Pharmacy Transactions and Capital Gains Tax in Nevada

By Brad MacLiver
Authorship and profile at Google


Almost everything you own and use for personal, or business, purposes in Nevada is a capital asset. When pharmacy owners sell a capital asset, the difference between the amounts you sell it for and the amount you paid for it (the basis), is a capital gain, or a capital loss.

One strategy, but not the only one, that is currently available to assist the capital gains tax burden is the Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT). CRT’s are legally described as Split Interest Trusts. The term is used because of the blend of philanthropic motivations and personal financial aspects. CRT’s can decrease tax liabilities, increase a business owner financial wealth, and at the same time provide a vehicle for charitable giving.

CRT’s are formed when a person donates assets to this special type of Trust. Assets can be cash, stocks, real estate, etc. The CRT is set up for a set period of time, or until the donor’s (pharmacy owners) death. An individual (the Nevada pharmacy owner or family member) can receive income from the Trust’s assets. Upon the donor’s death the assets go to a designated charity. Part of the income from the Trust can be used to purchase life insurance on the donor. The proceeds of the life insurance go to a designated heir(s) who receive the money without incurring any estate tax liability.

CRT’s are a tax-planning tool and professional financial planners are using CRT’s to maximize their clients’ financial position, and at the same time increasing charitable donations.

Third party appraisals, or pharmacy business valuations, must be completed to determine the value of the asset or Nevada business. For the charitable deduction, the donated value will be limited to the cost basis of the asset and not the current fair market value. CRT’s, as a concept, are very simple to understand. However, strict and complex tax rules govern how and when a CRT can be set up.

As a tool for reducing capital gain taxes, CRT’s are often used when a business, or other highly appreciated asset, is going to be sold. In accordance to the IRS codes, assets must be transferred to the CRT before there is any obligation to sale the asset. Since CRT’s are irrevocable trusts, the assets cannot be taken back out of the CRT once donated. An owner of an asset, whose sole purpose it to attempt to reduce capital gain taxes on the sale of an asset, must be warned that if after the transfer of the asset to the CRT, and the sale of the asset does not happen for any reason, the asset cannot be returned. Strict, complex, and specific procedures must be followed in order to take advantage of the CRT benefits in Nevada. Only someone who has advanced knowledge in these matters should be retained to guide the donor through the process of setting up a CRT.

In order to qualify as a CRT, the trust is required to meet all conditions set forth in Internal Revenue Code 664 and it must meet every definition of and function as a CRT from its creation.  These requirements cannot be met unless every transfer to the trust can be qualified as a charitable deduction under the Internal Revenue Codes. 

There are a few issues which may affect the status of an asset's ability to be donated into a CRT.  Assets which don't qualify may reverse the benefits of the CRT, causing it to be revoked of its tax-exempt status.

When the CRT's donor in Nevada dies or it expires at the designated time period, its remaining assets in the Trust will automatically pass to the charitable organization specified.  This charity can be any legally-formed, tax-exempt organization, including family foundations.

As the tax rate increases, more and more business owners in Nevada will utilize tools like the CRT to put more money into their pocket legally instead of the government.  Business owners selling large assets like their company will typically use that money to invest in more assets, whether it be new equipment, personal real estate, or business real estate.

Over time there have been some less than respectable individuals who have tried to use CRT's and other financial tools in illegal scams.  With increases in capital gains taxes, there is an expectation that more scams will be lurking around.  Be cautious and aware of the possibilities, but remain confident that you are working with experts in your industry.  Use a company which has extensive experience with Nevada pharmacy and drug store acquisitions.  Experienced pharmacy consulting firms that have the knowledge and expertise in structuring transactions appropriately for tax purposes can save Nevada pharmacy owners large amounts of money when their pharmacy is sold.

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Buy-Sell Agreements for Pharmacy Owners in Nevada

By Brad MacLiver
Authorship and profile at Google


When a NV pharmacy is owned by two or more people the stockholders/partners should have a Buy-Sell Agreement. A buy-sell agreement is a written document that provides the procedures and governs the future sale of the pharmacy business.
               
