Is an electronic signature valid?

Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in adopting states when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.

When is notarization required?

Notarization depends on the document's use and state law; if the FMV form attaches to a deed or must be recorded, a notary or witnesses may be required by local statute.

What if names don't match IDs?

Mismatched signer names can trigger verification failure, delay acceptance, or require re-execution; always enter the exact legal name shown on formation documents or ID.

How should I store signed FMV forms?

Store signed PDFs and the audit trail in a secure repository with access controls and retention tags that meet tax, HIPAA, or contract retention rules.

Can I use basic signatures for high-risk valuations?

For high-value or regulatory-sensitive valuations consider stronger authentication (KBA or two-factor) and retain supporting evidence rather than relying solely on a simple click-to-sign.

Which signNow plan supports bulk workflows?

Bulk send and advanced administration are available on Business Premium and Enterprise tiers; Site License pricing applies for very high-volume usage.

Business FMV Forms

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

BUSINESS FMV FORMS

Client Name: Service Provider Name: Primary Contact & Address (Client): Primary Contact & Address (Provider):

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client desires to obtain an independent fair market value assessment, valuation analysis, and related advisory services (collectively, the "Services") with respect to one or more business interests, assets, or equity instruments identified in the Scope of Work; and

WHEREAS, Provider represents that it has the requisite experience, professional qualifications, and independence to perform the Services in accordance with customary valuation standards and professional diligence; and

WHEREAS, the parties wish to set forth the terms and conditions under which Provider will perform the Services and Client will compensate Provider.

SCOPE OF WORK

Provider shall perform the Services described below. The Services shall include all data collection, market research, financial analysis, report preparation, and one round of reasonable review and amendment requested by Client. Provider's obligations are limited to the express services described in this section.

Detailed Description of Services and Deliverables:

PAYMENT TERMS

Client agrees to pay Provider for the Services in accordance with the schedule below. All fees are exclusive of taxes, expenses, and disbursements unless expressly stated otherwise.

Total Fee (USD): Deposit or Retainer Amount (if any): Payment Schedule / Milestones:

Invoices are due and payable within days of receipt. Any past-due amount shall bear interest at a rate of per month (or the maximum lawful rate if less), plus reasonable collection costs.

TERM AND TERMINATION

This Agreement shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until completion of the Services unless earlier terminated in accordance with this section.

Effective Date: Anticipated Completion / End Date:

Either party may terminate this Agreement for convenience upon written notice to the other party delivered at least days prior to termination. Termination for material breach may be immediate if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within ten (10) business days after receipt of written notice specifying the breach.

Upon termination, Client shall pay Provider for all Services satisfactorily performed through the effective date of termination, and Provider shall deliver any completed work product for which payment has been received.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party (the "Receiving Party") shall protect Confidential Information disclosed by the other party (the "Disclosing Party") using at least the same degree of care that it uses to protect its own confidential information, but in no event less than reasonable care. "Confidential Information" includes nonpublic business, financial, technical, strategic, and proprietary information disclosed in connection with the Services, but excludes information that: (a) is or becomes generally available to the public through no fault of the Receiving Party; (b) is rightfully received from a third party without restriction; (c) is independently developed without use of Disclosing Party's Confidential Information; or (d) is required to be disclosed by law or valid legal process, provided the Disclosing Party is given prompt notice and opportunity to seek protective measures.

The obligations of confidentiality shall survive termination of this Agreement for a period of years, provided that trade secrets and attorney-client privileged materials shall remain protected for so long as applicable law so requires.

LIMITATIONS, REPRESENTATIONS, AND WARRANTIES

Provider represents that it will perform the Services in a professional manner in accordance with generally accepted valuation principles and industry practice. EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED IN THIS AGREEMENT, PROVIDER MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.

GOVERNING LAW

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of without regard to its conflict of laws principles. Any dispute arising under or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in the chosen jurisdiction unless the parties agree in writing to arbitration.

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Agreement, including any scopes of work, schedules, and exhibits expressly incorporated herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous understandings, agreements, representations, and warranties, both written and oral. No amendment or modification shall be effective unless in writing and signed by authorized representatives of both parties.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

Assignment: Neither party may assign or delegate its rights or obligations under this Agreement without the prior written consent of the other party, except that Provider may subcontract portions of the Services provided that Provider remains responsible for performance. Notices: All notices shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses set forth above or such other address as a party may designate by notice.

Other Provisions or Special Instructions (optional):

Client Printed Name:

By:

Date:

Provider Printed Name:

By:

Date:

What Business FMV Forms Are and when they’re used

Business FMV Forms record a fair market value determination for a business asset, ownership interest, or transaction consideration. They document valuation assumptions, data sources, and the chosen methodology so stakeholders and regulators can review the basis for price, tax reporting, or transfer accounting. Organizations use FMV Forms for buy-sell agreements, related-party transactions, stock option valuation, mergers and acquisitions, and tax compliance. Electronic execution is legally supported by the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA where adopted, but specific notarization or witness rules can vary by state and by transaction type.

Why a clear FMV form matters for business transactions

A professional Business FMV Form creates a consistent, auditable record that reduces valuation disputes, supports tax positions, and helps meet regulatory or contractual evidence requirements with documented assumptions and supporting exhibits.

Typical users and teams that prepare or rely on FMV forms

Common preparers, approvers, and recipients include technical valuation specialists, finance teams, tax advisors, and legal counsel.

