Originally published in Entrepreneur

By Bruce Willey

Imagine selling your company and owing more money than you actually got paid.

While it might sound ridiculous, I’ve seen it happen. I’m a lawyer and an accountant, but in this particular case, another lawyer did the paperwork for the deal. When they came to me to complete the tax return, I had to break the news to the business owners that, because they’d failed to plan, they would have to pay more money than they were receiving to sell their own company. And not just a little more — nearly four times more.

A purchase letter of intent, especially an unexpected one, can be a thrilling moment for any entrepreneur. This is what you’ve been waiting for, right? But too many business owners trip over their own feet running towards the check.

Ultimately, many entrepreneurs fall prey to the lure of a purchase offer and do themselves more harm than good. These are the most common ways I see entrepreneurs hurt themselves when an offer comes in.

Read the full article at Entrepreneur

Bruce Willey has been working with small to midsize businesses across the country for more than a decade, helping them navigate business and tax law in a variety of situations. His services include assisting with business start-ups, operations, growth, asset protection, exit planning and estate planning.