BTB Buyer Guide
Documents to Request When Buying a Business
Document requests should be tailored to the business, but buyers generally need enough evidence to test the financial, operational and legal claims that matter to the transaction.
BTB guide · Updated September 30, 2026
What buyers should understand
Common categories include tax returns; profit-and-loss statements; balance sheets; bank or processor support; payroll records; customer and supplier information; leases; material contracts; licenses and permits; debt or lien information; inventory records; equipment and asset lists; insurance; employee information; and documents supporting proposed SDE add-backs.
Practical example
Receiving a file is not the same as verifying it. Check periods, entity names, totals and consistency across sources. BTB's Document Analyzer can help organize extracted facts and flag differences, while professional review may still be needed for accounting, legal, tax or specialized diligence.
Use this inside BTB
Educational information only. Verify legal, tax, accounting, financing and transaction questions with qualified professionals and current source material.
Related buyer guides
SDE explained · Valuation · Due diligence · Seller financing · Making an offer