What a Lender Should Know About a 1031 Exchange

Recently I spoke with a mortgage office about 1031 exchange basics and the circumstances where they would typically see one. Here’s a quick read for those new and old to the mortgage industry.

1031 Exchange Basics

Who: Individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations both domestic and foreign are eligible for the tax deferral.

What: Real and personal property held for an investment or for use in a business are eligible for 1031 consideration. Property is sold and replaced. Real property can be replaced with any kind of real property while personal property must be replaced with like-kind personal property. U.S. for U.S. based property while international is replaced with international property.

Why: A 1031 exchange enables the titleholder to defer federal and state capital gains and recaptured depreciation taxes representing upwards of 40% upon sale of the old property.

When: The tax deferred exchange must be signed prior to or at the closing of the first property. The Exchangor must complete their tax deferred within 180 calendar days post the first closing.

How: The use of a qualified intermediary is required to effect a 1031 exchange, except in a two party or “pure” exchange. Given the moderate intermediary fee, it is well worth an accommodator facilitate the exchange.

Forward and Reverse 1031 Exchange

There are two types of exchanges a forward and a reverse. Forward exchanges are when the old or relinquished property is sold first followed by the acquisition of the replacement property. In a reverse, the replacement property is purchased first, with 180 calendar days to sell the old property.

Here’s where you come into the transaction. The Exchangor needs to acquire the replacement property first. In a reverse 1031 exchange, the Exchangor is not allowed to own both the new and the old at the same time. The qualified intermediary creates an Exchange Accommodator Titleholder (EAT) in the form of a single member limited liability company to take title to either the new or the old property for the duration of the 1031 exchange.

If the EAT takes title to the new property that the Exchangor is financing with you, the EAT signs a non recourse note, guaranteed by the Exchangor. Payments continue as normal with the EAT temporarily on title. The Exchangor signs a triple net lease with the EAT to cover insurance, taxes and expenses of renting the property. Once the old property is sold, title for the new property is transferred to the Exchangor.

If the EAT takes title to the old property, the new property financing continues as normal. With the EAT on title to the old property, mortgage payments continue to be paid by the Exchangor. The property is marketed and sold with the Exchangor signing the settlement statement under “Read and Approved” while the EAT signs as the Seller. The 1099 bears the name and address of the Exchangor.

If the old property fails to sell, the property parked with the EAT is conveyed to the Exchangor by the 180th calendar day.

Many of my referrals come from mortgage brokers seeking a seasoned qualified intermediary to accommodate reverse 1031 exchanges. If you have a question, call us at 850.496.0090 or

If you would like a tri fold semi glossy brochure with Atlas 1031 business cards for your office, send me a note and thirty will be sent including the plastic brochure holder.

Experience matters.

New Hampshire SB 483 and 1031 Exchange

Recently, the New Hampshire Governor signed Senate Bill 483 into state law. This is a significant event in the 1031 exchange world especially as states look for revenue generating sources.

“The new law amends prior law which would deprive taxpayers Section 1031 tax deferral on a state level if they purchased replacement property in the name of a new entity, notwithstanding that the acquiring entity was a disregarded entity. The typical situation would be that in which a taxpayer was required by a lender or TIC sponsor to acquire a replacement property in the name of a new single member LLC. The State of New Hampshire began disallowing exchange treatment on those transactions in 2008 and began to audit previously closed transactions as far back as 2004, without notice either to taxpayers or to the professionals in the industry.

The new law makes it clear that exchange treatment will not be affected by taking title in the new entity as long as the entity is a single member LLC, revocable trust or other entity which is disregarded for federal income tax purposes. The amendment eliminates the “claw back” efforts to 2004.” Provided by the Federation of Exchange Accommodators.

For New Hampshire the bill removes a tax liability that otherwise made 1031 reverse exchanges a non starter. Single member limited liability companies are frequently used to take title to either the new or old property in a reverse 1031 exchange.

What do you think about the New Hampshire state law?

New Hampshire SB 483 and 1031 Exchange

Recently, the New Hampshire Governor signed Senate Bill 483 into state law. This is a significant event in the 1031 exchange world especially as states look for revenue generating sources.

“The new law amends prior law which would deprive taxpayers Section 1031 tax deferral on a state level if they purchased replacement property in the name of a new entity, notwithstanding that the acquiring entity was a disregarded entity. The typical situation would be that in which a taxpayer was required by a lender or TIC sponsor to acquire a replacement property in the name of a new single member LLC. The State of New Hampshire began disallowing exchange treatment on those transactions in 2008 and began to audit previously closed transactions as far back as 2004, without notice either to taxpayers or to the professionals in the industry.

The new law makes it clear that exchange treatment will not be affected by taking title in the new entity as long as the entity is a single member LLC, revocable trust or other entity which is disregarded for federal income tax purposes. The amendment eliminates the “claw back” efforts to 2004.” Provided by the Federation of Exchange Accommodators.

For New Hampshire the bill removes a tax liability that otherwise made 1031 reverse exchanges a non starter. Single member limited liability companies are frequently used to take title to either the new or old property in a reverse 1031 exchange.

What do you think about the New Hampshire state law?

What a Lender Should Know About a 1031 Exchange

Recently I spoke with a mortgage office about 1031 exchange basics and the circumstances where they would typically see one. Here’s a quick read for those new and old to the mortgage industry.

1031 Exchange Basics

Who: Individuals, trusts, partnerships, corporations both domestic and foreign are eligible for the tax deferral.

What: Real and personal property held for an investment or for use in a business are eligible for 1031 consideration. Property is sold and replaced. Real property can be replaced with any kind of real property while personal property must be replaced with like-kind personal property. U.S. for U.S. based property while international is replaced with international property.

