Is a 1031 exchange a good idea?

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The 1031 exchange can be a great tool to increase your cash flow by deferring taxes. Savvy real estate investors have used it for decades. Through a properly executed 1031 exchange, you can legally delay paying taxes on investment gains when you sell a qualified property.



Consequently, is it worth doing a 1031 exchange?

A 1031 Exchange allows you to delay paying your taxes. It doesn't eliminate your capital gains tax. Only if you never sell your 1031 exchanged property or keep on doing a 1031 exchange, will you never incur a tax liability. The median holding period for property in America is between 7 – 8 years.

Furthermore, when should you do a 1031 exchange? This usually implies a minimum of two years' ownership. To receive the full benefit of a 1031 exchange, your replacement property should be of equal or greater value. You must identify a replacement property for the assets sold within 45 days and then conclude the exchange within 180 days.

Then, what are the advantages of a 1031 exchange?

One of the key advantages of a §1031 exchange is the ability to dispose of a property without incurring a capital gain tax liability, thereby allowing the earning power of the deferred taxes to work for the benefit of the investor (called an “Exchanger”) instead of the government.

Can I take money out of a 1031 exchange?

Taking Cash Out During a 1031 Exchange Tax Free. Remember, earlier we said that in a 1031 exchange the replacement property's purchase price and equity must be equal or greater than the property being sold. Well, what is not limited is the ability to refinance to take out money.

36 Related Question Answers Found

Can I move into my 1031 exchange property?

Astute real estate investors have also known that they can roll out of an investment property thru a 1031 Exchange and replace with a qualifying residential real estate investment property They then rent it out for a year or so (exchange professionals recommend at least one year) before moving into it.

How do I avoid capital gains tax on property sale?

Investors can look to Tax Code Section 1031 to profit on business or investment properties without paying capital gains tax. Section 1031 allows you to trade “like-kind” properties to avoid paying taxes on the initial profit.

What property qualifies for 1031 treatment?

Following are examples of qualifying properties that could be exchanged: Raw land or farmland for improved real estate. Oil & gas royalties for a ranch. Fee simple interest in real estate for a 30-year leasehold or a Tenant-in-Common interest in real estate.

How much does it cost to do a 1031 exchange?


The direct cost to you in a 1031 exchange typically comes in the form of a fee paid to your QI. QI fees vary, but most reports indicate that a typical deferred 1031 exchange costs between $600 and $1,200. Certain incidental expenses may also be passed on to you.

What can you buy with 1031 exchange?

The term 1031 Exchange is defined under section 1031 of the IRS Code. (1) To put it simply, this strategy allows an investor to “defer” paying capital gains taxes on an investment property when it is sold, as long another “like-kind property” is purchased with the profit gained by the sale of the first property.

What happens when you sell a 1031 property?

A 1031 exchange allows an investor to sell a real estate asset and purchase a "like-kind" asset without paying capital gains taxes on the sale -- even if they made a massive profit. The idea is that there's no taxable event if the investor didn't receive any monetary benefit from the sale.

How long can you defer taxes on a 1031 exchange?

You can defer capital gains by identifying one or more properties to exchange within 45 days after the EAT receives the replacement property and, typically, completing the transaction within 180 days.

What happens to depreciation in a 1031 exchange?

The basic concept of a 1031 exchange is that the basis of your Old Property rolls over to your New Property. In other words, you continue your depreciation calculations as if you still own the Old Property (your acquisition date, cost, previous depreciation taken, and remaining un-depreciated basis remain the same).

What is the current capital gains tax?


Today's Capital Gains Rates
While the tax rates for individuals' ordinary income are 10%, 12%, 22%, 24%, 32%, 35%, and 37%, long-term capital gains rates are taxed at different, generally lower rates. The basic capital gains rates are 0%, 15%, and 20%, depending on your taxable income.

Can you 1031 stock into real estate?

It is most often used in connection with the sale of real estate property. But some exchanges of personal property can qualify under Section 1031 too. Certain types of property are expressly excluded from Section 1031 treatment, including: Inventory or stock in trade.

What qualifies as capital gains?

Capital gain is a rise in the value of a capital asset (investment or real estate) that gives it a higher worth than the purchase price. The gain is not realized until the asset is sold. A capital gain may be short-term (one year or less) or long-term (more than one year) and must be claimed on income taxes.

Can I sell 2 properties in a 1031 exchange?

SELLING MULTIPLE PROPERTIES IN AN SECTION 1031
When performing a Section 1031 tax-deferred exchange, an exchanger may sell multiple relinquished properties in a single exchange, exchanging several properties into one (or multiple) replacement properties.

Is boot taxed as capital gain?

BREAKING DOWN Boot
The base amount of the exchange remains tax-deferred, but the boot is considered a taxable gain. Even with the boot, however, the recipient will pay less in capital gains taxes for the current tax year than if he had sold the appreciated property and then purchased a different property.

How can I reduce capital gains tax?


General Capital Gain Reduction Strategies
  1. Wait Longer Than a Year Before You Sell. Capital gains qualify for long-term status when the asset is held longer than one year.
  2. Time Capital Losses With Capital Gains. In a given year, capital losses offset capital gains.
  3. Sell When Your Income Is Low.
  4. Reduce Your Taxable Income.

What do I need to know about 1031 exchange?

6 things to remember about 1031 exchanges
Real estate must be used for investment or business purposes. Replacement property must be identified within 45 days and purchased within 180 days. If the value of the replacement property is less than the relinquished property, the difference is called boot and it is taxable.

Can I 1031 exchange into a primary residence?

When you sell a primary residence, you can exclude as much as $250,000 of capital gains from taxes. With a typical 1031 exchange, you can defer capital gains taxes on the sale of a property. You'll still need to pay them eventually. But using this method, you convert the acquired property to your primary home.