow for payment of tax free $10,000 death benefit?
Are wills co-ordinated with agreement?
Income Tax Issues
This presentation is a general overview of business continuation arrangements.
Consult your legal and accounting advisors for detailed information.
Regular review of agreement and funding is recommended.
But, Please Remember …