A few things are happening at once. Changing tax rules, rising running costs and a shortage of good businesses for sale have made clean, independent operations valuable to buyers with cash ready to go.
Here’s why waiting to get a valuation could cost you thousands, and why acting today puts you in control.
The Capital Gains Tax reality: lock in your hard work
The biggest reason owners are asking for valuations right now comes down to tax. After recent changes, the tax you pay when you sell has climbed sharply.
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) is the relief you get when you sell your business. Its rate has risen steeply from the historic 10% to 14%, and it has now reached 18%. For an owner with a qualifying gain of £1 million, selling under the new 18% rate means paying up to £80,000 more to HMRC than under the old rates.
Tax rules change and everyone’s situation is different, so it’s always worth checking the detail with your accountant. But finding out your value today lets you plan an exit that protects your wealth before anything else shifts.
Low supply means higher demand for your business
A lot of owners are holding back, unsure about the wider economy. That’s created a real shortage of good small businesses on the market.
Because buyers, from regional operators to private investors to people wanting to be their own boss, can’t find enough good businesses, they’re competing hard for the ones that are available. An established business with steady weekly cash flow and a loyal local following is in high demand. Get a professional valuation now and you can step into that market and, in the right conditions, create competition that pushes up your final price.
Rising running costs: is it time to cash out?
From higher minimum wage thresholds to stricter digital accounting rules, the daily pressure and cost of running an independent business keep mounting. Plenty of owners who’ve poured years of hard work into their shops, yards and offices are deciding they’d rather cash out and enjoy what they’ve built.
If the daily grind is becoming more stressful than it’s rewarding, knowing what your business is worth gives you the clarity to make a big decision.
What is your business worth? Find out today
You can’t plan your next chapter if you don’t know the value of what you own. Guessing your price on hearsay, or on what a neighbour got for their shop, will leave money behind.
At CoGoGo, we take the guesswork and the stress out of the whole process. We don’t just list businesses. We know the local high street and trade markets, and we give you a clear, honest valuation of what your business is really worth in today’s market.
