Most entrepreneurs focus on growing their business—but few prepare properly to sell it. From overlooking tax basis and deal structure to neglecting clean financials and pre-sale tax planning, these common mistakes can significantly reduce your after-tax proceeds. In this article, we break down four critical steps that can protect your leverage, maximize value, and help you keep more of what you’ve built.

Many franchise owners overpay the IRS not because they lack profit, but because their business structure isn’t optimized. Operating under a default LLC can mean unnecessary self-employment taxes and missed deductions, while the right structure — like an S-Corp election — could potentially save thousands each year.

Tax depreciation isn’t just compliance—it’s a cash-flow strategy. With 100% bonus depreciation returning in 2025 and new rules around Qualified Improvement Property (QIP) and the expanded Qualified Production Property (QPP), the timing and structure of your investments matter more than ever. This guide breaks down what changed, where the opportunities are, and how to use the 2025 depreciation reset to unlock hidden capital.