Last updated: May 24, 2022
What is a Business Purchase Agreement?
A Business Purchase Agreement is a contract that transfers a business entity from its owner to a new buyer. This contract may also be called a Purchase of Business Agreement. It can be used to buy or sell many types of businesses, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies (LLCs).
Business Purchase Agreements list the terms of the transaction and can include clauses and warranties that protect both the seller and the purchaser after the transaction has been completed.
A Business Purchase Agreement is also known as a:
- Business sale agreement
- Sale of business contract
- Business sale contract
- Business bill of sale
- Transfer of business ownership agreement
- Selling a business contract
- Purchase agreement for business
- Business transfer agreement
A Business Purchase Agreement is only applicable for the sale of an existing business, not situations where someone is starting a new business.
What types of business purchases can a Business Purchase Agreement be used for?
A Business Purchase Agreement can be used for business acquisitions involving a sale of assets or a sale of all shares. There may be tax implications involved in selling assets versus selling shares. If you are uncertain which is the best option for you, consider consulting with a lawyer or accountant.
Sale of assets
In a sale of assets, the assets owned by the business are sold but the business itself is not. Any type of business structure or entity can be sold by selling its assets, including sole proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, and LLCs. Assets can include:
- Buildings
- Equipment
- Product inventory
- Confirmed sales orders
- Business contracts
- Books, files, and records
- Client lists
- Trademarks and other intellectual property
- Goodwill
You have the choice of excluding certain assets from the Business Purchase Agreement, including cash and bank balances, securities, records of excluded assets, and accounts receivable.
Under a sale of assets, the business entity itself is not sold. The business may retain its name, liabilities, and tax filings. When you purchase a business’s assets, you are only purchasing one aspect of the business, not the business itself.
Business assets are not considered legally transferred without a properly executed Business Purchase Agreement between the seller and purchaser.
Sale of shares
When a business is incorporated, its ownership is represented with shares. In a sale of shares, the corporation’s shareholders sell all the issued shares to the purchaser. Only corporations can be sold through a sale of shares.
In this type of sale, the entire business transfers from the seller to the purchaser, including its assets, rights, and obligations. Assets may include inventory and buildings. Rights may include copyright or the business’s trademarked name. Obligations may include debts and liabilities.
If all issued shares are not going to be sold, use a Share Purchase Agreement instead to transfer some shares of stock in a corporation.
Who should use a Business Purchase Agreement?
A Purchase of Business Agreement can be used by anyone who is purchasing or selling a business. This may include individuals, small businesses, or large companies. For example, any of the following parties can use a Business Purchase Agreement:
- A sole proprietorship selling their registered company name
- A small business selling their inventory and equipment
- A new company purchasing another company’s building
- An existing company selling its customer list
- A corporation selling all of its issued shares
Why is it important to use a Business Purchase Agreement?
Without a Business Purchase Agreement, it is nearly impossible for a seller and purchaser to be on the same page regarding the details of the transaction. A Business Purchase Agreement ensures that both parties are clear on their rights and obligations.
It is vital that the seller and purchaser use a Business Purchase Agreement to specify who is responsible for the business’s outstanding debts and liabilities.
In addition, a Business Purchase Agreement helps ensure that the purchaser understands the company’s current condition so they can make an informed decision about buying an existing business. If the purchaser determines that they no longer want to buy the business during the creation of the agreement, they can back out of the deal at any time before signing.
How do I create a Business Purchase Agreement?
The easiest way to create a Business Purchase Agreement is to use a template that is customized to your state. Our Business Purchase Agreement template will guide you through the following steps:
- Specify whether the transaction involves a sale of assets or a sale of shares.
- Provide the business’s information, including its name and address.
- Outline the nature of the business.
- If the transaction involves a sale of assets, specify the business’s incorporation status.
- Provide the seller’s and purchaser’s information.
- If the transaction involves a sale of assets, specify the included and excluded assets and the value of each asset.
- If the transaction involves a sale of shares, specify how the purchase price will be determined (i.e., total purchase price or price for each share).
- Specify the contract’s closing date.
- Determine if a deposit is required.
- Outline payment details, including whether the purchaser will pay a lump sum or with a Promissory Note.
- Specify which clauses are included, such as non-competition, non-solicitation, confidentiality, or environmental compliance.
- Outline the seller’s and purchaser’s representations and warranties.
In addition to these steps, specify if and how the seller will prove that their representations are truthful. Also, specify if the purchaser will assume any of the seller’s liability. You may also specify if the purchaser will hire some, all, or none of the business’s current employees. Lastly, include any additional conditions the seller or purchaser must fulfill before the closing date.
What are the restrictive clauses in a Business Purchase Agreement?
A Purchase of Business Agreement may include four different restrictive clauses or warranties, including:
- Non-competition: Prevents the seller from entering into a similar, competitive business prior to the expiration of the non-competition period.
- Non-solicitation: Prevents the seller from soliciting or hiring employees who will be or are working for the purchaser, prior to the expiration of the non-solicitation period.
- Confidentiality: Protects both the purchaser and the seller from the harmful release of any proprietary or confidential information that may have been revealed at any time during negotiations.
- Environmental compliance: Where applicable, the seller should guarantee that no hazardous spill or emission has occurred for which the purchaser could become liable and also guarantee that the business is not in violation of any relevant environmental laws.
What are assumed liabilities in a Business Purchase Agreement?
Assumed liabilities are the financial obligations that the purchaser takes on (i.e., assumes) from the seller.
During a sale of assets, the purchaser usually does not assume liability for the seller’s financial liabilities or obligations, such as debt. However, there are exceptions. For example, a purchaser may be willing to assume a company’s financial liability if they negotiate a lower sales price with the seller.
During a sale of all shares, the purchaser assumes all of the business’s liabilities. Therefore, it is important for purchasers to thoroughly check for liabilities and debts before buying a business through a sale of shares. It is also essential that purchasers understand that they will be responsible for any hidden liabilities that arise if they purchase through a sale of shares.