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Business Purchase Agreement Template – Free Download 2026

Download a professional business purchase agreement template. Customizable for all 50 states, available in PDF and DOCX formats. Attorney-verified and ready to use.

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When Do You Need a Business Purchase Agreement?

You are buying or selling an existing business and need a detailed agreement covering the purchase price, payment terms, assets included, liabilities assumed, and closing conditions.

You need to define representations and warranties about the business's financial condition, legal compliance, contracts, employees, and intellectual property.

The transaction requires a structured due diligence period with the right to terminate if material issues are discovered before closing.

What Should a Business Purchase Agreement Include?

Purchase Price and Payment Terms

The total purchase price, allocation between assets, earnout provisions, seller financing terms, and escrow holdback amounts.

Assets and Liabilities

Detailed schedules of included assets (equipment, inventory, IP, contracts, goodwill) and assumed vs. excluded liabilities.

Representations and Warranties

Seller's representations about financial statements, tax compliance, material contracts, employee matters, litigation, and environmental compliance.

Closing Conditions and Indemnification

Conditions that must be satisfied before closing, and indemnification obligations for breaches of representations or undisclosed liabilities.

Legal Details: Key Clauses in a Business Purchase Agreement

Review the standard legal provisions included in a professional business purchase agreement. Each section below contains clause language used in attorney-verified templates.

Definitions & Purchase Price
1.1

This Business Purchase Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of [____________] by and between [____________], a [____________] organized under the laws of the State of [____________] ("Seller"), and [____________], a [____________] organized under the laws of the State of [____________] ("Buyer"). As used herein, "Purchased Assets" means all of the tangible and intangible assets of Seller used in the operation of the business known as [____________] (the "Business"), as more particularly described on Schedule A attached hereto. "Assumed Liabilities" means only those specific liabilities of Seller expressly set forth on Schedule B. Buyer shall not assume, and shall have no obligation with respect to, any liabilities of Seller not expressly listed on Schedule B, including any undisclosed, contingent, or disputed liabilities.

1.2

The aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Assets shall be [$__________] (the "Purchase Price"), allocated among the Purchased Asset categories as set forth on Schedule C in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1060-1 and IRC Section 1060. The Purchase Price shall be payable as follows: (a) [$__________] in immediately available funds at Closing (the "Cash Consideration"); (b) [$__________] by delivery of a promissory note in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Seller Note"); and (c) [$__________] deposited into escrow pursuant to the Escrow Agreement attached as Exhibit B, to be released to Seller upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth therein. The parties shall execute IRS Form 8594 consistent with Schedule C within sixty (60) days after the Closing Date.

Assets Included/Excluded
2.1

The Purchased Assets shall include, without limitation: (a) all furniture, fixtures, equipment, machinery, vehicles, tools, and tangible personal property used in the Business, as listed on Schedule A-1; (b) all inventory, supplies, and work-in-progress as of the Closing Date; (c) all accounts receivable arising from the conduct of the Business prior to the Closing Date, as set forth on Schedule A-2; (d) all intellectual property, including trademarks, trade names, service marks, domain names, copyrights, patents, trade secrets, and know-how associated with the Business; (e) all assignable contracts, leases, licenses, permits, and authorizations listed on Schedule A-3; (f) all customer lists, vendor lists, goodwill, and going-concern value; and (g) all books, records, and files relating to the Business. Seller shall deliver physical and electronic possession of all Purchased Assets at Closing in good working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

2.2

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Purchased Assets shall expressly exclude (the "Excluded Assets"): (a) all cash, cash equivalents, and bank account balances of Seller as of the Closing Date; (b) all insurance policies and any claims or proceeds thereunder relating to pre-Closing periods; (c) all tax refunds, credits, and overpayments attributable to any pre-Closing tax period; (d) all rights of Seller under this Agreement; (e) all corporate minute books, stock ledgers, and organizational records of Seller; and (f) such other assets as the parties may agree to exclude in writing prior to Closing. Seller shall retain sole responsibility for all Excluded Assets and all liabilities associated therewith from and after the Closing.

2.3

All contracts and agreements listed on Schedule A-3 that require consent to assignment shall be assigned to Buyer only upon receipt of such consent. Seller shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain all required third-party consents prior to Closing. With respect to any contract for which consent is not obtained prior to Closing, Seller shall cooperate with Buyer in any reasonable arrangement designed to provide Buyer the benefit of such contract, including sub-contracting arrangements, until formal assignment can be effectuated. Neither party shall be required to make any payment or agree to any adverse modification of any contract to obtain consent.

Representations & Warranties
3.1

Seller represents and warrants to Buyer that, as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date: (a) Seller is duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of its state of organization, and has full power and authority to execute, deliver, and perform this Agreement; (b) the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary action of Seller, and this Agreement constitutes the legal, valid, and binding obligation of Seller, enforceable against Seller in accordance with its terms; (c) neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby will conflict with or violate any provision of Seller's organizational documents, any material contract to which Seller is a party, or any applicable law, rule, or regulation.

3.2

Seller further represents and warrants that: (a) Seller has good and marketable title to all Purchased Assets, free and clear of all liens, security interests, claims, charges, and encumbrances, except as disclosed on Schedule D; (b) the Financial Statements of the Business for the fiscal years ended [____________] and [____________] and the interim period ended [____________], copies of which are attached as Exhibit C, have been prepared in accordance with [GAAP / the cash method of accounting] and fairly present the financial condition and results of operations of the Business as of the dates and for the periods indicated; (c) since the date of the most recent Financial Statements, there has been no material adverse change in the Business, its assets, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects; and (d) there is no pending or, to Seller's knowledge, threatened litigation, proceeding, investigation, or claim against Seller or the Business that could reasonably be expected to affect the Purchased Assets or the Business.

