Asset transaction means any transaction or related series of transactions whereby the Issuer transfers certain of its assets to ReGen AG through a sale, capital contribution or otherwise.
In an asset sale, the ownership of these acquired assets would change hands, with the buyer negotiating separately for each asset. In a stock sale, ownership of such assets does not change hands in the same way. The target still retains its ownership typically, even if the target has a new owner.
The sale of a business usually is not a sale of one asset. Instead, all the assets of the business are sold. Generally, when this occurs, each asset is treated as being sold separately for determining the treatment of gain or loss. A business usually has many assets.
In an asset sale, the ownership of these acquired assets would change hands, with the buyer negotiating separately for each asset. In a stock sale, ownership of such assets does not change hands in the same way. The target still retains its ownership typically, even if the target has a new owner.
Unlike an asset sale, stock sales do not require numerous separate conveyances of each individual asset because the title of each asset lies within the corporation. With stock sales, buyers lose the ability to gain a stepped up basis in the assets and thus do not get to re-depreciate certain assets.
The short answer is that a stock sale is better for you, the seller, while the buyer benefits from an asset sale. But, since we're talking about the IRS, there are infinite variations and complications. As such, you will want to get professional tax and legal advice before proceeding.
What is an asset sale? An asset sale happens when you sell or transfer the assets of your company, rather than shares or stock. These assets can be tangible (eg machinery and inventory) or intangible (eg intellectual property).
Continuity is generally maintained as contracts remain in place, subject to change of control provisions, which need to be considered. The company that owns the assets will conclude the sale (subject to director approval) and individual shareholder consent is not required (unless there is a shareholders' agreement).
The benefit of an asset sale, from the buyer's perspective, is that it can select which assets and liabilities to acquire in the deal, compared to a stock sale or merger, where the buyer acquires all the assets and liabilities of the target.
Key Takeaways. In an asset sale, a firm sells some or all of its actual assets, either tangible or intangible. The seller retains legal ownership of the company that has sold the assets but has no further recourse to the sold assets. The buyer assumes no liabilities in an asset sale.