Explaining The 1031 Identification Period & Exchange Period

There are two timelines that must be followed for a 1031 exchange to be successful.

Identification Period

This is the period during which the party selling the property must identify other replacement properties that he proposes to buy. It is scheduled as 45 days from the day of selling the relinquished property. The 45 days timeline has to be followed under any and every circumstances and is not extendable even if the 45th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or any legal holiday.

Exchange Period

This is the period within which the person who has sold the relinquished property must receive the replacement property. It ends at 180 days after the date on which the person transfers the property relinquished or the due date for the person's tax return for the taxable year in which the transfer of the relinquished property occurred. According to 1031 exchange rule about timelines this 180 day timeline has to be adhered to under any circumstances and is not extendable even if the 180th day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or any legal holiday.

Property Exchanges Under Section 1031

Under section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code, any US taxpayer is able to defer their capital gains taxes on the sale of real estate, provided they meet the requirements. The best way to ensure that you meet all of the necessary requirements is to consult with a 1031 exchange facilitator. At CPEC1031, our intermediaries have two decades of experience working with taxpayers on their exchanges. Contact us today to learn more about our services and get your exchange up and running!

• 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.

© 2018 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

Can You Exchange US Property for Foreign Property Using Section 1031?

The rules on foreign exchanges are set out in I.R.C. Section 1031(h).

Remember that in order to qualify for tax deferral, the exchange must be of like-kind property. In 1031(h) Congress made it so property located in the United States and property located outside the United States are NOT considered to be like kind.

1031 Exchanges Involving US Territories

The next Logical Question is what about US Territories such as: Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Can You exchange US Property for property in the US Territories?

According to Private Letter Ruling 200040017, the answer appears to be a limited YES but the authority is ONLY to the U.S. Virgin Islands and ONLY if the USVI Replacement Property is held to produce income.  Guam and Puerto Rico may not qualify because the IRS has not ruled on specifically on them.  The Internal Revenue Code only defines the "United States" to include states and the District of Columbia.

It seems strange, but the Internal Revenue Service has ruled that property located in the U.S. Virgin Islands qualifies for 1031 like-kind exchange treatment, provided it produces income for U.S. citizens and has left out Guam and Puerto Rico.

Foreign to Foreign 1031 Exchanges (Involving Only Non US property)

Remember US taxpayers can be taxed on income earned anywhere even income earned outside of the US.

One interesting point to keep in mind is that foreign property can be exchanged for other foreign property so theoretically, a US tax payer could exchange Non-US property for other Non-US property.  Any US taxpayer’s investing in other counties who sells foreign property held for investment or for use in a trade or business and who then buys other like-kind foreign property that’s also held for a qualifying purpose, should be aware that foreign property can be considered to be of like-kind to other foreign property.  So yes You Can Exchange foreign property of for other foreign property!

• 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.

© 2018 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

Unexpected Recapture In a 1031 Exchange

Normally in a 1031 exchange, you defer all of your capital gains (both from appreciation in value and depreciation deductions taken over the years) by acquiring a like-kind replacement of equal of more value; and equal of more equity.

In Tax Law Nobody Wants Surprises

There are some situations when the relinquished property will have some tax complications (snakes in the grass) that could cause you to unexpectedly recognize gain.  To make matters worse, the surprise gains could be characterized as ordinary income and taxed at higher rates than mere capital gains rates.

What Do You Need to Check Out?

Here are some things to check out with your CPA, accountant or tax attorney:

Tax Credits

When Congress wants to encourage investors to do something they provide tax incentives.  One of the most effective tax incentive is to offer tax credits.  Tax credits are more valuable than mere deductions because they off-set your tax liability dollar-for-dollar. The problem is that tax credits on your relinquished property for either rehabilitation expenditures under Section 47; or from low income housing under Section 42 may be recaptured. Both of these Tax Code Sections allow for recapture of the amount of the tax credits. It is always prudent to check with your accountant BEFORE you sell just to make sure you do not have any problems with old tax credits.

Special Recapture for Rapid Deprecation

If you were able to take rapid deprecation under Section 179 or you qualified for bonus deprecation for investment in the Gulf Opportunity (GO) Zone areas impacted by hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, then you need to check into the recapture provisions of those specific programs if your property ceases to be Qualified GO Zone Property.