Why: A 1031 exchange enables the titleholder to defer federal and state capital gains and recaptured depreciation taxes representing upwards of 40% upon sale of the old property.

When: The tax deferred exchange must be signed prior to or at the closing of the first property. The Exchangor must complete their tax deferred within 180 calendar days post the first closing.

How: The use of a qualified intermediary is required to effect a 1031 exchange, except in a two party or “pure” exchange. Given the moderate intermediary fee, it is well worth an accommodator facilitate the exchange.

Forward and Reverse 1031 Exchange

There are two types of exchanges a forward and a reverse. Forward exchanges are when the old or relinquished property is sold first followed by the acquisition of the replacement property. In a reverse, the replacement property is purchased first, with 180 calendar days to sell the old property.

Here’s where you come into the transaction. The Exchangor needs to acquire the replacement property first. In a reverse 1031 exchange, the Exchangor is not allowed to own both the new and the old at the same time. The qualified intermediary creates an Exchange Accommodator Titleholder (EAT) in the form of a single member limited liability company to take title to either the new or the old property for the duration of the 1031 exchange.

If the EAT takes title to the new property that the Exchangor is financing with you, the EAT signs a non recourse note, guaranteed by the Exchangor. Payments continue as normal with the EAT temporarily on title. The Exchangor signs a triple net lease with the EAT to cover insurance, taxes and expenses of renting the property. Once the old property is sold, title for the new property is transferred to the Exchangor.

If the EAT takes title to the old property, the new property financing continues as normal. With the EAT on title to the old property, mortgage payments continue to be paid by the Exchangor. The property is marketed and sold with the Exchangor signing the settlement statement under “Read and Approved” while the EAT signs as the Seller. The 1099 bears the name and address of the Exchangor.

If the old property fails to sell, the property parked with the EAT is conveyed to the Exchangor by the 180th calendar day.

Many of my referrals come from mortgage brokers seeking a seasoned qualified intermediary to accommodate reverse 1031 exchanges. If you have a question, call us at 800-227-1031 or if you would like a tri fold semi glossy brochure with Atlas 1031 business cards for your office, send me a note and thirty will be sent including the plastic brochure holder.

Experience matters.

Beyond 180 Days in a Reverse 1031 Exchange

Recently, I was asked to consider accommodating a Non Safe Harbor reverse 1031 exchange. This type of 1031 exchange is used when the improvements or construction requires greater than 180 calendar days.

Reverse 1031 Exchange

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Revenue Procedure 2000-37 recognizes reverse 1031 exchanges within the Safe Harbor of 180 calendar days and outside the Safe Harbor of 180 calendar days. The Safe Harbor means the Service will not challenge the treatment of the Exchange Accommodator Titleholder (EAT) as the beneficial owner of the replacement property. The EAT is an IRS requirement used to temporarily take title to or park the property under construction in a construction or leasehold improvement 1031 exchange. An EAT is typically a single member limited liability company (smllc) with the sole member, a parent company independent from the Qualified Intermediary.

Safe Harbor 1031 exchanges represent the majority of reverse exchanges. So why are Non Safe Harbor reverse 1031 exchanges not more popular?

IRS Non Safe Harbor Requirements

The challenge and expense is to demonstrate the EAT has adequate benefits and burdens to support the Service’s requirement for the EAT to be treated as the owner for Federal tax purposes. Eight critieria establish whether the EAT has sufficient benefits and burdens:

  1. whether legal title passes to the purchaser
  2. whether the parties treat the transaction as a sale
  3. whether the purchaser acquires an equity interest in the property
  4. whether the sales contract creates an obligation on the part of the seller to execute and deliver a deed, and an obligation of the purchaser on the purchaser to make payments
  5. whether the purchaser is vested with the right of possession
  6. whether the purhaser pays income and property taxes
  7. whether the purchaser bears the risk of economic loss or physical damage, and
  8. whether the purchaser receives a profit from the operation, retention and sale of the property.

See Grodt & McKay Realty, Inc. v. Commissioner, 77 T.C. 1221, at 1237-38 (1981).

Conclusion

Non Safe Harbor reverse 1031 exchanges are accomplished given the EAT bears the economic risk of loss and an opportunity for profit. This type of reverse exchange is expensive and not for the risk averse. Adequate planning is required inclusive of a long term lease with lessee purchase option and fair market rent.

To review your transaction and receive exchange tips, allow us to call by first completing the information once clicking on the button below.

Note: The picture above is of the Arthur Revenel Jr. Bridge in Charleston, South Carolina. Home to the annual 10K Cooper River Bridge Run held in early April. I ran it in 2008 with thirty thousand others in just over an hour.

Reverse 1031 Exchange Planning

In preparation for an extensive reverse exchange, Josh Rothstein spoke for hours with Atlas 1031’s Andy Gustafson. Josh’s father also participated in the calls to discuss the steps of a multi property reverse exchange. Josh’s grandmother was selling an interest in a commercial property located in Los Angeles County, California. The replacement properties are single family homes needing repair and refurbishment in Texas.

Over the course of several weekends we discussed the steps of a reverse improvement exchange, how to acquire bank owned properties and once acquired, the weekly process of approving contractor invoices and making payments from the proceeds of the sale. One of Josh’s biggest challenges is to identify the multiple replacement properties along with an outline of intended improvements by the 45th calendar day post closing on the commercial property.

“Andy’s input was remarkable. He guided us through a maize of 1031 related regulations with clarity and confidence. We had so many questions that the final solution needed to be flexible to work for all parties. Often, I would have notes from our calls and come back with related questions for further clarification. When I do this again, I will engage Andy and Atlas 1031 Exchange as our Qualified Intermediary. Call Andy for my phone number and I will be happy to share why hands down, Atlas 1031 is your #1 accommodator solution.”

Joshua Rothstein
Los Angeles, California