Learn the tax implications for each type of sale. With an asset sale, the buyer is buying the assets of the business.These assets will be identified in the purchase and sale agreement. Asset Sale lets buyers choose specific assets and liabilities; Stock Sale doesn't. A stock purchase is a complete purchase of a company, including all the assets and liabilities. 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. Generally, a stock sale is better for the seller and an asset sale is better for the buyer. While stock sales occur between the shareholder (the business owner) and the buyer, asset sales occur between the company itself and the buyer. In a stock sale, the buyer acquires equity from the target company's shareholders.