The two most common ways to transfer ownership of a business are a stock sale and an asset purchase. Many Buyers will require that a sale be structured as an Asset Purchase in order to avoid responsibility for prior liabilities or expenses of the business.An APA is a legallybinding contract between a buyer and seller that finalizes the terms and conditions of an acquisition. Both the seller and purchaser of a group of assets that makes up a trade or business must use Form 8594 to report such a sale. In an asset sale, the new owner purchases the business's physical assets. The seller retains all rights to the legal entity.