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lyndaj
Level 2

SALE OF CLIENT LIST

I have been searching for hours.  I have a client, an attorney, who took a position with the State's Attorney's Office.  She did not want to completely sell her business, so she just sold the client list and "goodwill" and is technically keeping her business alive until she is sure this is the right move for her.  How do I record the receipt of the funds from the purchasing attorney?  Thank you.

2 Comments 2
Rainflurry
Level 13

SALE OF CLIENT LIST

@lyndaj 

 

This reply assumes there is no seller financing, no non-compete agreement, and no previously booked goodwill.  Create two 'Other income' accounts, one called 'Gain on Goodwill' and one called 'Gain on Sale of Client List'.   Then, when you deposit the funds, allocate the funds as per the purchase agreement between goodwill and the client list. 

lyndaj
Level 2

SALE OF CLIENT LIST

Actually, the answers continue to trickle in.  I finally got a copy of the actual agreement.  It is not paid in full in 2022, which creates another question.  I figured out that i needed to create the "gain on sale of goodwill" account as other income, but did not separate the client list.  I will correct that.  Apparently only one third was paid in 2022; one payment is due in each 2023 and 2024.  This is an S-corp, she stopped taking pay at the end of 2022, but now i need to keep the s-corp alive until the final payment is made in 2024.  I believe i can do that by having her take one draw when the 2nd payment is made and taxing it like regular payroll.  I am still researching this.  If you think I am wrong about that, your response would be much appreciated.  Thank you for your response, I feel much better about my conclusions so far. 

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