Buying or Selling a Business in Ireland
Integrated legal and tax advice for business acquisitions and disposals. The structure of a business transaction determines the tax outcome — and that structure needs to be agreed before heads of terms are signed, not after contracts are exchanged.
Your consultation will answer:
- "Should I structure this as a share sale or an asset sale — and what is the actual difference in tax terms for me?"
- "Do I qualify for Entrepreneur Relief on my business sale — and how do I make sure the structure protects that position?"
- "I am buying a business — what tax risks am I taking on and how do I protect myself before I sign?"
- "What will I actually receive after tax when I sell — and what can I do to improve that number?"
Business Transaction Services
A full range of advice across the situations and transactions that matter most when buying or selling a business.
Share Sales & Purchases
Tax advice for sellers and buyers on share disposals, acquisitions and available reliefs.
Asset Sales & Purchases
Tax implications of asset-based transactions for both sides of the deal.
Entrepreneur & Retirement Relief
Qualifying for the 10% CGT rate or Retirement Relief on business disposals.
Tax Due Diligence
Identifying hidden tax risks in the target for buyers before completion.
Warranties & Indemnities
Reviewing and advising on tax protections in the share purchase agreement.
Pre-Sale Restructuring
Reorganising before a sale to improve the tax outcome and protect reliefs.
How a Business Transaction Works
A clear, structured approach from the first consultation to completion.
1
Transaction Review
We understand what is being bought or sold, at what value and on what proposed terms.
2
Structure Assessment
We assess share sale versus asset sale and the consequences of each for buyer and seller.
3
Relief Identification
We identify Entrepreneur Relief, Retirement Relief and any other applicable exemptions.
4
After-Tax Modelling
We calculate the after-tax position under each structure so you know what you will receive or pay.
5
Due Diligence & Documents
For buyers we conduct tax due diligence; for both sides we advise on SPA tax protections.
✓
Completion Support
We work alongside your other advisers through negotiation, signing and completion.
What Your Solicitor Helps to Protect Against
On a business transaction, tax advice has the most impact before the deal is structured — not after it is signed.
01
Wrong Deal Structure
Agreeing heads of terms before modelling share versus asset sale outcomes.
02
Lost Relief Entitlement
Failing to protect Entrepreneur Relief or Retirement Relief through the transaction.
03
Hidden Target Liabilities
Buying shares without tax due diligence and inheriting undisclosed tax history.
04
Weak SPA Protections
Inadequate tax warranties and indemnities leaving post-completion exposure.
05
Earn-Out Tax Surprises
Deferred consideration taxed unexpectedly as employment income rather than capital.
06
Late Advice
Waiting until a buyer is identified, when pre-sale restructuring options are no longer available.
The tax structure of a business transaction is agreed at heads of terms — not at completion. Getting the right advice at the right time is commercially critical.
Why Wayfound?
What makes us different — and why it matters for your business transaction.
Integrated Legal and Tax Advice
Business transactions are both legal and tax matters. We handle both in one engagement.
Focus on After-Tax Proceeds
We focus on what you actually receive after tax — not just the headline price.
Relief Identification from Day One
Entrepreneur Relief and Retirement Relief are identified and protected from the first conversation.
Tax Due Diligence for Buyers
We identify hidden tax risks in the target before you commit.
Direct Solicitor Access
You deal with Tamoor directly through negotiation, due diligence, signing and completion.
Transparent Fixed Fees
Fixed-fee pricing agreed at the outset. No billing surprises as the transaction develops.
Meet Your Solicitor
Tamoor Barlas
Solicitor
I am a solicitor based in Dublin 15. Alongside my commercial practice, I advise individuals, families and businesses on Irish immigration pathways — from employment permits and residency through to family reunification and citizenship.
Relocation is more than a visa application. The people I advise are often making one of the most significant legal and financial decisions of their lives. I combine immigration counsel with tax and corporate insight so your move to Ireland is planned as a whole, not in isolated filings.
Because I practise as both a solicitor and a tax, I can advise on immigration status and the tax consequences of becoming Irish-resident in one engagement — reducing duplication and closing the gap between legal permission and financial planning.
“My job is to take the immigration and tax complexity off your hands — so you can focus on building your life in Ireland.”
Frequently Asked Questions
In a share sale the buyer purchases the company and its tax history. In an asset sale the buyer purchases specific assets. Share sales are often more tax-efficient for sellers; buyers often prefer asset purchases. The structure is usually negotiated.
Entrepreneur Relief can reduce CGT from 33% to 10% on up to €3 million of qualifying gains. Ownership and trading conditions apply. We assess qualification at the outset and structure the transaction to protect it.
Retirement Relief can exempt or significantly reduce CGT on qualifying business disposals for sellers aged 55 or over. We assess both Retirement Relief and Entrepreneur Relief and advise on the most beneficial approach.
When you buy shares you acquire the company’s full tax history. Tax due diligence identifies risks before you commit and informs price, warranties and indemnities.
Tax warranties are seller statements about the target’s tax position. A tax indemnity commits the seller to cover pre-completion tax liabilities that arise after closing. We advise on the right balance for each side.
As early as possible — ideally one to two years before sale. Pre-sale restructuring can significantly improve the tax outcome, and many steps need time to implement.
Feedback From Clients
Built on Trust,
Backed by Results
At Wayfound, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional service and making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients. But don’t just take our word for it, hear directly from those who have experienced the Wayfound difference
Ready to move forward? Contact us today and let’s take the next step.