In an asset acquisition, the buyer receives a cost basis in the acquired assets. If the business you are buying includes business assets such as furniture or office equipment, you must pay sales tax on them.A somewhat basic level high level presentation on the nuts and bolts of asset purchase sale transactions. The election provides for no GST (or HST in the HST provinces) to be payable in respect of the purchase and sale of the assets and reduces the cash. Figure PPE 21 compares asset acquisitions and business combinations. This figure is not intended to address all accounting similarities or differences.