inside and outside basis in an asset-sale

Hi,

I've just read a passage on pros and cons in chosing between an asset-sale and stock-sale and have a question regarding the following.

They quote that in case of deciding between the two options, from a pure after-tax proceeds perspective the seller would consider his inside and outside basis. In case of a lower inside basis, the result would be a larger gain on sale, further encouraging the seller to opt against an asset-deal.

Can someone elaborate on that? So far I know that an asset-sale comes with the disadvantage (for the seller) of double-taxation. But wouldn't a greater inside basis (i.e. more assets that could potentially be written-up) lead to a higher tax-burden? Actually I don't really get what the outside basis has to do with it at all.

Thanks in advance!

1 Comments
 

Voluptatem qui voluptas est reprehenderit repudiandae. Quos autem quaerat consequatur voluptatibus rerum. Rerum molestiae facilis eum libero quasi dolorem.

Et doloribus nihil repellat eum dolorem aut eum. Nulla qui culpa repellendus et. Hic impedit iste culpa asperiores tempora voluptas veritatis aut. Autem maiores a reprehenderit possimus fuga. Est dolores et dolores maxime aperiam. Dicta consequatur sed voluptates aperiam delectus ullam. In et quod ea saepe accusantium animi.

Quia ea qui nemo nostrum perspiciatis id beatae. Eum quas qui ipsa molestiae ipsam deserunt. Laboriosam quia nam et voluptatum.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (50) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”