FAQsEvery Section 1031 Exchange transaction is different. These "Frequently Asked Questions" are intended to answer general inquiries. Applying these principles will depend on the specific facts of each transaction. Always consult a competent, Qualified Intermediary, attorney, or tax advisor to determine how an exchange may best be structured to accomplish your investment objectives. Q - What is a tax-deferred exchange?In a typical transaction, the property owner is taxed on any gain from the sale. However, through a Section 1031 Exchange, the tax on the Gain is deferred until some future date. Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code provides that no gain or loss shall be recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment. A tax-deferred exchange is a method by which a property owner trades one or more relinquished properties for one or more replacement properties of "like-kind" while deferring the payment of federal income taxes and some state taxes on the transaction. The theory behind Section 1031 is that when a property owner has reinvested the sale proceeds into another property, the economic Gain has not been realized in a way that generates funds to pay any tax. In other words, the taxpayer's investment is still the same, only the form has changed (e.g., vacant land exchanged for an apartment building). Therefore, forcing taxpayers to pay tax on a "paper" gain would be unfair. The like-kind exchange under Section 1031 is tax-deferred, not tax-free. When the replacement property is ultimately sold (not as part of another exchange), the original deferred Gain, plus any additional gain realized since the purchase of the replacement property, is subject to tax. Q - What are the benefits of exchanging vs. selling?
Q - What are the different types of exchanges?
Q - What are the requirements for a valid exchange?
Q - What are the general guidelines for a taxpayer to defer all the taxable Gain?
Q - When can I take money out of the exchange account?Once the money is deposited into an exchange account, funds can only be withdrawn in accordance with the Regulations. The taxpayer cannot receive any money until the exchange is complete. If you want to receive a portion of the proceeds in cash, this must be done before the funds are deposited with the Qualified Intermediary. Q - Can the replacement property eventually be converted into the taxpayer's primary residence or a vacation home?Yes, but the holding requirements of Section 1031 must be met before changing the property's primary use. The IRS has no specific regulations on holding periods. However, many experts feel that to be safe, the taxpayer should hold the replacement property for proper use for at least one year. If the owner, later on, wants to take advantage of the homeowner's exemption (up to $250,000 or $500,000 for a couple), there is now a five-year holding period requirement. Q - What is a Qualified Intermediary (QI)?A Qualified Intermediary is an independent party facilitating tax-deferred exchanges pursuant to Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code. The QI cannot be the taxpayer or a disqualified person.
Q - Why is a Qualified Intermediary needed?The exchange ends the moment the taxpayer has actual or constructive receipt (i.e., direct or indirect use or control) of the proceeds from the relinquished property sale. Using a QI is a safe harbor established by the Treasury Regulations. If the taxpayer meets the requirements of this safe harbor, the IRS will not consider the taxpayer to receive the funds. The sale proceeds go directly to the QI, which holds them until they are needed to acquire the replacement property. The QI then delivers the funds directly to the closing agent. Q - Can the taxpayer just sell the relinquished property and put the money in a separate bank account, only to be used to purchase the replacement property?The IRS regulations are very clear. The taxpayer may not receive the proceeds or take constructive receipt of the funds in any way without disqualifying the exchange. Q - If the taxpayer has already signed a contract to sell the relinquished property, is it too late to start a tax-deferred exchange?No, as long as the taxpayer has not transferred the title or the benefits and burdens of the relinquished property, she can still set up a tax-deferred Exchange. Once the closing occurs, it is too late to take advantage of a Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange (even if the taxpayer has not cashed the proceeds check). Q - Does the Qualified Intermediary take title to the properties?No, not in most situations. The IRS regulations allow the properties to be deeded directly between the parties, just as in a normal sale transaction. The taxpayer's interests in the property purchase and sale contracts are assigned to the QI. The QI then instructs the property owner to deed the property directly to the appropriate party (for the relinquished property, its buyer; for the replacement property, the taxpayer). Q - What are the time restrictions on completing a Section 1031 exchange?A taxpayer has 45 days after the date the relinquished property is transferred to identify potential replacement properties properly. The exchange must be completed by the date 180 days after the transfer of the relinquished property or the due date of the taxpayer's federal tax return for the year in which the relinquished property was transferred, whichever is earlier. Thus, for a calendar year taxpayer, the exchange period may be cut short for any exchange that begins after October 17. However, the taxpayer can get the full 180 days by obtaining an extension of the due date for filing the tax return. Q - What if the taxpayer cannot identify any replacement property within 45 days or close on a replacement property before the end of the exchange period?Unfortunately, there are no extensions available. Suppose the taxpayer does not meet the time limits. In that case, the exchange will fail, and the taxpayer will have to pay any taxes arising from the sale of the relinquished property unless the IRS has expressly granted extensions in a specified disaster area(s). Q - Is there any limit to the number of properties that can be identified?Three rules limit the number of properties that can be identified. The taxpayer must meet the requirements of at least one of these rules:
