What is a 1031 Exchange?
In September 2017, we wrote in 1031 Exchanges, about the worry by real estate investors that Congress would eliminate the 1031 exchange. But after the Trump tax reform was passed in late 2017, we can say the 1031 exchange is still alive. What is a 1031 Exchange?
A 1031 exchange is mostly relevant for people with rental property. The 1031 exchange is useful for people who want to use the proceeds from the sale of one rental property to purchase another rental property and defer capital gains taxes.
Why Would a Real Estate Investor Use a 1031 Exchange?
The purpose of a 1031 exchange is to defer paying 15 percent taxes on capital gains. If you sell a property and you’ve made some money on it, you pay 15 percent on your gains. If you defer your taxes by using a 1031 exchange, you don’t have to pay the IRS as long as you roll that money into another investment (rental) property
Keep in mind, the taxes you defer paying could be as high as 30 percent when you consider depreciation costs, etc. On the surface, it’s the 15 percent capital gains tax you are avoiding here.
What is a 1031 Exchange?
Erin Spradlin at BiggerPockets.com shares eight rules for using the 1031 Exchanges.
- The rule works for like-kind properties. You must use the properties in question for business or as an investment. This is meant to exclude primary residences which are, by default, for personal use the majority of the time. Like-kind property also must be within the United States to qualify. For example, a seller cannot use the proceeds from selling a hotel in the U.S. to buy a hotel in London and expect to defer capital gains on the sale. Securities, stocks, partnership interests, and other financial assets are excluded from the definition of like-kind property.
- From the day you sell your initial rental property, you have 45 days to find a property you wish to purchase
- From the day you sell your initial rental property, you have 180 days to close on a new property.
- You must purchase property of equal or greater value than the adjusted value. (not the price value — but the adjusted cost basis when taking into account depreciation less commissions and closing costs) of the property you sold, or the IRS will tax you on the difference.
More of the eight rules
- If you do not close on a property within 180 days of selling your initial property, you pay the capital gains tax.
- During the interim of selling your first place and closing on your second, you cannot touch/look at/get close to the profits from the first place you sold. That money stays with a 1031 exchange facilitator (qualified intermediary) and not, not, not with you.
- You must sell the old property and buy the new property with the same entity. Meaning, if you sell a property as John Smith, you have to buy the new one as John Smith and not as Smith, LLC.
- A good rule of thumb for the majority of you. You must own your property for one year and one day to make this 1031 exchange. Otherwise, The IRS will penalize you.
These are the basics of a 1031 exchange. If you have more questions, reach out to a 1031 facilitator, a trusted tax professional, or someone you know and respect.
FREE information on How to sell your house fast
JT Integrity Properties is here to help homeowners out of any distressed situation.
As investors, we are in business to make a modest profit on any deal. However, we can help homeowners out of just about any situation, no matter what! There are no fees, upfront costs, commissions, or anything else. Just the simple truth about your home and how we can help you sell it fast to resolve any situation.
Give us a call today at 260-202-2222 to let us know how we can help YOU.