Under normal circumstances, when you sell a property you have to pay tax on the gain. Gain is caused by taking depreciation deductions for tax purposes or by the property appreciating in value during its ownership.

A Section 1031 tax deferred exchange, named for the Internal Revenue Code Section it refers to (also known as a Starker Exchange, Tax Free Exchange or Like-Kind exchange), allows an exception to the real estate capital gains tax. When you sell your business or investment real estate, replace it with a different business or investment property, and complete a 1031 exchange, you can defer payment of the capital gains tax normally required on these sales. You can also avoid capital gains tax on rental property capital gains tax.

If your plans include using the money from the sale of a business or investment property to buy more of the same, a 1031 real estate exchange provides greater proceeds for your next investment--more than you could gain through the re-investment of after-tax proceeds.

A 1031 and the Capital Gain tax rule is not a tax loophole. It is a section of the Internal Revenue Code, written by Congress, to allow anyone who meets all the requirements to sell their property and defer paying taxes on the gain.

Understanding the Capital Gains Tax Rule and Avoiding the Capital Gains Tax

All relinquished (old) and replacement (new) property must be vacant land, rental property or property used for trade, business or investment. The property must be held for at least a year and a day to qualify for a 1031 Exchange. If the properties meet these requirements, you may exchange any real estate for any other type of real estate.

• You cannot have actual or constructive control of any of the proceeds received from the sale of the old property. By law, all money is held by a Qualified Intermediary (also referred to as an Accommodator or Facilitator). You cannot have an associate or employee, your attorney, broker or CPA hold the proceeds, nor can you leave the proceeds in escrow until the second property is purchased
• You have 45 days from the date of closing on the old property to identify a list of properties, from which you will purchase the new property.
• From the date of closing, you have 180 days to close on one or more of the properties from your 45-day list.
• The titleholder on the old property must be the same titleholder on the new property.

For a consultation please contact:

Robert Petrich, Commercial Real Estate Specialist
Cell Phone: 708.917.3333
Fax: 708.425.2699
E-Mail:bob@brookshireinvestments.com