Wealth planning when selling a company: What you need to know

The sale of a company is a decisive moment in the life of an entrepreneur — both financially and personally. Entrepreneurs in Switzerland are often faced with complex decisions on tax optimization, capital structure and sustainable wealth planning confronted on the Swiss financial market. Without a targeted strategy, opportunities for long-term wealth accumulation, risk-adjusted investments and tax benefits can quickly be lost.
In this article, you will learn how to structure the proceeds from a company sale efficiently, which tax aspects need to be considered and why professional asset management is decisive in this regard.

An overview of the most important things:

Capital structuring: Divide proceeds sensibly between short-term liquidity, long-term investments and strategic investments.
Tax optimization: Swiss tax law and cantonal differences have a significant impact on net revenue.
Risk management: Diversification and active hedging prevent a one-time profit from being quickly lost again.
Professional support: Independent asset managers create individual strategies and implement them in a disciplined manner.

Planning before and after the sale of the company

For entrepreneurs who are planning to sell a company, the decisive phase doesn't just start with the payout — it starts months or years earlier. Early wealth planning not only enables tax optimization, but also protects family wealth and creates the basis for long-term investment strategies.

Key points to be clarified before selling:

Check liabilities: Open loans, guarantees, or hidden liabilities can significantly affect post-sale liquidity. A clear overview prevents unpleasant surprises.
Define liquidity requirements: What funds are needed in the short term for personal spending, new projects or reinvestments? Precise planning protects against liquidity bottlenecks.
Prepare tax structuring: Whether it's holding structures, using tax deferments or optimising capital gains — strategic tax planning maximizes net revenue and reduces risks.

With professional support from experienced asset managers entrepreneurs can develop a tailor-made strategy before selling, which ensures both security and growth potential. This is how a one-time sale of a company becomes a sustainably built up asset.

Practical tip:
Studies show that entrepreneurs who start their wealth planning at least 12—24 months before selling the company retain a significantly higher portion of the sales revenue. Early planning enables tax optimization, succession planning and targeted reinvestments — and reduces the risk of hasty, emotionally driven decisions.

After the sale: Responsibility for capital

The conclusion of a company sale marks the beginning of a new, decisive phase: Entrepreneurs are suddenly faced with considerable capital, which must not only be retained but also increased sensibly. Without a clear strategy, there is a risk of loss of value, unnecessary risks and missed opportunities — a structured, professional approach is essential, especially in a complex market environment such as Switzerland.

• Diversification:
  Spread across asset classes, regions, industries and instruments.
  Reduces risks and ensures stable performance.
• Liquidity:
  Determine funds available in the short term.
  Ensuring financial flexibility.
• Tax planning:
  Take into account cantonal differences, deferral options and the pension fund.
  Optimizes net revenue and avoids unnecessary burdens.
• Risk management:
  Hedging against market fluctuations and inflation.
  Protects capital in the long term.
• Sustainable investments:
  Review ESG investments and future markets.
  Combining return, responsibility and long-term trends.

With targeted wealth planning, professional advice and individually tailored investment strategies, risks can be minimized and long-term goals achieved. Independent asset managers help you to secure capital sustainably, structure it efficiently for tax purposes and make optimal use of growth opportunities. In this way, the sales proceeds are not only retained, but also become a stable basis for financial freedom and future investments.

Why professional asset management is crucial

A one-time sale of a company often entails considerable capital — but the money doesn't work by itself. Without a clear strategy, risks, tax traps, or inefficient investments can significantly reduce the value of the proceeds. Professional asset managers help entrepreneurs to secure capital sustainably, seize opportunities and achieve long-term goals.

• Strategic planning:
  Define long-term goals, risk profile and personal wishes.
  Ensure a clear roadmap, prevent impulsive decisions and ensure sustainable wealth creation.
• Expertise & market knowledge:
  Selection of suitable asset classes, financial instruments and tax structures.
  Optimizes return potential, reduces risks and makes targeted use of tax benefits.
• Continuous support:
  Regular adjustment of the strategy to market changes and living conditions.
  Ensures flexibility, protects capital in volatile phases and keeps the strategy up to date.
• Risk management:
  Diversification, liquidity planning and protection against unexpected events.
  Minimizes losses, stabilizes the portfolio and ensures financial security.

With professional asset management, the proceeds from the sale of companies are not only preserved, but also actively structured and optimised — for security, growth and financial freedom. Protect your capital after the sale of the company — arrange your free and non-binding initial consultation with our experts.

Tax aspects of company sales in Switzerland

The sale of a company involves not only large capital, but also complex tax issues. The treatment of proceeds depends on the legal form, cantonal legislation and individual structures. Careful planning can optimize tax burdens and secure liquidity.

• Capital gains on private assets:
  Usually tax-free, but check cantonal differences and exceptions.
  Avoid surprises when it comes to tax bills and secures net revenue.
• Holding structures:
  Using holding companies to reinvest sales revenue.
  Reduces tax burdens for strategic investments and corporate succession.
• Pension fund funds:
  Payment or conversion can be taxed differently from canton to canton.
  Important for liquidity planning and retirement insurance.
• Further deductions and allowances:
  Careful review of cantonal and national tax allowances.
  Make full use of potential for tax benefits.

A structured approach to tax aspects not only ensures maximum net revenue, but also provides the necessary clarity for subsequent asset planning. Anyone who checks at an early stage which regulations apply in their canton and how holding structures or pension fund funds are optimally used lays the foundation for sustainable asset retention and strategic growth. Maximize the tax benefits of selling your company — arrange your free, non-binding initial consultation with our experts now.

“Around 35% of our customers are entrepreneurs who have sold their companies, or over 40% of our managed assets come from company sales.”

Personal advice near you

Our experienced asset managers assist entrepreneurs in structuring and managing sales proceeds. With locations in zurich, St. Gallen, basle and luzern We are available locally and offer free, non-binding initial consultations for your individual situation.

Frequently asked questions about company sales and wealth planning

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When should I start wealth planning?

Ideally even before the company is sold. Early planning makes it possible to define the future structure of assets, identify risks and make optimal use of tax planning options. In this way, financial decisions can be prepared strategically and succession or reinvestments can be organized efficiently.

How can I secure the capital in the long term?

After the sale, structured risk management is crucial. Through targeted diversification across asset classes, regions and strategies, ongoing monitoring and professional advice, volatility can be reduced and assets can be built up sustainably — even in demanding market phases.

What is the role of tax planning?

The tax optimization has a significant impact on net revenue. Especially in Switzerland, with different cantonal regulations and complex tax requirements, early, professional planning can be decisive in order to maximize income and minimize legal risks.

Why should I involve an independent asset manager?

Independent experts offer individually tailored investment strategies, avoid conflicts of interest and keep a continuous eye on your assets. They combine market knowledge, tax expertise and personal support so that capital achieves the defined goals efficiently and sustainably.

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