What is Tax-Deferred Exchange?

Under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code,propertyActual Receipt: When the Exchanger
owners of real estate held for investment or useactually receives the funds from the sale of the
in a trade or business can swap their propertyRelinquished Property. Receipt of cash by the
tax-free for "like-kind" real estate.Exchanger before he receives the Replacement
Exchanges are made for people wanting to stayProperty may be enough to destroy the tax
invested in real estate, increase their leverage anddeferred treatment of the transaction.Adjusted
to avoid paying hefty taxes upon the sale ofBasis: Generally speaking the adjusted basis is
property.Like Kind- Apartmentsequal to the purchase price plus capital
- Rental Housesimprovements less depreciation. Transactions
- Retail Propertiesinvolving exchanges, gifts, probates and receiving
- Commercialproperty from a trust can have an impact on
- Raw Landcalculating the property's adjusted basis. The
- Office Buildingstaxpayer's C.P.A. or tax advisor is the party to
- Industriallook to for these types of questions.Boot: Boot is
- RanchesNon Qualifying Properties- Personalany type of property received or given up in an
Residencesexchange that does not meet the like kind
- Dealer Propertyrequirement. Generally speaking, receiving boot will
- Partnership Intereststrigger the recognition of gain and taxes. If the
- InventoryReason to Exchanges- RestoringExchanger receives boot, they will be taxed. Boot
Depreciation that will soon expire - by exchangingadded or given up by the Exchanger does not
one property for anotherof greater value.- Tonecessarily trigger a taxable event. In a real
upgrade size and/or quality of investment. Anproperty exchange, boot received is any type of
exchange can be utilized to combine the equity ofproperty received by the exchange which is not
one or more properties into a larger singularreal property held for investment or productive
investment.- To change investment location. Anuse in a trade or business.Cash Boot: Cash Boot
exchange can be executed in anticipation ofconsists of cash and nonqualifying property. A car,
markettrends to maximize appreciation potential.7a boat or receipt of the beneficial interest in a
Steps for a Successful 1031 Tax Deferredpromissory note are all examples of Cash
ExchangeStep 1: Consult with your tax andBoot.Mortgage Boot: Mortgage Boot consists of
financial advisors to determine if a tax deferredthe secured debt given up and received as part
exchange is appropriate for your circumstancesof the same exchange. If the exchanger
and compatible with your investment goals.Step 2:increases the amount of debt on the
Listing the Relinquished Property for sale with aReplacement Property verses the Relinquished
licensed real estate broker. During the first stepProperty, they have given mortgage boot. If the
the Exchanger will list the Relinquished Propertyexchanger decreases the amount of debt on the
with a real estate broker. The broker/agent willReplacement Property verses the Relinquished
disclose the intent to complete an exchange in theProperty, they have received mortgage boot.
listing agreement.Step 3: Offer, Counter Offer andGenerally speaking, mortgage boot received
Acceptance. The Exchanger enters into a contracttriggers the recognition of gain and it is taxable,
with the Buyer for the sale/exchange of theunless offset by Cash Boot added or given up in
Relinquished Property. The broker/agent disclosesthe exchange.Constructive Receipt: Even if the
the Seller/Exchanger's intent to exchange into theExchanger does not actually receive the proceeds
Purchase Agreement and Receipt for Deposit.Stepfrom the disposition of the Relinquished Property,
4: Open escrow for the Relinquished Property andthe exchange will be disallowed if the Exchanger is
coordinate with the Facilitator. The Facilitatortreated as having constructively received the
prepares the exchange agreement andfunds.Delayed Exchange: Also called
coordinates with the escrow holder to closenon-simultaneous, deferred and Starker. A
escrow as Phase I of a tax deferred exchange.delayed exchange is a tax deferred exchange
Important: The exchange agreement must be inwhere the Replacement Property is Received
place and signed by all parties prior to close ofafter the transfer of the Relinquished Property. In
escrow. Additionally, all earnest money depositsa delayed exchange the Exchanger must identify
should be placed with the title company.Step 5:all potential Replacement Properties within 45 days
Replacement Property Identification. After closingfrom the transfer of the Relinquished Property
escrow for the sale of the Relinquished Property,and the Exchanger must Receive all Replacement
the Exchanger must identify all ReplacementProperties within 180 days or the due date of the
