How are you taxed when you sell a small business? + MORE Apr 11th

Good news: It’s not just possible but might even be beneficial. “Excluding ‘irresponsible’ companies which engage in unsustainable practices reduces portfolio risk,” says Priscilla Ncube, an investment advisor at Mandeville Private Client Inc. in Toronto—and it can even eliminate companies that are likely to underperform.

What is responsible investing and why is it important?

“Responsible investment (RI) is an investment discipline that embodies the incorporation of environmental, social and governance factors into the selection and management of investments,” says Ncube.

“Environmental, social and governance” is typically abbreviated to ESG, and experts use these criteria to evaluate various investment opportunities. Specifically, Ncube says, these include:

Environmental: How a company’s practices affect the natural environment…

The types of taxes you owe when selling a small business

Sorry you have been having trouble getting an answer, Peter. I think one reason is the process may seem simple, but it is not necessarily straightforward. Selling a business has tax and legal implications. The tax implications can include GST/HST sales tax, payroll tax and other taxes. 

I will focus on the income tax implications of the sale. The tax treatment will vary depending upon whether your business was a sole proprietorship or a corporation. 

What you can sell as the owner of an unincorporated business and the tax implications

When a sole proprietor sells their business, they are selling the assets of their unincorporated business. Assets can include intangible items like goodwill or clients, as well as tangible items like inventory or machinery…