In an asset sale, a firm sells some or all of its actual assets, either tangible or intangible. An asset sale transaction involves the sale of some or all of the assets used in a business from a selling company to a buyer.An asset sale occurs when the assets of your business are sold to a buyer. An asset sale is where you sell some of your business' assets to a third party. Such assets can include tangible assets such as equipment and inventory. Form 4797 is used to report gains made from the sale or exchange of business property, including but not limited to property used to generate rental income. An asset deal occurs when a buyer is interested in purchasing the operating assets of a business instead of stock shares. In an asset sale, the new owner purchases the business's physical assets. The seller retains all rights to the legal entity.