Want to sell your property or purchase property under the rules of a 1031 Exchange? Cassandra Merrill is knowledgeable about the timing and other requirements of a 1031 Exchange.

The Tax Deferred Exchange

Brief Exchange Communications Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. cannot provide advice regarding specific tax consequences. Investors considering an IRC §1031 tax deferred exchange should seek the counsel of their accountant and attorney to obtain professional and legal advice. © 2003 Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc.The Tax Deferred Exchange The tax deferred exchange, as defined in Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, offers investors one of the last great opportunities to build wealth and save taxes. By completing an exchange, the investor (Exchanger) can dispose of their investment property, use all of the equity to acquire replacement investment property, defer the capital gain tax that would ordinarily be paid, and leverage all of their equity into the replacement property. Two requirements must be met to defer the capital gain tax: (a) the Exchanger must acquire “like kind” replacement property and (b) the Exchanger cannot receive cash or other benefits (unless the Exchanger pays capital gain taxes on this money).

In any exchange the Exchanger must enter into the exchange transaction prior to the close of the relinquished property. The Exchanger and the Qualified Intermediary enter into an Exchange Agreement, which essentially requires that (a) the Qualified Intermediary acquires the relinquished property from the Exchanger and transfers it to the buyer by direct deed from the Exchanger and (b) the Qualified Intermediary acquires the replacement property from the seller and transfers it to the Exchanger by direct deed from the seller. The cash or other proceeds from the relinquished property are assigned to the Qualified Intermediary and are held by the Qualified Intermediary in a separate, secure account. The exchange funds are used by the Qualified Intermediary to purchase the replacement property for the Exchanger.

Important Considerations for an Exchange?

• Exchanges must be completed within strict time limits. The Exchanger has 45 days from the date the relinquished property closes to “Identify” potential replacement properties. This involves a written notification to the Qualified Intermediary listing the addresses or legal descriptions of the potential replacement properties. The purchase of the replacement property must be completed within 180 days after of the close of the relinquished property. After the 45 days has passed, the Exchanger may not change their Property Identification list and must purchase one of the listed replacement properties or the exchange fails!
• To avoid the payment of capital gain taxes the Exchanger should follow three general rules: (a) purchase are placement property that is the same or greater value as the relinquished property, (b) reinvest all of the exchange equity into the replacement property and (c) obtain the same or greater debt on the replacement property as on the relinquished property. The Exchanger can offset the amount of debt obtained on the replacement property by putting the equivalent amount of additional cash into the exchange.
• The Exchanger must sell property that is held for income or investment purposes and acquire replacement property that will be held for income or investment purposes.
• IRC Section 1031 does not apply to exchanges of stock in trade, inventory, property held for sale, stocks, bonds, notes, securities, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of trust or beneficial interests, or interests in a partnership.

Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. is available to assist Exchangers and their advisors with their exchange strategies. The Exchanger is always advised to discuss the intended exchange with their legal or tax advisor.

NOTE: The information above has been provided by: Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. ww.ipx1031.com. Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc. and Cassandra Merrill cannot provide advice regarding specific tax consequences. Investors considering an IRC 1031 tax deferred exchange should seek the counsel of their accountant and attorney to obtain professional and legal advice. ©2003 Investment Property Exchange Services, Inc.

Select a Helpful PDF Download on 1031 Exchanges:

	How to Initiate an Exchange
	Tax Deferred Exchange Terminology
	What Property Qualifies for IRC 1031 Treatment?
	IRC 1031 Do's and Dont's
	"Like-Kind" Property
	The Simultaneous Exchange
	The Delayed Exchange
	Delayed Exchange Deadlines and Identification Requirements
	The Reverse Exchange
	How to Initiate a Reverse Exchange
	Tax Season Issues
	Non-Tax Reasons to Exchange
	Estimating The Capital Gain Tax on the Sale of Investment Property
	Partnership, LLC and REIT Issues
	Exchanging with a Related Party
	Disqualified Parties and Your Attourney as Accomodator
	Combining Seller Financing with Tax Deferred Exchanges
	The Impact of Depreciation Recapture on Exchanges
	The Role of the Qualified Intermediary