Valuation professionals and appraisers who prepare methodology, assumptions, and conclusion of value for formal reports.
Corporate finance and tax groups that use FMV for reporting, transfer pricing, and compliance with IRS rules.
Legal counsel and deal teams that rely on FMV documentation for buy-sell, shareholder agreements, and litigation support.

Recipients such as auditors, buyers, and tax authorities use the completed form as evidence of the valuation approach and the data relied upon.

Step-by-step: completing a Business FMV Form

Follow a consistent sequence to ensure the form is complete, defensible, and ready for signature and storage.

01

Gather Data: Collect financials, contracts, market comps, and asset records before starting the valuation.
02

Describe Asset: State the asset or ownership interest precisely, including percentage, class, or identifying details.
03

Choose Method: Document the selected valuation approach (income, market, cost) and why it applies.
04

Sign & Date: Obtain signatures from authorized parties and record the valuation effective date.

Configuring an online FMV workflow

Set up a repeatable digital workflow to collect data, route reviewers, and capture a verifiable completion record.

Field	Configuration
Authentication	Enable email or SMS code signer verification
Conditional Fields	Show follow-up fields based on valuation method selected
Template	Save a reusable FMV template with locked sections
Retention	Attach retention tags for archival and legal holds

Technical considerations for e-submission and signatures

Ensure the platform you use supports required authentication, secure storage, and the export formats you need.

Authentication: Email, SMS code, KBA or stronger depending on risk
File formats: PDF and Word DOCX support for portability
Integrations: Link to ERP, document management, or CRM for traceability

Confirm the provider meets your compliance needs—HIPAA or 21 CFR Part 11 where applicable—and retains a detailed audit trail of signer activity.

Typical eSubmission flow for a Business FMV Form

A predictable online flow reduces friction and creates a complete electronic record for future review.

Upload Document: Import the FMV form as PDF or DOCX to the signing platform.
Place Fields: Add signature, date, and required data fields; use conditional fields if needed.
Send to Signers: Route in order or send parallel links with authentication options.
Archive Copy: Store signed PDF and audit trail in your document repository.

What a professional Business FMV Form includes

A complete FMV Form combines a clear conclusion with supporting evidence, signed authorizations, and traceable handling instructions.

Valuation Summary

Concise conclusion of value with currency and effective date plus a one-paragraph rationale for the chosen result.

Assumptions Log

Key assumptions and limiting conditions that materially affect conclusions, stated clearly for reviewer assessment and audit.

Data Sources

Complete list of financial statements, comparables, and third-party reports relied upon, with dates and references.

Methodology

Step-by-step explanation of the method used (income, market, cost), inputs, and calculations.

Appraiser Certification

Signature and credentials of the preparer or appraiser affirming competence and independence where required.

Supporting Exhibits

Schedules, spreadsheets, contracts, and market data exhibits bundled or attached for transparency.

Security and compliance controls to specify

Encryption: TLS 1.2/1.3 in transit; AES-256 at rest

Audit Trail: Detailed timestamps, IP, and action history

HIPAA Support: BAA available for protected data

Standards: SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certified

21 CFR Part 11: Compliance options for FDA-regulated records

Accessibility: WCAG 2.0 Level AA compatibility

Common risks and consequences of incomplete FMV forms

IRS Challenge: Potential revaluation and tax adjustments

Tax Penalties: Late or incorrect reporting can trigger IRC penalties

Contract Disputes: Unclear valuation invites buyer or shareholder disputes

Invalid Signature: Missing intent/consent can render signature unenforceable

Insufficient Evidence: Weak supporting data undermines audit defensibility

Notarization Gaps: State notary or witness omissions may impede recordability

Key dates and timing considerations

Track effective dates, filing alignments, and retention triggers to meet tax and contractual obligations.

Valuation Effective Date:

Enter MM/DD/YYYY; determines market comparables and statutory measurement point.

Delivery to Parties:

Provide completed form to counterparties per agreement timelines.

Tax Filing Alignment:

Ensure FMV supports positions reported in related tax filings.

Record Retention Start:

Retention typically begins at creation or signature date.

Audit Availability:

Keep searchable copies for audit access within required retention windows.

Pricing and core feature comparison for eSignature providers

Compare starting prices, trial availability, audit features, and HIPAA support to choose an eSignature platform that fits FMV form workflows.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan	Varies by plan
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No

Common questions and troubleshooting for Business FMV Forms

Answers to frequent questions about completion, legal validity, digital signing, and storage for Business FMV Forms.

Need help? Contact support

Is an electronic signature valid?
Yes. Electronic signatures are enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. ch. 96) and UETA in adopting states when intent, consent, attribution, and record retention requirements are met.
When is notarization required?
Notarization depends on the document's use and state law; if the FMV form attaches to a deed or must be recorded, a notary or witnesses may be required by local statute.
What if names don't match IDs?
Mismatched signer names can trigger verification failure, delay acceptance, or require re-execution; always enter the exact legal name shown on formation documents or ID.
How should I store signed FMV forms?
Store signed PDFs and the audit trail in a secure repository with access controls and retention tags that meet tax, HIPAA, or contract retention rules.
Can I use basic signatures for high-risk valuations?
For high-value or regulatory-sensitive valuations consider stronger authentication (KBA or two-factor) and retain supporting evidence rather than relying solely on a simple click-to-sign.
Which signNow plan supports bulk workflows?
Bulk send and advanced administration are available on Business Premium and Enterprise tiers; Site License pricing applies for very high-volume usage.

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