069: What Your CPA Isn't Telling You About Your Exit

Episode Summary Your CPA has never gotten you in trouble with the IRS. Deadlines are met, forms are filed, and everything looks fine. So why does the exit conversation still end with a massive, avoidable tax bill? Most business owners assume that when they sell, the tax hit is just something they'll deal with when it comes. Their CPA rarely brings it up first, because a CPA's job is compliance and reporting on what already happened, not proactive planning for what's ahead. In this episode, Adam and Steve Burton break down the difference between a CPA who prepares your taxes and a team that plans them, using a real client example where proactive tax strategy took a projected $3.4 million capital gains bill down to roughly $100,000. Adam and Steve discuss: Why most CPAs are historians, not strategists, and why that distinction only becomes expensive at the moment of exit. The difference between tax preparation and tax planning, and why timing (years before a sale, not after) determines which options are even available. A real client example where proactive planning reduced a projected $3.4 million capital gains tax bill to around $100,000 on a $13.1 million business sale. Why paying hundreds of thousands or millions in income taxes is itself a signal that it's time for a specialized tax planning team, not just a compliance-focused CPA. And more! Resources: Get your free personalized report at www.scaletosell.com/value Unlock your business's potential with our free Scale to Sell self-assessment Book your free discovery call with us today! Revenue vs. Enterprise Value (Ep. 65) Connect with Our Team: Website: Scale to Sell [email protected] LinkedIn: Scale to Sell Facebook: Scale to Sell YouTube: Scale to Sell Instagram: Scale to Sell Connect with Adam Burton and Steve Burton: LinkedIn: Adam Burton LinkedIn: Steve Burton