Q - What are the requirements to properly identify replacement property?The potential replacement property must be identified in writing, signed by the taxpayer, and delivered to a party to the exchange who is not considered a "disqualified person." A "disqualified" person is anyone with a relationship with the taxpayer that is so close that the person is presumed to be under the taxpayer's control. Examples include blood relatives and any person who is or has been the taxpayer's attorney, accountant, investment banker or real estate agent within the two years before the closing of the relinquished property. The identification cannot be made orally. Q - Are Section 1031 Exchanges limited only to real estate?Yes, the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act states that Like-Kind Exchanges are now limited to exchanges of real property, not the personal property of any type. Q - What is a reverse exchange?A reverse exchange, sometimes called a "parking arrangement," occurs when a taxpayer acquires a Replacement Property before disposing of their Relinquished property. A "pure" reverse exchange, where the taxpayer owns both the Relinquished and Replacement properties simultaneously, is not allowed. The "parked" property is acquired by an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT) or parking entity. Q - Is a reverse exchange permissible?Yes. Although the Treasury Regulations still do not apply to reverse exchanges, the IRS issued "safe harbor" guidelines for reverse exchanges on September 15, 2000, in Revenue Procedure 2000-37. Compliance with the safe harbor creates certain presumptions that will enable the transaction to qualify for Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange treatment. Q - How does a reverse exchange work?In a typical reverse (or "parking") exchange, the "Exchange Accommodation Titleholder" (EAT) takes title to ("parks") the replacement property and holds it until the taxpayer can sell the relinquished property. The taxpayer then exchanges with the EAT, who owns the replacement property. An exchange structured within the safe harbor of Rev. Proc. 2000-37 cannot have a parking period beyond 180 days. Q - What happens if the exchange cannot be completed within 180 days?If the reverse exchange period exceeds 180 days, the exchange is outside the safe harbor of Rev. Proc. 2000-37. With careful planning, it is possible to structure a reverse exchange that will go beyond 180 days, but the taxpayer will lose the presumptions accompanying compliance with the safe harbor. Q - Can the proceeds from the relinquished property be used to improve the replacement property?Yes. This is known as a Build-to-Suit or Construction or Improvement Exchange. It is similar in concept to a reverse exchange. The taxpayer is not permitted to build on property she already owns. Therefore, an unrelated party or parking entity must take title to the replacement property, make the improvements, and convey title to the taxpayer before the end of the exchange period. Q- What is the difference between "realized" Gain and "recognized" Gain?Realized Gain is the increase in the taxpayer's economic position due to the exchange. In a sale, tax is paid on the realized Gain. Recognized Gain is the taxable Gain. Recognized Gain is the lesser of realized Gain or the net boot received. Q - What is Boot?Boot is any property the taxpayer receives in the exchange which is not like-kind to the relinquished property. Boot is characterized as either "cash" boot or "mortgage" boot. Realized Gain is recognized to the extent of net boot received. Q - What is Mortgage Boot?Mortgage Boot consists of liabilities assumed or given up by the taxpayer. The taxpayer pays mortgage boot when he assumes or places debt on the replacement property. The taxpayer receives a mortgage boot when he is relieved of debt on the replacement property. If the taxpayer does not acquire debt equal to or greater than the debt paid off, they are considered relieved of debt. The debt relief portion is taxable unless offset when netted against other boots in the transaction. Q - What is Cash Boot?Cash Boot is any boot received by the taxpayer other than mortgage boot. Cash boot may be in the form of money or other property. Q - What are the boot "netting" rules?
Q - I bought the property as a single person and would like to acquire the replacement property with my spouse.The most conservative way is to stay consistent and complete the exchange the same way it was started and to add the spouse after the completion of the exchange. An exception can be made if a lender requires the spouse to be added to qualify for a loan. If an exchange is planned well ahead of time, another solution would be to add the spouse to the title of the currently held property. Timing should be discussed with the CPA. Q - I closed escrow on my first replacement property within the 45-day identification period. Can I now identify three more properties within my 45-day identification period?If you use the three-property rule, the completed acquisition counts as one, and you may identify only up to two additional properties. Q - How do I identify two different properties (or ownership percentages through a TIC) covered by ONE purchase contract?If the properties could be sold separately later, they should be identified as two properties. |