1031 exchange

A 1031 exchange, named after Section 1031 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code, is a strategic tool for deferring tax on capital gains. You can leverage it to sell an investment property and reinvest the proceeds in a new one, effectively postponing the tax liability.

A 1031 exchange, also known as a like-kind exchange, is a powerful tax-deferment strategy popular with experienced real estate investors. It allows you to defer capital gains taxes on an investment property when it’s sold—as long as the investor purchases another like-kind property with the proceeds of the first property sale.

The term “like-kind” refers to the nature or character of the property, not its grade or quality. Essentially, there’s a wide variety of property types that you could consider to be like-kind. As long as the net market value of each successive property rises (or combined net market value, in the case of multiple replacement properties), you can exchange into like-kind properties indefinitely.

Example of a 1031 Exchange

Consider an investor who owns an apartment building valued at $1 million. The investor has held this rental property for several years and has accumulated substantial appreciation, making the building worth more now than when they initially purchased it. Now, the investor wants to diversify their portfolio, and they’re eyeing another retail building in Austin worth $1.5 million.

The investor decides to utilize the 1031 exchange. They sell the apartment building and use the proceeds to acquire the retail space in Austin. By using the 1031 exchange, they can defer paying capital gains tax on the sale of the apartment building.

Despite changing their investment from residential real estate to commercial property, this transaction qualifies as a like-kind exchange because it involves similar types of assets (real estate). The net market value increases from one property to the next. Hence, the 1031 exchange allows the investor to seamlessly shift their real estate investment while postponing tax liabilities.

1031 Exchange Timelines and Rules

The 1031 exchange process involves strict timelines and rules that must be followed to successfully defer capital gains tax. Below are some essential points to keep in mind regarding these timelines and rules:

• 45-day identification period. This is the first significant timeline in a 1031 exchange. Within 45 days of selling the relinquished property, you must identify potential replacement properties. This includes providing a written list of up to three properties, regardless of their value, or an unlimited number of properties as long as the total value doesn’t exceed 200% of the sold property’s value.
• 180-day purchase period. The second significant timeline begins on the day you sell your property and lasts for 180 days. During this period, you must close on one or more of the properties identified in the previous step.
• No personal use allowed. You must hold the replacement property acquired through a 1031 exchange for productive use in a trade, business or investment. Personal residences don’t qualify.
• Full reinvestment required to defer all taxes. To fully defer capital gains tax, you must reinvest all proceeds from the sale of the relinquished property into the purchase of the new property.
• Reverse 1031s are possible. In some cases, it may be possible to purchase your replacement property before selling the property you intend to replace. This is called a reverse 1031 exchange and shares many of the same rules and requirements as a normal exchange.

By adhering to these timelines and rules, you can successfully complete a 1031 exchange and defer capital gains tax on your investment property. Still, it’s always advisable to consult with a tax professional or qualified intermediary for guidance throughout the process.