The Seven-Year Handover — What Passing a Business to Family Costs When the Clock Starts Late

Passing a Business to Family: gifting, reliefs and the timetable that decides the tax bill

Saul Cohen watches owners plan a sale and ignore the other exit: handing the business to family. A chartered accountant (ICAEW) trained at PwC who has advised on more than 100 transactions covering over £450M of acquired revenue, he treats a family handover as a dated timetable, not a paragraph in a will, because the seven-year clock on a gifted stake starts on the day of the gift and not the day it is needed. He sets out what moves first, which shares and which assets, and how control passes while the company keeps trading. He also names the point where the decision stops being reversible, and what a family pays for starting late. Listeners leave able to date their own handover from this year instead of the year they finally feel ready.

About Saul Cohen

Saul Cohen, podcast guest

Empowering Entrepreneurs with Strategic Financial Advice

1 Business sold before starting his PwC careerPwC Assurance & Risk Management experience£1M+ Annual earnings of business owners he advisesPartner The Expert Eye

Saul Cohen is an experienced accountant, acquisitions advisor, and passionate advocate for entrepreneurship. With a distinguished career that spans top-tier firms such as PwC and leadership roles at The Expert Eye, Saul has honed his expertise in financial audits, risk analysis, and strategic acquisitions. He is committed to empowering entrepreneurs to transition from business operators to savvy investors, unlocking their full potential.

Drawing inspiration from personal experiences, including his father’s entrepreneurial journey, Saul has dedicated his career to helping small businesses and startups navigate the complexities of tax planning, acquisitions, and exit strategies. His holistic approach not only enhances business valuations but also enables entrepreneurs to reclaim their time and achieve financial freedom.

Saul’s work is characterized by a creative and practical approach to accounting, blending technical expertise with actionable strategies. His unique perspective resonates with successful business owners earning £1M+ annually, particularly those eager to optimize their wealth, prepare for business exits, or make impactful acquisitions.

As a podcast guest, Saul brings inspiring stories, actionable advice, and a passion for empowering entrepreneurs to achieve lasting success and drive positive change in their communities.

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