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Planning Before a Transaction

Tax Minimization & Charitable Giving Strategies

Using a Donor Advised Fund can allow business owners to support charitable giving while thoughtfully planning around a future sale.

Using a Donor Advised Fund

A Donor Advised Fund is a charitable account that can receive donated company shares, proceeds, or other assets. Once contributed, the donor can recommend grants to charitable organizations over time.

Value the Business

Use the business valuation to determine what a future gift could look like and how it may fit into the owner’s transaction goals.

Donate Before the Sale

Donate company shares or a portion of the ownership interest to a DAF before the sale is completed.

Potential Tax Benefit

The contributed shares may avoid tax on the increased value and may create an immediate charitable deduction.

Support Charities Later

After funding the DAF, the donor can recommend grants to selected charities over months or years.

Why owners consider it

Key Benefits

Flexibility

Pick which charities receive support later, rather than making every decision at the time of the transaction.

Long-Term Impact

One large contribution can be granted out over many years, creating an ongoing charitable giving plan.

Confidential Giving

DAFs can allow charitable contributions to be made with added privacy, depending on how grants are structured.

Additional Benefit

Multiplier opportunity

If a seller contributes a percentage of transaction proceeds to a DAF, TKO Miller could also contribute to its own DAF, multiplying the overall charitable impact.

Illustrative example

Family-Owned Business Worth $100 Million

Assumptions from the notes: 10% ownership interest, cost basis of $0, current value of $1 million, and a 30% capital gains rate.

Option A: Donate Shares to a DAF Before Sale

Shares Contributed
$1,000,000
Capital Gains Tax Potentially Eliminated
$300,000
Potential Income Tax Deduction
$370,000

Using appreciated shares can create meaningful tax efficiency while funding charitable giving.

Option B: Sell First, Then Donate Cash

Business Sale
Completed First
Capital Gains Tax
$300,000
Potential Deduction After Donation
$370,000

This may still produce a deduction, but the capital gains tax may already have been triggered.

Important considerations

Timing and Deduction Limits Matter

Complete Pre-Sale Planning Early

The donation should be made before signing an LOI to avoid the IRS viewing it as part of a pre-arranged sale.

Confirm Deduction Limits

Overall deductions to a DAF may be limited based on adjusted gross income. Confirm the applicable limit with a tax advisor.