Starting a business takes guts. You put your ideas on paper, make big plans, and set goals. But what happens if things don’t go as planned? This is where disclaimer statements come in. They help protect you if your business plan doesn’t work out exactly as you hoped. Think of them as safety nets that catch you if you fall.
Many business owners skip adding disclaimers to their plans. They’re so excited about their ideas that they forget about the “what ifs.” But smart business owners know better. They know that clear disclaimers keep them safe from legal trouble and set the right expectations with readers of their plan.
Ready to make your business plan stronger? Let’s look at 15 disclaimer statements you can use right away.
Business Plan Disclaimer Statements
These disclaimers will help protect you and set the right expectations for anyone reading your business plan.
1. Forward-Looking Statement Protection
“This business plan contains statements about future business performance. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results to differ from what is stated here.”
This disclaimer tells readers that your plan talks about the future, which nobody can predict with 100% accuracy. It works well as the first disclaimer in your plan because it sets the tone right away. Use this when your plan makes specific claims about future growth, sales, or market share.
2. No Guarantee of Success
“The strategies and projections in this plan do not guarantee business success. All businesses face risks that may prevent them from reaching their goals despite good planning.”
This statement makes it clear that even the best plans can’t promise success. Your business still faces regular risks that all companies deal with. This disclaimer works best in sections where you discuss financial projections or return on investment to temper expectations.
3. Not Financial Advice
“The financial information in this document is not professional financial advice. Readers should consult with qualified financial advisors before making investment decisions based on this plan.”
This disclaimer protects you from readers who might make financial decisions based solely on your plan. It points out that you’re not giving financial advice, even if you include numbers and projections. Place this near any sections with detailed financial forecasts.
4. Confidentiality Notice
“This business plan contains private and confidential information. By reading this document, you agree not to share or copy any part of it without written permission from [Company Name].”
A confidentiality disclaimer helps keep your ideas safe. This is especially important when sharing your plan with potential investors or partners. Put this at the very beginning of your plan, possibly on the cover page or in a header, so it’s seen before anything else.
5. Information Accuracy Statement
“We believe the information in this plan is accurate as of [date]. However, we cannot guarantee that all facts, figures, and assessments will remain accurate as market conditions change.”
This disclaimer puts a time stamp on your information. Markets change quickly, and this acknowledges that what’s true today might not be true next month. Add this near the executive summary or any market analysis sections where timely information matters.
6. Third-Party Data Attribution
“This plan includes data and statistics from third-party sources we believe to be reliable. We have not independently checked all such information and are not responsible for any errors in these sources.”
When you use research or statistics from other sources, this disclaimer helps protect you if those sources turn out to be wrong. It shows you did your homework but admits you can’t vouch for everyone else’s work. Place this near sections with market research or industry statistics.
7. No Offer of Securities
“This business plan does not constitute an offer to sell or a request to buy securities. Any such offer would only be made in compliance with applicable securities laws and regulations.”
If investors might see your plan, this disclaimer clarifies that the plan itself isn’t a formal investment offer. This keeps you from accidentally breaking securities laws. Include this in plans shared with potential investors or funding sources.
8. Subject to Change Notice
“The business strategies and operational details in this plan may change without notice as we respond to market feedback, new opportunities, or changing conditions.”
Business plans aren’t set in stone. This disclaimer lets readers know you might adjust your approach based on what happens in the real world. This works well in sections discussing product development or marketing strategies that might need flexibility.
9. No Professional Endorsement
“The presence of any professional’s name or credentials in this document does not mean they endorse this business plan or its contents unless specifically stated.”
Sometimes business plans mention lawyers, accountants, or other professionals who helped with certain aspects. This disclaimer clarifies that just because you name them doesn’t mean they’re backing your entire plan. Add this if you mention specific professionals or firms in your plan.
10. Independent Research Recommendation
“Readers should conduct their own research before relying on the assessments in this plan. Market conditions vary by location and may impact the viability of this business model.”
This disclaimer encourages readers to do their homework before taking your word for everything. It acknowledges that your research might not apply perfectly to every situation. Place this near market analysis or competitive assessment sections.
11. Intellectual Property Protection
“This plan contains intellectual property, business methods, and concepts that belong to [Company Name]. Copying or using these without permission may result in legal action.”
Beyond basic confidentiality, this disclaimer specifically protects your original ideas and methods. It puts readers on notice that your innovations are protected. This works well on every page as a footer or in the introduction if you have unique technology or methods.
12. Not Legal Advice
“Nothing in this business plan should be taken as legal advice. Consult qualified legal professionals for guidance on laws and regulations affecting your specific situation.”
Similar to the financial advice disclaimer, this protects you when discussing legal structures, regulations, or compliance issues. Place this near sections that mention legal considerations or regulatory requirements.
13. Expert Consultation Recommendation
“We recommend consulting with business, legal, tax, and financial experts before implementing strategies described in this plan.”
This disclaimer encourages readers to seek professional guidance rather than just following your plan blindly. It shows you value expert input while protecting you from those who don’t seek it. This works well in the conclusion or executive summary.
14. Risk Factors Acknowledgment
“While we have identified key risks in this plan, we cannot predict all possible challenges that may affect this business. Unforeseen obstacles may arise that impact business performance.”
Every business plan should address risks, but no one can predict everything. This disclaimer acknowledges that some risks might be missing from your analysis. Place this near your risk assessment section or SWOT analysis.
15. Revenue Projection Qualification
“The revenue projections in this plan represent our best estimates based on current information and assumptions. Actual results may vary significantly from these projections.”
Financial projections are educated guesses at best. This disclaimer specifically addresses revenue forecasts, which are often the most scrutinized part of a business plan. Place this directly before or after any revenue projection charts or tables.
Wrapping Up
Adding disclaimers to your business plan isn’t just about legal protection. It also shows readers that you’re thoughtful and realistic about your business. You understand that plans can change, markets can shift, and nothing is certain in business.
The right disclaimers build trust with potential investors, partners, and other readers. They see that you’re not making empty promises or hiding behind inflated projections. Instead, you’re honest about limitations while still showing confidence in your vision.
As you draft your business plan, choose the disclaimers that fit your specific situation. Then place them strategically throughout your document where they make the most sense. With these protective statements in place, you can share your plan with confidence.