Key tax considerations in an asset sale
Produced in partnership with Mark Simpson of Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP
Key tax considerations in an asset sale

The following Tax guidance note Produced in partnership with Mark Simpson of Squire Patton Boggs (UK) LLP provides comprehensive and up to date legal information covering:

  • Key tax considerations in an asset sale
  • Assets included in the sale
  • Apportionment of the consideration between the assets
  • Contingent or deferred consideration
  • Seller ceasing to trade
  • Assets held by the seller on trading account
  • Assets held by the seller on capital account
  • CGT implications of sale for the seller
  • CGT implications of sale for the buyer
  • Intangible assets
    • more

The sale of a company's business can be structured as either:

  1. •

    a sale of the business assets owned by the current owner, including goodwill (an asset sale), or

  2. •

    a sale of shares if the business is being carried on by a company (a share sale)

The choice between an asset sale or a share sale is determined by tax and non-tax considerations. See Practice Note: Share sale or asset sale—tax considerations for an outline of the differing tax advantages and disadvantages applicable to each option.

This Practice Note summarises the key tax considerations relevant to the sale of assets by a corporate seller to a corporate buyer, both of which are chargeable to UK corporation tax.

In the case of a transfer of a business, special contractual provisions are included in the asset purchase agreement to ensure, so far as possible, that it is a transfer of a business rather than just a transfer of assets, for which see Precedent: Asset purchase agreement—long form and the related drafting notes.

Outside the scope of this Practice Note are considerations relating to:

  1. •

    a cross-border asset sale

  2. •

    an asset sale where either party is not a company

  3. •

    an intra-group sale of assets

  4. •

    a sale between connected parties, and

  5. •

    the employment tax considerations relevant to employees who are transferred pursuant to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations

Navigate the law quickly and efficiently with Lexis®PSL
Imagine being able to quickly find up-to-date guidance on points of law and then easily pull up sources to support your advice. With LexisPSL, you can.
Take a free trial Take a free trial
Related documents: