Key Takeaways. Inventory is the raw materials used to produce goods as well as the goods that are available for sale. It is classified as a current asset on a company's balance sheet.
Level 1 assets are the top classification based on their transparency and how reliably their fair market value can be calculated. Level 2 and 3 assets are less liquid and more difficult to quickly and correctly ascertain their fair value.
Class III: Accounts receivables, mortgages, and credit card receivables. Class IV: Inventory. Class V: All assets not in classes I – IV, VI, and VII (equipment, land, building) Class VI: Section 197 intangibles, except goodwill and going concern.
In addition, Class II assets include certificates of deposit and foreign currency even if they are not actively traded personal property. Class II assets do not include stock of seller's affiliates, whether or not actively traded, other than actively traded stock described in section 1504(a)(4).
Furniture and fixtures, buildings, land, vehicles, and equipment that constitute all or part of a trade or business (defined earlier) are generally Class V assets.
The seller usually seeks to maximize amounts allocated to assets that will result in capital gains tax while minimizing amounts allocated to assets that will result in ordinary income taxes.