An asset sale is the purchase of individual assets and liabilities, whereas a stock sale is the purchase of the owner's shares of a corporation. In a stock sale, the buyer acquires equity from the target company's shareholders.Learn the tax implications for each type of sale. With an asset sale, the corporation's tax identity does not transfer to the purchaser. Asset Sale lets buyers choose specific assets and liabilities; Stock Sale doesn't. There is no income tax on the sale of the stock to the acquiring company. While an asset sale outshines a stock sale in company structure support, it loses a fair amount of points when it comes to tax implications.