Bank on Wipfli podcast: How to reduce your tax burden when selling an RIA firm

In this episode of Bank on Wipfli, host Robert Zondag sits down with Dan Pastron and Cory Vargo, tax partners at Wipfli, to discuss how registered investment advisors can structure the sale of their firm to maximize after-tax value. Together, they explore critical tax and structuring considerations for RIA transactions, including:

• The impact of legal entity structure — asset vs. stock sales and why most RIA deals are treated as asset sales for tax purposes.
• Key tax planning considerations around rollover equity, including how to preserve tax deferral and avoid unexpected liquidity issues.
• Challenges related to allocating proceeds among shareholders at different career stages and how entity structure can limit or enable flexibility.
• The importance of early planning, state tax considerations and involving experienced advisors well before taking a firm to market.

Learn more

• Why FP&A is essential for RIAs in a changing industry
• Succession planning’s role in your financial institution
• Succession planning of sell-side prep — or both?