Using Tax Strategies When Selling Connecticut Pharmacies

By Brad MacLiver
Authorship and profile at Google


Industry Roll-Ups are where an industry’s many players are consolidated into smaller groups for economic benefits. CT pharmacy buyers participate in the Connecticut pharmacy industry roll-up to achieve economies of scale in purchasing, marketing, information systems, logistics, distribution, and top management. Pharmacy sellers both independent owners and drug store chains must consider their current market value, recognize the narrowing of profit margins, and realize what their tax consequences will be if they sell.

When Connecticut pharmacy owners sell their pharmacy it is considered a capital asset. The difference between the amounts it is sold for and the amount spent to either purchase or start the CT pharmacy is a capital gain, or a capital loss. In the U.S., all capital gains must be reported and the appropriate tax paid.

Specific tax strategies can be used to help offset the tax liabilities when selling a pharmacy or a drug store. Unless a professional is handling a large number of CT pharmacy acquisitions, they usually do not know these federal regulations that allow for reducing the tax liability for the pharmacy owner in Connecticut.

Many Business Brokers, CPA’s, attorneys, and other professional advisors inform their clients that selling a pharmacy will result in tax consequences. However, most of these professionals do not handle the buying and selling of Connecticut pharmacies on a daily basis and may not realize the different aspects of structuring a pharmacy transaction allowing the reduction of the tax burden to the pharmacy owner in Connecticut.

There are some capital gain tax strategies that must be implemented before any obligation to sell the CT pharmacy. When a drug store owner is considering selling their pharmacy either now, or in the next few years, it is urgent the best course of action be considered now instead of later.

Estate planning when selling a pharmacy should also be a consideration. Specific federal regulations allow an asset to be converted to an income stream, provide a tax deduction, increase asset diversification, and provide risk reduction, along with offering effective retirement and estate planning. If the pharmacy seller is nearing a retirement age, or will be working as a pharmacist in Connecticut for another company, instead of being an owner, then estate planning should also be considered.

As more reimbursements are cut and more regulations are applied, and Connecticut pharmacy profits continue to slip, more independent pharmacy owners along with small and regional pharmacy chains in CT will be considering selling their pharmacies and drug stores. Tax considerations should be a primary part of your decision process.

Connecticut pharmacy owners should consult with a pharmacy industry expert for advice on structuring the sale of their pharmacy. Someone with extensive experience in CT pharmacy and drug store acquisitions will have the knowledge and expertise to structure the transaction for tax considerations. Like all tax planning issues, waiting until the end of the year is not always the best strategy. Following this advice can place larger sums of money in the bank of pharmacy owners when a pharmacy is sold in CT.

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