Nevada pharmacy buy-sell Agreements protect the interest of the parties who own the pharmacy in NV and directs the actions triggered by a stockholder leaving the business due to death, disability, divorce, dissolution, or retirement. The agreement will govern how and when the shares of the pharmacy business can be sold, or transferred. It will also provide guidance as to how the pharmacy will be valued along with the obligations of the remaining shareholders of the NV pharmacy.

Buy-sell agreements are important because the different elements of a future sell are predetermined and won’t need to be negotiated during a heated dispute, or during a grieving period. It provides both the stockholder and the family a comfort level that when the inevitable time comes for an exit strategy that the process was thoroughly thought out in advance.

Disadvantages of not having a buy-sell agreement between pharmacy owners in Nevada is that a disability may leave one partner working more and another not adding to the productivity. In the event of a death, without an agreement, one partner may be left with a nonproductive heir, or a new partner may be inserted that has personality conflicts with the surviving partner. The wrong partner could be devastating for the NV pharmacy business.

There are various types of buy-sell agreements such as: Entity Buy-Sell Agreement, Cross-Purchase Buy-Sell Agreement, Wait and See Buy-Sell Agreement, Disability Buy-Sell Agreement. Buy-sell agreements are also known as a Business Will or a Buyout Agreement.

Potential elements of a Nevada Buy-Sell Agreement: 1. The names of, voting rights, and quantity of shares belonging to stockholders.
2. Guiding procedures for the certified pharmacy valuation and potential purchase of a stockholder’s shares.
3. Mutual covenants and considerations.
4. Restrictions on the transferring, purchasing or encumbering Nevada pharmacy’s stock.
5. Established protocol in the event of a shareholder’s death, disability, or divorce from a shareholders employment.
6. Obligation to buy/sell shares from an estate.
7. Purchasing of insurance to ensure obligations are met.
8. Purchase of stock paid either in one lump sum or in instalments.
9. Remedies for either a breach of the agreement or default of payment.
10. The right to inspect books and records until transfer has been completed.
11. Notices and amendments and for legal matters or offers.
12. The ability to enforce the agreement, its binding effects, and arbitration procedures for any disputes.
13. Process for dissolution, or liquidation, of the corporation.
14. Maintaining the premises during a transition.
15. Preserving representations and warranties.
16. The terms of transfer.
17. Bill of Sale.

To ensure that the money required is available, buy-sell agreements are often funded with a life insurance policy. Should the death of one of pharmacy owners occur, the life insurance settlement will provide the funds for the remaining pharmacy owner in Nevada to buyout the partners shares from the estate.

Life insurance coverage for each partner needs to be in place, because without a way to accomplish the purchase of the NV pharmacy shares the buy-sell agreement will not be functional. As the business grows and develops the amount of insurance need to be adjusted to provide an adequate coverage. Without the insurance the surviving stockholder may not have enough cash to satisfy the amount required to buy out the estate - leaving the survivor with an unwanted partner.

To have the adequate insurance coverage and to determine the specifics of the buy-out terms, a certified pharmacy business valuation is needed. There are a large number of companies that provide business valuations. Due to the dynamics and current market conditions of the Nevada pharmacy industry a valuation firm should have extensive pharmacy experience. Simple accounting formulas and multipliers will not provide an adequate, or realistic, valuation for a NV pharmacy business.

NV Pharmacy buy-sell agreements are extremely important documents that need to be completed with seriousness and care. Even with a long standing partnership, it is only too late to create a buy-sell agreement when an event has already occurred....that would require the document.

Tips for Nevada Pharmacy & Drug Store Owners:
1. Buy-Sell Agreements are critical documents that should not be taken lightly. Consult a licensed professional.
2. Documents must address the proper laws and regulations which vary from state to state. Seek the proper guidance.
3. Premiums for insurance that will fund the buy-sell agreement might be deductible.
4. Ensure that the Nevada pharmacy valuation is performed by an established NV pharmacy industry expert.