Acquisition Cost

Business, Legal & Accounting Glossary

Definition: Acquisition Cost


Acquisition Cost

Quick Summary of Acquisition Cost


The amount of money expended to obtain title to property, usually relating to fixed assets.




Full Definition of Acquisition Cost


Acquisition cost is the pretax amount of money it costs to gain title to any property. Acquisition cost usually applies to fixed assets. The acquisition cost accounting amount is always calculated at the amount after all discounts, closing costs, transfer costs, and other adjustments are made. Used in accounting, the acquisition cost is also a term applied to IRA withdrawals for any tax penalty-free amount applied to buy a first home. The acquisition cost of a first home would, then, be the post-closing cost including any repairs. Acquisition cost adjustments also include financing costs, so the IRA-eligible withdrawal amounts could include some of the mortgage fees required to close. The acquisition cost of a computer purchased for business use is a common question for IRS expense rules: “The entire acquisition cost of a computer purchased for business use can be expensed under Code section 179 in the first year if qualified, or depreciated over a 5-year recovery period.” Acquisition cost is a required accounting line item and calculation for any MACRS expenses deducted. Acquisition cost often appears in summaries of a company’s cost to acquire customers. The acquisition cost of a customer is really a sales expense in a customer acquisition context.


Cite Term


To help you cite our definitions in your bibliography, here is the proper citation layout for the three major formatting styles, with all of the relevant information filled in.

Page URL
https://payrollheaven.com/define/acquisition-cost/
Modern Language Association (MLA):
Acquisition Cost. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
March 28, 2024 https://payrollheaven.com/define/acquisition-cost/.
Chicago Manual of Style (CMS):
Acquisition Cost. PayrollHeaven.com. Payroll & Accounting Heaven Ltd.
https://payrollheaven.com/define/acquisition-cost/ (accessed: March 28, 2024).
American Psychological Association (APA):
Acquisition Cost. PayrollHeaven.com. Retrieved March 28, 2024
, from PayrollHeaven.com website: https://payrollheaven.com/define/acquisition-cost/

Definition Sources


Definitions for Acquisition Cost are sourced/syndicated and enhanced from:

  • A Dictionary of Economics (Oxford Quick Reference)
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Accounting
  • Oxford Dictionary Of Business & Management

This glossary post was last updated: 10th February, 2020 | 0 Views.