{
  "title": "What is an asset sale vs stock sale? Definition and example",
  "url": "https://acquisitions.com/blog/what-is-an-asset-sale/",
  "author": "Moran Pober",
  "publisher": "Acquisitions.com",
  "published": "2026-10-23",
  "updated": "2026-10-23",
  "section": "Glossary",
  "keyword": "Asset sale vs stock sale",
  "short_answer": "In an asset sale the buyer purchases the business's assets (equipment, inventory, customer lists, goodwill) and the seller keeps the legal entity and most of its liabilities. In a stock sale the buyer purchases the owner's shares, so the whole company transfers, including its contracts, history and debts.",
  "facts": {
    "Class I: cash": [
      "$0",
      "Usually kept by the seller"
    ],
    "Class II: securities": [
      "$0",
      "Rare in a small business"
    ],
    "Class III: accounts receivable": [
      "$150,000",
      "Collected at face value"
    ],
    "Class IV: inventory": [
      "$100,000",
      "Deducted as sold"
    ],
    "Class V: equipment, vehicles, furniture": [
      "$450,000",
      "Depreciated over its tax life"
    ],
    "Class VI: non-compete, customer lists": [
      "$200,000",
      "Amortised over 15 years"
    ],
    "Class VII: goodwill": [
      "$1,100,000",
      "Amortised over 15 years"
    ],
    "Total purchase price": [
      "$2,000,000",
      ""
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    "https://www.irs.gov/forms-pubs/about-form-8594",
    "https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/asset-sales.asp"
  ],
  "license": "Facts may be quoted with attribution to Acquisitions.com and a link to the url above."
}