기업승계의 상속세 담세능력 분석과 정책적 지원에 관한 연구

Corporate succession encompasses not only family business succession but also succession through non-family heirs and business transfers via mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In particular, family business succession refers to the transfer of ownership and management rights within a family through inheritance or gifting. Such corporate succession is not merely a matter for individual companies but is a critical task for ensuring the sustainable growth of the national economy. According to the KOSI(Korea SMEs and Startups Institute)(2021), if the current passive approach to succession continues, it is projected that 325,000 businesses will disappear and 3.07 million people may lose their jobs within the next decade. Especially, the aging of first-generation baby boomer entrepreneurs may lead to management gaps in SMEs, resulting in the loss of accumulated technologies, expertise, and significant economic damage. However, a considerable number of Korean SMEs are struggling with succession due to a lack of successors and heavy inheritance tax burdens. Accordingly, this study focuses on corporate succession limited to cases where ownership is transferred to the next generation through inheritance or gifting. It explores and identifies the main challenges faced during the succession process, particularly analyzing the burden of inheritance tax and the successors’ financial capacity. Based on these findings, this study seeks to propose policy support measures to facilitate smoother succession.