1031 Tax Deferred Exchange: Dodging the Capital Gains Tax Demon

Some savvy investors have always understood the importance of the profitable real estate market. Many of them have discovered a powerful tax strategy, the Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange.

Using a 1031 tax-deferred exchange, a property owner can trade income or investment property without paying any federal income taxes on the transaction, keeping substantially more of the profit from the sale. With the capital gains taxes deferred, he or she is able to reinvest all of the proceeds, including the amount that would have been paid out in capital gains taxes. This allows the earning power of the tax-deferred dollars to work for the property owner.

In essence, a 1031 tax-deferred exchange can be considered to be an interest-free loan from the Internal Revenue Service. The tax on an exchange does not have to be paid until an investor actually sells the property for cash, and no interest is charged on the taxes that are deferred. Investors can continue to exchange properties as often, and for as long as they wish, thus moving up to better investments and putting off the taxes for many years. The extra purchasing power generated by deferring the taxes will produce increased income and larger investment holdings. Finally, if the investment property is left in the taxpayer's estate, at death the capital gains taxes are wiped away forever.

Under Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, there is no gain or loss recognized on the exchange of property held for productive use, either in a trade or business or for investment, if the property is exchanged solely for similar property. A 1031 tax-deferred exchange allows the taxpayer to trade existing real estate and maximizes the proceeds from a sale that can be applied toward replacement property. However, to qualify under Section 1031, replacement property must be identified within 45 days from closing on the sale of the relinquished property, with closing within 180 days.

The most common exchange format, the delayed exchange, requires investors to work with an IRS approved middleman called a "qualified intermediary", who documents the exchange by preparing the necessary paperwork - the exchange agreements - holding proceeds on behalf of the exchanger and structuring the sale of the relinquished property and purchase of the replacement property.

In a 1031 tax exchange, no portion of the sale price can be classified as monetary.

Just as with any business transaction, conducting a 1031 exchange requires planning. Due to the tight time frame, stringent requirements and options available in a 1031 exchange, sellers should consider all facets of the transaction before selling their property.

THE FOUR BASIC STEPS IN A 1031 EXCHANGE ARE:

1. The seller arranges for the sale of the property and includes the exchange language in the contract.
2. At closing, proceeds from the sale go to a qualified intermediary for a 1031 exchange.
3. The seller identifies potential exchange properties within 45 days of closing on the sale of the relinquished property.
4. The seller completes the 1031 exchange within 180 days of closing on the sale of the relinquished property.

For more information on tax deferred exchanges, visit www.1031.us or www.realtyexchangers.com. This article is for informative use only and is not intended to replace qualified legal or tax advice. Please consult your personal tax attorney for more information.