Is there a relatively easy, inexpensive way to find out how much money
a small, privately held S or C corporation was sold for? (If it
matters, this business is located in Florida.)

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Clarification of Question by ddsquared-ga on 03 Nov 2005 05:42 PST

Thanks for the comments, though I don't think of the suggestions
provided will work.

As far as doing research & asking others what a business like this
might sell for, this would only be a hypothetical answer. Regarding a
press release, this is a small, "Mom & Pop" type business, so as the
sale of this type of business isn't really news-worthy, I don't think
a press release would be issued (or printed if it was issued).

As far as simply asking either the seller or buyer what the business
sold for, I suppose it's possible they would tell me, but I think
doubtful. Most people tend to regard their finances as a private
issue, and regardless, for personal reasons I can't ask the sellers
this question.

I realize that computer-savy private investigators & "internet
slueths" can find out a lot more about a person than most of us would
have ever thought possible. The proceeds from the sale of the business
should appear on the seller's tax return--if I know the seller's
social security number as well as the corporations EIN #, would this
enable someone to dig up this info. via public records or other
sources?

Hi ddsquared,

A few ideas come to mind:

You could call the specific business and ask, you never know, they
might just answer you and the worst they can do is not answer.

You could search online for your specific business, and find a forum
of business owners in your business and ask them what it would go for.

Or you could read a few of the business magazines that have
advertisements for franchises and their prices, and that would give
you a feeling of how much the business is worth.

Without specifics its hard to answer, but I hope this helps.

Kevin - wannabe Researcher

It's possible that either the selling or acquiring company has issued
a press release.  Do a quick search. =)