Due Diligence & Closing Conditions
4.1

From the date of this Agreement until the Closing Date, Seller shall afford Buyer and its representatives, including accountants, attorneys, and consultants, reasonable access during normal business hours to all properties, books, records, contracts, tax returns, and personnel of the Business for purposes of due diligence investigation. Seller shall promptly provide Buyer with copies of all documents and information reasonably requested by Buyer. Buyer shall conduct all due diligence in a manner designed to minimize interference with the Business's operations and shall maintain in strict confidence all non-public information obtained during due diligence in accordance with the Confidentiality Agreement executed by the parties on [____________], which is incorporated herein by reference.

4.2

The obligations of Buyer to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby are subject to the satisfaction or written waiver by Buyer, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following conditions: (a) all representations and warranties of Seller shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date; (b) Seller shall have performed and complied in all material respects with all covenants and obligations required by this Agreement to be performed or complied with by Seller prior to Closing; (c) there shall have been no material adverse change in the Business, the Purchased Assets, or the financial condition of Seller since the date of this Agreement; (d) all required governmental approvals, third-party consents, and regulatory clearances shall have been obtained; (e) no injunction, restraining order, or prohibition shall be in effect preventing or restricting the consummation of the transactions; and (f) Seller shall have delivered all instruments of transfer, bills of sale, assignment and assumption agreements, and other Closing deliverables specified in Section 4.3.

Indemnification & Post-Closing Obligations
5.1

Seller shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Buyer and its affiliates, successors, officers, directors, employees, and agents (collectively, "Buyer Indemnitees") from and against any and all losses, damages, liabilities, deficiencies, claims, actions, judgments, settlements, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) (collectively, "Losses") arising out of or resulting from: (a) any breach of any representation or warranty of Seller contained in this Agreement or in any certificate delivered pursuant hereto; (b) any breach of any covenant or obligation of Seller under this Agreement; (c) any Excluded Liability; (d) any claims of employees, contractors, or benefit plan participants relating to events occurring prior to the Closing; and (e) any failure by Seller to comply with applicable bulk sales or transfer laws. Seller's aggregate indemnification obligation under clause (a) above shall not exceed [____________]% of the Purchase Price (the "Cap"), and no individual claim shall be payable unless and until the aggregate Losses exceed [$__________] (the "Basket"), at which point Seller shall be liable for the full amount of Losses in excess of the Basket, subject to the Cap. The Cap and Basket shall not apply to indemnification obligations arising from fraud or willful misconduct.

5.2

For a period of [two (2)] years following the Closing Date, Seller and each Seller principal identified on Schedule E (collectively, the "Restricted Parties") shall not, directly or indirectly: (a) engage in or own an interest in any business competitive with the Business within the geographic area described on Schedule F (the "Restricted Territory"); (b) solicit or hire any employee of the Business; or (c) solicit any customer, vendor, or supplier of the Business. The parties acknowledge that these restrictions are reasonable and necessary to protect the value of the Purchased Assets and the goodwill transferred to Buyer. In addition, Seller shall cooperate with Buyer for a period of [sixty (60)] days following the Closing to ensure an orderly transition of the Business, including by introducing Buyer to key customers, vendors, and employees, and providing reasonable consulting services as reasonably requested by Buyer at no additional cost.

5.3

All representations and warranties of Seller shall survive the Closing for a period of [eighteen (18)] months (the "Survival Period"), except that: (a) representations and warranties relating to title to the Purchased Assets, authority, and capitalization shall survive indefinitely; (b) representations and warranties relating to taxes shall survive until sixty (60) days after the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations; and (c) representations and warranties breached as a result of fraud or intentional misrepresentation shall survive indefinitely. Any claim for indemnification must be asserted in writing prior to the expiration of the applicable Survival Period. All covenants and agreements of the parties that by their terms require performance after the Closing shall survive the Closing in accordance with their respective terms.

Signature Requirements

E-Signature Valid

Business purchase agreements are valid with electronic signatures under ESIGN/UETA.

How to Fill Out a Business Purchase Agreement

1

Define the Transaction Structure

Determine whether this is an asset purchase (buyer selects specific assets) or stock/equity purchase (buyer acquires the entire entity). Most small business sales are asset purchases.

2

Negotiate the Purchase Price

Agree on the total price and how it will be paid: lump sum at closing, seller financing, earnout based on future performance, or a combination.

3

Conduct Due Diligence

Review financial statements, tax returns, contracts, employee records, litigation history, and regulatory compliance before finalizing the agreement.

4

Execute at Closing

At closing, execute all transfer documents, deliver payment, assign contracts and leases, and file any required notices with state agencies.

Free Template vs Custom Business Purchase Agreement

FeatureFree TemplateCustom (AI or Attorney)
Basic business purchase agreement template
Asset schedules and allocation worksheets-
Attorney-reviewed agreement with custom terms-

Business Purchase Agreement Template FAQ

What is the difference between an asset purchase and a stock purchase?
In an asset purchase, the buyer selects specific assets (equipment, inventory, customer lists, IP) and typically does not assume unknown liabilities. In a stock purchase, the buyer acquires the entire legal entity, including all assets and all liabilities — known and unknown. Asset purchases are more common for small businesses because they offer better liability protection for the buyer.
Do I need a lawyer to buy a business?
While not legally required, buying a business involves complex legal, tax, and financial considerations. An attorney can identify hidden liabilities, negotiate protective representations and warranties, structure the transaction tax-efficiently, and ensure proper transfer of licenses, permits, and contracts.
What is an earnout in a business purchase?
An earnout is a portion of the purchase price that is contingent on the business achieving specified financial targets after closing. It bridges valuation gaps between buyer and seller — the seller receives additional payment only if the business performs as projected.

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