Why do people perform business valuations?

Business valuations are performed for a variety of reasons. Here are some of the most common reasons why business valuations are performed:

  1. Sale of a business: When a business is being sold, a valuation is often performed to determine the fair market value of the business. This can help the seller determine a reasonable asking price and can help the buyer assess the value of the business.

  2. Estate planning: A business valuation can be an important part of estate planning. The value of the business can impact estate and gift taxes, and a valuation can help ensure that the business is transferred in a tax-efficient manner.

  3. Partnership disputes: In the case of a partnership dispute, a business valuation can be used to determine the value of the business and to allocate assets between the partners.

  4. Divorce: A business valuation can be used in divorce proceedings to determine the value of the business and to allocate assets between the spouses.

  5. Financing: When seeking financing for a business, a valuation may be required to determine the value of the business and to assess the ability of the business to repay the loan.

  6. Litigation: In the case of litigation, a business valuation may be used to determine damages in a breach of contract case or to assess the value of a business in a shareholder dispute.

  7. Succession planning: A business valuation can be an important part of succession planning. It can help ensure that the business is transferred to the next generation in a fair and equitable manner.

In general, business valuations are performed to provide an objective assessment of the value of a business. This can be useful in a variety of contexts, including buying or selling a business, estate planning, partnership disputes, divorce, financing, litigation, and succession planning.