1031 Exchange Properties

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1031 Exchange – DOs and DON’Ts

There are many rules and regulations related to the 1031 exchange, but here are a handful of DOs and DON’Ts to keep in mind when navigating through this process.

DOs and DON’Ts

DO advanced planning for the exchange. Talk to your accountant, attorney, broker, financial planner, lender and Qualified Intermediary prior to processing a 1031 exchange.

DO NOT miss your identification and exchange deadlines. Failure to identify within the 45-day identification period or failure to acquire replacement property within the 180-day exchange period will disqualify the entire exchange resulting in the sale of the relinquished property being fully taxable. Reputable Intermediaries will not act on back-dated or late identifications.

DO keep in mind these three basic rules to qualify for complete tax deferral:

Receive only “like-kind” replacement property.
Use all proceeds from the relinquished property for purchasing the replacement property.
Make sure the debt on the replacement property is equal to or greater than the debt on the relinquished property.

(Exception: A reduction in debt can be offset with additional cash; however, a reduction in equity cannot be offset by increasing debt.)

DO NOT try doing a 1031 exchange using your attorney or CPA to hold title or funds. IRS regulation requires a Qualified Intermediary to properly complete an exchange.

DO attempt to sell before you purchase. Occasionally exchangers find the ideal replacement property before a buyer is found for the relinquished property. If this situation occurs, a “reverse” exchange (buying before selling) may be necessary.

DO NOT dissolve partnerships or change the manner of holding title during the exchange. A change in the Exchanger’s legal relationship with the property may jeopardize the exchange.

DO report the exchange using IRS form 8824 in the year the exchange was made.

DO NOT take personal control of any sale proceeds before the exchange is done. This voids the exchange and causes all sale proceeds to be immediately taxable.