Who Should you Identify Your Property To in a 1031 Exchange?

Typically, taxpayers conducting 1031 exchanges will send their completed and signed 1031 replacement property identification form to their qualified intermediary. That is the norm in the industry, however, under the Treasury Regulations, a taxpayer can technically identify to:

  1. The person that is obligated to transfer the replacement property to the taxpayer (such as the seller of the Replacement Property if you have signed a purchase agreement to buy the replacement property);

  2. Any other person involved in the exchange other than the taxpayer or a disqualified person.

A Word of Warning

Your real estate agent, attorney or accountant may be involved in your exchange, but these people are probably disqualified because they are acting as your agent or employee. Also people that you are “related” to you by familial relation or business relationships [set out in IRC Section 267(b) or 707(b)] such as business partners are also disqualified.

If there is a title company or escrow company involved in your exchange, that title company or escrow company could theoretically be sent your 1031 replacement property identification form, and they likely would not be considered to be your agent, so that could be sufficient.  However, the better practice is to send the identification to your qualified intermediary. 

  • Start Your 1031 Exchange: If you have questions about 1031 exchanges, feel free to call me at 612-643-1031.

Defer the tax. Maximize your gain.

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