Mercer Advisors
Sharing Knowledge

Question

How much of a business sale goes to taxes?

Answer

It depends on deal structure, entity type, holding period, and your state of residence. Federal long-term capital gains rates plus the net investment income tax establish a baseline, and state tax can add materially on top. Whether a sale is structured as an asset sale or a stock sale, and whether any stock qualifies under Section 1202, can change the result significantly.

Related FAQs

I already have a letter of intent. Is it too late to get help?

What size of business do you work with?

Do you replace my investment banker or M&A attorney?

What happens after the deal closes?
Work & Business Business Owners Selling Your Business Business Transitions FAQs
Last Updated Aug. 5, 2026
Previous Next

Further Learning

Listen
Investment Management Podcast

Episode 38 – The Science of Investing

CIO Don Calcagni unpacks why active investing underperforms, why indexing is a smart start, and how factor investing can improve your long-term returns.

Listen
Financial Planning Podcast

Episode 524 – Generational Wealth

John Walker and Jason O’Meara break down the mindsets and strategies that help families grow and preserve generational wealth across decades.

Financial Planning Article

How To Open a Trump Account for Your Child

Trump Accounts (Section 530A) let families invest up to $5,000 a year for any child under 18 — plus a $1,000 federal pilot contribution for kids born 2025 to 2028.

Financial Planning FAQ

What happens to a Trump Account when my child turns 18?

See the answer
Back to Sharing Knowledge

About Mercer Advisors

We exist so you don’t have to worry about money. For more than 40 years, we’ve taken the sophisticated, time-tested approach that many ultra-high net worth individuals use to help manage their financial lives and made it accessible to more families.

Explore Our Solutions

Financial Planning
Estate Planning
Tax Planning & Preparation
Insurance Solutions
Investment Management
Trustee Services

Want to learn more about Mercer Advisors?

Let’s Talk