Using Tax Strategies When Selling a Pharmacy in Georgia

By Brad MacLiver
Authorship and profile at Google


When an industry’s many players are consolidated into smaller groups for economic benefits it is known as an industry roll-up. Georgia (GA) pharmacy buyers participate in the pharmacy industry roll-up in Georgia to achieve economies of scale in purchasing, marketing, information systems, logistics, distribution, and top management. Pharmacy sellers both independent owners and drug store chains must consider their current market value, recognize the narrowing of profit margins, and realize what their tax consequences will be if they sell.

When Georgia pharmacy owners sell their GA pharmacy it is considered a capital asset. The difference between the amounts it is sold for and the amount spent to either purchase or start the pharmacy is a capital gain, or a capital loss. In the U.S., all capital gains must be reported and the appropriate tax paid.

Specific tax strategies can be used to help offset the tax liabilities when selling a Georgia pharmacy or a drug store. Unless a professional is handling a large number of pharmacy acquisitions, they usually do not know these federal regulations that allow for reducing the tax liability for the pharmacy owner in Georgia.

Many Business Brokers, CPA’s, attorneys, and other professional advisors inform their clients that selling a GA pharmacy will result in tax consequences. However, most of these professionals do not handle the buying and selling of pharmacies on a daily basis and may not realize the different aspects of structuring a pharmacy transaction allowing the reduction of the tax burden to the pharmacy owner in Georgia.

There are some capital gain tax strategies that must be implemented before any obligation to sell the Georgia pharmacy. When a drug store owner is considering selling their pharmacy either now, or in the next few years, it is urgent the best course of action be considered now instead of later.

Estate planning when selling a GA pharmacy should also be a consideration. Specific federal regulations allow an asset to be converted to an income stream, provide a tax deduction, increase asset diversification, and provide risk reduction, along with offering effective retirement and estate planning. If the pharmacy seller is nearing a retirement age, or will be working as a Georgia pharmacist for another company, instead of being an owner, then estate planning should also be considered.

As reimbursements are cut, more regulations are applied, and pharmacy profits in Georgia continue to slip, more independent pharmacy owners along with small and regional pharmacy chains will be considering selling their GA pharmacies and drug stores. Tax considerations should be a paramount part of the decision process.

Pharmacy in GA owners should consult with a pharmacy industry expert for advice on structuring the sale of their pharmacy. Someone with extensive experience in Georgia pharmacy and drug store acquisitions will have the knowledge and expertise to structure the transaction for tax considerations. Like all tax planning issues, waiting until the end of the year is not always the best strategy. Following this advice can place larger sums of money in the bank of Georgia pharmacy owners when a pharmacy is sold.

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Pharmacy Industry Roll-Up in Georgia

By Brad MacLiver
Authorship and profile at Google


GA Industry Roll-Ups are where an industry’s many players are consolidated into smaller groups for economic benefits. Recessions, new government regulations, or other aspects of the industry that may be stifling profits end up providing incentives to consolidate

A principal reason for an industry roll-up is to achieve economies of scale in purchasing, marketing, information systems, logistics, distribution, and top management. Consolidated businesses also have less risk from the impact of an unsatisfied customer and have the reward of being able to recruit, or keep, key employees.

An example of an industry roll-up can be seen with the pharmacy industry in Georgia. It is a well established industry and is still experiencing sales growth. However, pharmacies and drug stores have seen a steady decline in their profit margins due mainly to government regulations, even as sales increase. There has also been a shortage of GA pharmacists - a required key employee.

Industry roll-ups are often initiated by investors seeking investment opportunities. However, in the case of pharmacies, the roll-up is a necessity due to declining net profits ratios. Companies that are acquired in a roll-up are usually small independently-owned businesses whose owners believe in the economic benefits of combining forces with a larger organization, or simply need an exit strategy. In the pharmacy industry roll-up, independents have been a majority of the acquisitions, but there has also been a consolidation of a number of the larger Georgia pharmacy chains.

During the Georgia pharmacy industry roll-up pharmacies with better financial wherewithal are acquiring their local competition and combining two or more stores into a single location. This has the result of more customer traffic through a single location.  This reduces the expenses that come with multiple locations and can also dramatically drive up total sales while driving down the administrative and overhead costs per customer.

To help fund pharmacy acquisitions during the roll-up in Georgia, specific programs for funding have been created. These pharmacy chain funding programs are backed by major financial institutions that provide the funding for pharmacy acquisitions. These pharmacy funding programs allow an individual Georgia pharmacy business, or an investment group, the capital to acquire and combine pharmacies in geographic areas.

Funders are willing to provide the capital for the pharmacy roll-up in Georgia because they recognize that combining the individual pharmacy businesses provides a greater total business value than if each individual GA pharmacy value were added together. This synergistic value reduces the risk of funding the individual acquisition.

When considering the buying, selling, or financing a pharmacy, whether an independent drug store, or multiple pharmacy locations,  due diligence and understanding of all aspects of the transaction should be considered. Using the services of a GA pharmacy industry expert to guide a Georgia pharmacy owner through the maze of details will benefit the pharmacy owner in making the best business decision.

All transactions involved in the pharmacy roll-up in Georgia need to have the business valued at the current market value. Business valuations for the pharmacy industry should be calculated by a company that has in-depth knowledge of the pharmacy. Simple accounting formulas used by many to estimate a value do not provide an accurate picture because the simple formulas do not take into account the aspects that are causing the GA pharmacy industry roll-up.

The aspects of the market which are stimulating the roll-up are also having downward pressure on the pharmacy business valuations. Georgia pharmacy owners have been watching what has been occurring in the pharmacy industry. While profit margins slip, new regulations are being imposed, and as reimbursements are pared down there is wide expectation that the business values in the pharmacy industry will continue to slide to lower levels, and thus the Georgia pharmacy industry roll-up will continue.

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