Section 1031 Exchanges for Real Estate Investors

A Section 1031 exchange, named for the applicable section of the Internal Revenue Code (also known as a Starker Exchange, Tax Free Exchange, or Like-Kind exchange), allows an investor to defer all tax on the sale of real estate if the real estate is replaced with other real estate pursuant to a detailed set of rules.

The replacement property must be identified within 45 days of the sale of the relinquished property. (1) The replacement property must be purchased within 180 days of the sale of the relinquished property. (2) The replacement property must have a purchase price at least as great as the relinquished property, otherwise some tax will be recognized. (3) All of the cash proceeds from the sale of the relinquished property, less any debt repayment and expenses of the sale, must be reinvested in the replacement property. (4) All of the cash proceeds from the sale of the relinquished property must be held by a Qualified Intermediary, which is a person or institution with whom the investor has not recently conducted other business. The investor must not have any access to the cash while it is being held. (5) The titleholder of the relinquished property must be the same as the purchaser of the replacement property. (6) The sale or purchase of a partnership interest does not qualify for a Section 1031 exchange, except under a few limited set of circumstances. (7) The relinquished property cannot have been classified as inventory, such as condominiums built by the investor, or lots in a subdivision that was subdivided by the investor.

If these rules are followed, real estate investors can sell current real estate holdings and replace them with other properties. A Section 1031 transaction is an excellent way for a retiring real estate investor to convert actively managed properties into passive properties, such as triple net leased properties.

Posted by Peggy Mashburn on December 13, 2008 at 12:00 AM

About Peggy Mashburn
Peggy Mashburn is affliated with Beacon Realty Group, which is located in Rogersville, AL. For further assistance please use the contact information located on the right.




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