Planning ahead
Reviewing your client's position well before a sale, including Business Asset Disposal Relief and the group structure.
For introducers · Accountants
Deal tax expertise for your clients, without losing them.
When a client is selling, buying or restructuring, they need specialist transaction tax advice. We provide it, and the client stays yours.
The problem
Your clients trust you first. But a sale, an acquisition or a group reorganisation raises specialist tax questions that most practices don't handle every day: relief qualification, pre-sale restructuring, clearances and the tax terms of a sale agreement. Getting them wrong can be expensive, for the client and for your relationship with them.
How we help
Restructuring
Holding companies, demergers and reorganisations, with HMRC clearances where needed.
The deal itself
Structuring, heads of terms, due diligence preparation and the tax terms of the sale agreement.
Afterwards
Exit planning, trusts and inheritance tax planning for the shareholders, coordinated with you.
Proof
[TESTIMONIAL: accountant quote, with permission]
Business sale · £5m–£20m
Selling a professional services firm to a private equity platform
How we protected BADR, demerged family property and structured the consideration for a £5m–£20m sale to a private-equity-backed buyer.
Read the case studyPre-sale restructuring · £20m–£50m
Demerging property from a construction group before a sale
How we used a holding company and a capital reduction demerger to separate property from a £20m–£50m construction group before a sale.
Read the case study
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Will you take over our client?
No. We only advise on the transaction and the related tax planning for the shareholders. We don't do accounts, audit or compliance work, so the client relationship stays with you.
When should we refer a client who is thinking about selling?
As early as possible, ideally two years or more before a sale. Some reliefs, including Business Asset Disposal Relief, need conditions to be met for two years before the sale.
Related advice
You may also need
For Introducers
Specialist transaction tax input for corporate finance advisers, lawyers, accountants and wealth managers. A view within one working day.
Read moreSelling a Business
Specialist tax advice for business owners selling a company worth £1m to £50m. Reliefs, pre-sale structuring, deal terms and HMRC clearances.
Read moreBusiness Asset Disposal Relief
Make sure you qualify for Business Asset Disposal Relief when you sell. Specialist advice on the conditions, the 18% rate and protecting your claim.
Read morePre-Sale Restructuring
Get your business sale-ready. Specialist tax advice on holding companies, extracting cash and property, and protecting reliefs before you sell.
Read more
Got a client thinking about selling?
Bring us in early. We'll give you an initial view within one working day.
Or write to taxadvisory@aswatax.co.uk
Last reviewed 6 October 2026
