Colorado Business Resource Book

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Buying an Existing Business

Buying an existing business can have its advantages. By purchasing a business that is already established, you may eliminate some of the problems associated with starting a brand-new business. However, when you acquire an existing business, you may also acquire its debts. Purchasing an existing business can be fairly complex. The following is a brief list of some of the concerns of which you should be aware.

Be sure to think about the following:

  • How successful is the business?
  • How well-known is the business?
  • How loyal are the customers to the business? Is their loyalty based upon the current ownership?
  • Why is the seller selling the business?
  • If the business has not been profitable, find out why. Do you have a plan to make it profitable?
  • Does your purchase agreement include the sale of the business name, the property, the equipment and inventory and/or the debts? Be sure the exact terms of the sale are explained clearly, in writing, before you buy.
  • Are there any outstanding claims on inventory, equipment and fixtures? If so, whose responsibility will it be to settle these claims?
  • Are there liens against the property? (Check with the seller and recorder’s office in the county where the business and the seller are located. Also check with the Colorado Secretary of State, Uniform Commercial Code Section (sos.state.co.us) for records of any security interests that may have been filed as liens against the property or assets of the business.
  • Will the owner of the building transfer the lease to you?
  • What are the terms and restrictions of the lease?
  • Are the business’ past and current financial statements in good order?
  • Examine any existing contracts that affect the business.
  • Can you transfer the existing phone number?

Tax Liabilities

If you purchase a retail business, you may be liable for sales tax debts of the business. As a precaution, you should get a tax status letter from the Colorado Department of Revenue before buying. The tax status letter must be requested by the current owner using Form DR096. Tax status letters may be requested on all state collected tax accounts including sales tax, wage withholding and corporate income tax accounts. There is a $10 charge for each tax letter requested.

If you purchase a corporation or limited liability company, you may have the option of keeping the same sales tax account with the Colorado Department of Revenue. If you purchase a sole proprietorship or a partnership, you are required to open a new sales tax account. When you purchase tangible property as part of a business (such as new or used furniture, fixtures or equipment) for which you have not paid sales tax, you must pay a state sales/use tax.

“Home Rule” cities may collect use taxes directly, and there may be additional liabilities for personal property taxes imposed by the county. Contact the local city clerk, the county assessor and/or the county treasurer’s offices for more information regarding local use and personal property taxes.

You must establish all new tax accounts when buying an existing business, except when purchasing the stock of an existing corporation and continuing the operations of that corporation. The previous owner’s sales tax licenses, state wage withholding and unemployment insurance accounts and federal employer identification numbers do NOT transfer to you, the new owner.

If There Are Employees In the Business

You will be responsible for withholding income tax, Social Security (FICA), Medicare and local employment taxes. You will have to pay the employers portion of FICA, Medicare and local employment taxes. You must open new employee payroll accounts unless you buy out the stock of an existing corporation or membership in a limited liability company and do not set up a anew business entity. In every case, the unemployment history established under the former owners will transfer to your unemployment insurance account. When you purchase the business, the former owner should file Form UITL-2 to report the change in ownership for unemployment tax purposes. For more information on payroll tax requirements see the Employer Responsibilities section of this guide.

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All information within this resource book and website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be legal, tax, business or other professional advice. It is current to the best of our knowledge as of the date of publication. You should contact an appropriate professional to discuss any issue particular to you or your business and only rely upon your own research into those issues. Use of and access to this resource book or the associated website does not create any relationship between the publisher, authors, and the reader, or any other individual or entity. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAWS, THE MATERIALS AND INFORMATION IN THIS RESOURCE BOOK AND WEBSITE ARE DISTRIBUTED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.