There are many reasons for getting a business valuation. As a business owner, understanding the value of your business can be a critical piece of information in determining if your business is successful. In a more formal sense, valuations may be performed when a business is being sold, seeking investment, undergoing a merger or acquisition, or for other strategic planning purposes. Valuations are also commonly needed for tax reporting for gift and estate tax purposes, some forms of stock compensation, and marital dissolution (divorce) just to name a few.