Most buyers prefer asset deals due to the tax advantages they can secure. For example, if they're purchasing a company with assets that are highly depreciated, the buyer can “step up” the tax value of those assets and depreciate or amortize them. If there's goodwill in the transaction, this can also be amortized.
Transaction Structure In an asset sale, the seller retains the existing legal entity and sells both the tangible and intangible assets of the business. The buyer obtains these assets through a newly established entity. In a minority of transactions, small businesses undergo a stock or equity sale.
SPAs generally lead to higher taxes for the buyer in the long run, while the seller can take advantage of the lower capital gains tax rate. In an APA, buyers can "step-up" the company's depreciable basis in its assets, thereby getting a beneficial tax position.
The biggest difference is that an SPA is the sale of all shares, and an APA is the sale of selected assets. Therefore, they are both different transactions and have different procedures. 2. With a SPA, all shareholders in the company must be consulted and agree to sell their shares in the company.