Sale of stocks and bonds other than federal obligations or Pennsylvania obligations not used in the operating cycle of the business activity. 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 new owner purchases the business's physical assets. The seller retains all rights to the legal entity. If you are thinking about purchasing a business from someone, you should be aware of Pennsylvania's Bulk Sale Law. An asset sale occurs when a bank or other type of firm sells its receivables to another party. The parties may engage in an asset acquisition, in which the buyer purchases assets directly from the target corporation. A sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all, or substantially all, the property and assets, with or without the goodwill, of a business corporation.