In an asset sale, a firm sells some or all of its actual assets, either tangible or intangible. A taxable asset purchase allows the buyer to "step up," or increase, the tax basis of the acquired assets to reflect the purchase price.In an asset sale, the buyer has the option to choose which assets (and liabilities) they want to acquire (or assume) directly from the business. An asset sale occurs when the assets of your business are sold to a buyer. 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. Today's goal is to help you understand the importance of IRS Tax Form 8594 in preparing for sale of your business to a third party… An asset sale is the purchase of individual assets and liabilities, whereas a stock sale is the purchase of the owner's shares of a corporation.