Tax-deferred 1031 exchanges

1031 Exchanges

When it is time to sell an investment property (met expectations, fully depreciated, retire from active management), there are many factors to consider. Whether investors are seeking to maximize gains, looking to increase the current level of income, or seeking to dispose of an underperforming asset, simply liquidating a property can create a number of taxable or recapture liabilities and obligations. Investors are taking the first step in maximizing investment results by executing a 1031 Exchange. In some of the highest tax brackets, simply “cashing out” can erode up to 40% of the gains on profitable, low basis assets on a combined state and federal level. With guidance from the Internal Revenue Service, investment sponsors construct securitized real property investments for use as suitable replacement property in a 1031 Exchange. By reinvesting sale proceeds into a securitized fractional real property program, investors may:

Defer Tax Liabilities Indefinitely
Keep Investment Dollars Fully Invested
In Many Cases Improve Upon The Grade and Quality Of Holdings

CHARACTERISTICS OF A 1031 EXCHANGE

A tax-deferred exchange is a transaction involving the sale and purchase of investment property or property held for productive use in a trade or business which meets requirements of Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code and qualifies for non-recognition of gain or loss. Technically, the exchange is tax-deferred, not tax-free, since the gain deferred in the transaction will be recognized on the ultimate sale of the replacement property received in the Exchange. During a tax-deferred exchange, the investor may not have constructive receipt of their exchange funds. Therefore, a Qualified Intermediary (QI) as an independent third party is needed to facilitate a 1031 Exchange transaction and hold the funds on behalf of the investor.

EXCHANGE STRUCTURE

When structuring an Exchange, there are two critical time limitations that begin on the day the original property is sold. They are:

It is important to note that the identification period and the closing period do run concurrently, and make no concession for weekends and holidays.

In addition to the time limitations when completing an Exchange, investors must also consider the value requirement. There is a general rule of thumb used in order to meet the exchange value requirement for full deferral treatment:

“ANY CASH RECEIVED PLUS DEBT RELIEVED FROM THE RELINQUISHED PROPERTY MUST BE REINVESTED INTO THE REPLACEMENT PROPERTY.”

The only exception to the above is with the investment of new cash to replace any or all of the debt relieved. Additional debt, while allowed when acquiring a replacement property, does not get an exchanger to the value requirement if cash is withdrawn from the transaction.