SOHI LAW GROUPAsset & Share Purchase

We educate our clients on the regulations governing two techniques of selling or buying a business: (1) an asset purchase or (2) a share purchase.

Asset & Share Purchase

Individual assets must be sold in order to purchase assets. A share buy is purchasing 100 percent of a company’s shares, effectively transferring all of the company’s assets and liabilities to the purchaser. In general, the buyer prefers an asset transaction, while the seller prefers a share transaction. This choice, however, may vary depending on a variety of conditions. An asset purchase is generally more complicated than a share purchase because documentation is required for each asset transferred.

Purchasing Asset of the Company

The purchase of some or all of a company’s assets, such as equipment, inventories, real estate, contracts, or lease agreements, is referred to as asset purchasing. Third-party consent may also be necessary if the control conditions of a contract, lease, licence, or permit are changed. Agreements frequently indicate that a change in control requires the third party’s approval or may result in the agreement’s forfeiture.

This strategy is typically preferred by buyers since it allows them to be selective about the assets they desire to purchase. A buyer may prefer an asset transaction since it has less liability risk.

Purchasing Share of the Company

A share transaction involves the acquisition or selling of all of the company’s shares. This form of transaction is less complicated than an asset transaction and requires fewer transfer documentation. Documentation is only necessary for the transfer of shares and the assignment of shareholder loans on rare occasions.

This strategy is typically preferred by the vendor due to the personal income tax benefits. The proceeds of share sales are taxed as capital gains, with only half of the earnings being considered income. Certain lifetime income tax exemptions are also available for the selling of qualifying small business shares. This is a substantial financial advantage for the vendor. As a result, the vendor may be ready to negotiate a lower price if the buyer agrees to a share transaction.

There may also be certain tax advantages for the buyer. If the company has accumulated any unused permitted losses, the purchaser may benefit from non-capital tax loss carry forwards, which can be utilised against future income earned by the company. The purchaser may be able to avoid paying sales tax on assets such as equipment and inventory, as well as property transfer tax on real estate and structures, in some cases.

A buyer may be cautious to commit to a share transaction because the buyer inherits all of the company’s liabilities as well as its assets. This is dangerous since liability is frequently unknown or unpredictable at the time of the transaction.

How can we help?

If you have questions, please fill out the quick form on the right. We typically respond to inquiries within 24 hours.

Canada Office

206 - 132 W 15th St, North Vancouver

Email us

[email protected]

Call us

(+1) 604-265-0666

Request a call back

Error: Contact form not found.