A 1031 exchange represents a solid strategy for deferring the capital gains and recaptured depreciation taxes when selling and replacing like-kind, real and personal property held for productive use in a trade, business or for investment. These tax deferrals, along with asset liquidity, are the core benefits of the 1031 exchange.
Reverse 1031 exchanges were officially recognized with Revenue Procedure 2000-37, providing a safe harbor for the Exchange Accommodator Titleholder (EAT) to park either the relinquished (old) or replacement property for up to 180 calendar days. Prior to this milestone, 1031 exchanges were either forward or simultaneous exchanges where the old property is closed before the new property is acquired. Simultaneous 1031 exchanges are those where the old and new properties are exchanged at one closing. Reverses provided flexibility to acquire the new property before selling the old.
1031 exchange rules apply to Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax deferred exchanges. A 1031 exchange allows resident or non-resident United States federal taxpayers to defer capital gains and recaptured deprecation taxes when exchanging real or personal property held for productive use in a trade, business or for investment for like-kind real or personal property held for productive use in a trade, business or for investment. The tax otherwise paid in a traditional sale is deferred indefinitely until the replacement property is sold or another 1031 exchange is initiated.
The benefits of a 1031 exchange have been well-documented by CPAs and financial advisors as a wealth building strategy for individuals, trusts, partnerships and corporations — both United States residents and non-resident foreigners. The core of the strategy is the deferred federal, state and recaptured depreciation taxes, enabling the taxpayer to cash in on, an indefinite interest free loan given like-kind replacement property of equal or greater value is acquired and strict 1031 exchange rules are followed.
A 1031 exchange enables a taxpayer, both United States resident and non-resident foreigner, to defer capital gains and recaptured depreciation taxes when exchanging real and personal held for productive use in a trade, business or for investment property for like-kind real and personal property. The tax deferral can represent upwards of 40 percent of the property’s sale price.
A 1031 exchange allows the taxpayer to defer the recognized gain or capital gains tax when the metal or coin is replaced with like-kind precious metals or coins within 180 calendar days of the sale. The 1031 tax deferral is available to all federal income taxpayers, whether a United States resident or non-resident alien. What differentiates a 1031 exchange from a sale are the supporting documents created by the Qualified Intermediary, adherence of 1031 exchange rules and the condition that the taxpayer does not receive, pledge, borrow or otherwise obtain the benefits of the Exchange Account before the end of the Exchange period.