Property within 45 days from day after close ofExchanger's tax return whichever occurs
escrow.Step 6: Contracting for the Replacementfirst.Like-Kind Property: Refers to the nature of
Property. After closing on the Relinquishedthe property the Exchanger gives up or receives
Property the Exchanger has 180 days to acquireas part of the same tax deferred exchange
the Replacement Property. With the help of his ortransaction. In order to qualify as like kind the
her agent the Exchanger enters into contract toproperty given up or received must be held for
purchase the Replacement Property from theproductive use in a trade or business or held for
Seller. In the contract to purchase the agentinvestment to qualify as like-kind.Realized Gain:
discloses the Exchanger's intent to complete theRefers to a gain that is not necessarily taxed. In a
exchange and obtains the Seller's cooperation.Stepsuccessful exchange the gain is realized but not
7: Open escrow for the Replacement Property.recognized and therefore not taxed.Recognized
The Facilitator prepares the Phase II ExchangeGain: Refers to gain which is subject to tax. When
Agreement and coordinates with the Replacementsomeone disposes of property at a gain or profit
Property Escrow holder. The funds held in trustin a taxable transfer such as a sale, the gain is
by the Facilitator are placed in escrow and thenot only realized, but recognized and subject to
Replacement Property is purchased by thetax.Relinquished Property: The property given up
Facilitator from the seller. The Facilitator thenby the exchange to start the 1031 exchange
transfers the Replacement Property to thetransaction. This property usually passes through
Exchanger and the transaction is closed as Phasean accommodator before transferring to the
II of a delayed exchange.Identification ofultimate Buyer.Reverse Exchange: An exchange
Replacement PropertyRegardless of the numberwhere the Exchange acquires or gains control of
of relinquished properties transferred by thethe Replacement Property before disposing of the
Exchanger as part of the same exchange, theRelinquished Property.Simultaneous Exchange: Also
maximum number of replacement properties thatreferred to as a concurrent exchange. A
the Exchanger can identify is as follows:3 Propertysimultaneous exchange is an exchange transaction
Rule: Three properties without regard to the fairwhere the Exchanger transfers out of the
market values of the replacementRelinquished Property and Receives the
properties.Or200 Percent Rule: Any number ofReplacement Property at the same time.Transfer
properties as long as their aggregate fair marketTax: A tax usually assessed by a city or county
value as of the end of the identification periodon the transfer of property. It may be based on
does not exceed 200 percent of the aggregateequity or value. When structuring a multi-party
fair market value of all the relinquished propertiesexchange an exchange agreement will usually call
as of the date the relinquished properties werefor direct deeding to eliminate additional transfer
transferred by the Exchanger.Exception95 Percenttax.April 15thA taxpayer must identify
Rule: Any number of replacement propertiesreplacement property within 45 days after the
identified before the end of the identificationtransfer of the relinquished property, and acquire
period and received before the end of thethe replacement property within the earlier of 180
exchange period, but only if the Exchangerdays of the relinquished property closing, or the
receives before the end of the exchange perioddue date of the taxpayer's tax return.
identified replacement property the fair marketThis means that 1031 escrows that close after
value of which is at least 95 percent of theOct. 18 will not have the full 180 days to acquire
aggregate fair market value of all identifiedthe replacement property unless the taxpayer
replacement properties.Glossary offiles an extension.Contact your CPA or tax
TermsAccommodator: A principal involved in theattorney for advise.By Neda Dabestani-Ryba
exchange transaction who agrees to assist thePrudential Carruthers REALTORSNeda
exchanger to effect a tax-deferred exchange.Dabestani-Ryba is a licensed Realtor in Maryland.
Same as Facilitator orShe is a member of the President's Circle of Top
intermediary.Accommodating Party: In anReal Estate Professionals. She can be reached at
exchange of properties there is always a person(800) 536-3806 or visit her website for more
or entity that steps in to accommodate orinformation:
facilitate the exchange transaction. Depending onPrudential Carruthers REALTORS is an
how the transaction is structured, theindependently owned and operated member of
accommodating party may incur additional liabilityPrudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential
in their efforts to assist in theFinancial company.
exchange.Acquisition Property: Replacement