Immediate Closing (Within 30 Days): Salvaging What Tax Planning You Can

With only 30 days, your structural options are limited but purchase price allocation and tax due diligence are still urgent. Many tax benefits are now foreclosed—focus on the critical items that prevent post-closing problems.

Purchase price allocation is still negotiable. Until closing, you can negotiate how the price is allocated across asset classes on Form 8594 (required under Section 1060). Shifting dollars from goodwill (15-year amortization) to tangible assets eligible for Section 179 expensing or bonus depreciation can accelerate deductions significantly.

Entity structure may be locked. At this stage, the acquiring entity is likely already determined. If you have not yet formed the acquisition entity, a CPA can still advise on whether an LLC, S corp, or C corp best fits your situation, but the window to execute is days, not weeks.

Tax due diligence is urgent. If this is a stock purchase, reviewing the target's prior-year tax returns, payroll tax compliance, and state filing history needs to happen before you sign. Undiscovered liabilities become yours at closing.

The pitfall: Buyers this close to closing often skip tax review entirely, assuming their attorney handled it. Attorneys structure deals for legal risk, not tax efficiency. These are different objectives.