Asset vs. Stock Sale: What is the Tax Impact to the Buyer?

For multiple reasons, buyers usually prefer to structure a transaction as an asset sale rather than a stock sale. In certain situations, an asset sale allows a buyer to purchase the company without fear of unknown or contingent liabilities. The reason most often cited for a buyer’s decision to purchase assets versus stock is the ability to amortize the goodwill portion of the purchase price.

To illustrate, assume the sale of a distribution company with the following assets:

• Accounts Receivable $5,000,000
• Inventory $8,000,000
• Furniture & Fixtures (net) 500,000
• Total Assets $13,500,000

Further assume that the buyer offers to purchase the assets of the distribution company for $20,000,000 and assume the existing accounts payable and accrued expenses totaling $2,000,000. For tax purposes, the parties agree to allocate the purchase price at book value. Goodwill related to the transaction is calculated as follows:

• Cash Purchase Price $20,000,000
• Assumed Liabilities $2,000,000
• Total Purchase Price $22,000,000
• Less: Book Value of Assets $13,500,000
• Goodwill $8,500,000

Goodwill is amortized over a period of 15 years. A goodwill allocation of $8,500,000 represents an annual tax deduction for the buyer of $566,667 for each of the next 15 years. Assuming a marginal tax rate of 40% and the buyer’s cost of capital of 8%, the tax savings or value of the deduction is $226,667 per year with a total net present value of the deduction of $1,940,000.

As a result, the value of structuring the transaction as an asset purchase creates a savings of $1,940,000 for the buyer. This savings is one reason a buyer can justify a higher purchase price in an asset sale versus a stock sale.

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