Section 1245 Gain

Cost segregation engineering studies are often used by property owner to peel out those components of a piece of real estate that can be more rapidly deprecated.  A typical commercial building is deprecated over 39 years.  That is a long deprecation schedule.  A multi-family apartment building can be deprecated over 27.5 years.  Certain components of real-estate can be re-classified and more rapidly deprecated over a 5..10..15 year schedule. Those components can cause you to have recapture, unless you are mindful and when you buy your replacement property you buy qualifying property that matches up component for component with those Cost Segregation properties that were more rapidly deprecated.

•  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.

© 2018 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

Can I Do a 1031 Exchange on My Contract for Deed Balloon Payoff?

Contract Deeds or Executor Contracts, basically installment sales, create a lot of questions. Here is one that I get a lot. I sold my property ten years ago on an installment sale, a Contract for Deed. And now, I am being paid off, and I am getting this balloon payment from the buyer. Question: Can I do a 1031 Exchange on this influx of cash that I am receiving?

Understand the Timing – When Did the Sale Take Place

If you look at this transaction, it may appear that the sale is now occurring because when the balloon payment is given to the vendor, the deed will be delivered to the vendee. So, it feels like perhaps the sale is occurring now. But, for Federal Tax purposes, the sale probably occurred ten years ago when the Contract for Deed or the installment sale was entered into.

Who is Really the Owner of the Property

When a Contract for Deed is given, the purchaser or vendee is considered to be the equitable owner of the property. They probably bear the risk of loss if the property is destroyed. They probably bear the burden of paying the property taxes to the local property tax assessor. And, under the contract, they probably enjoy the possession, the exclusive use of the property. So, for Federal Tax Purposes, the Contract for Deed vendee probably acquired the property way back when the initial Contract for Deed was entered into. Now, when this influx is coming in, we are not really selling the property anymore, we are just receiving payoff like any other lender who has loaned money to a purchaser.

Section 1031 Does Not Apply to "Evidence of Indebtedness"

When a Contract for Deed vendor holds that legal title, they don't necessarily own the property anymore. They really own an enforcement mechanism. In the event of a default under the Contract for Deed, they can swoop in and cancel the Contract for Deed. This is an enforcement mechanism much like a mortgagee's interest or bank's interest in a mortgaged property. They are really a creditor, not so much a property owner for Federal Tax Purposes.

Your Go-To 1031 Resource

Like-kind exchanges allow taxpayers to defer capital gains taxes when selling investment real estate. CPEC1031 is your go-to source for all things related to 1031 exchanges. Our qualified intermediaries have decades of experience working on 1031 exchanges of all sorts. We can answer all of your questions, advise you on your replacement properties, and prepare your 1031 exchange documents so you are ready for the closing table. Contact us today at our downtown Minneapolis office to discuss your 1031 exchange.

• 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.

© 2018 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved

Mergers, Acquisitions & 1031 Exchanges

Many people conducting mergers, acquisitions and the purchase and sale of businesses have so many things in the air to keep track of, that they often lose sight of the important tax efficiencies under section 1031.

The Most Tax Efficient Way to Sell Business Property

Remember, if we convert a transaction from a sale to an exchange, under section 1031, we can defer all the taxes on the disposition of like kind property indefinitely. The fundamental requirements of section 1031 are as follows: The relinquished property that is given up must have been held for investment or for use in a trade or business, it must be exchanged for like-kind property that must also be held for an investment or for use in a trade or business. By characterizing the transaction as an exchange, as opposed to a sale, we get to defer or have the gain go unrecognized indefinitely.

1031 Exchange Rules

Imagine we are selling a restaurant chain. Each of those restaurants sits on real estate and have some buildings or improvements that are considered real estate. Real estate is very easy to implement a 1031 exchange on. As a matter of fact, when most people think of 1031 exchanges, they often think of commercial real estate because commercial real estate is frequently exchanged as opposed to sold.

Some Property will Not Qualify for 1031 Exchanges or Deferral of Taxes

Remember that the good will of one business will never be considered like-kind to another business’s good will. This comes out of the treasury regulations [1.1031(a)-2(c)], so unfortunately part of the sale of the business will likely be subject to some tax. It’s a good idea to set out in your asset purchase and sale agreement, some value for good will. Attribute your value to it, pay your taxes on it; but as to the other components, the real estate, you want to layer in a 1031 exchange to get the most tax efficient disposition of the business as a whole.

Like-Kind Exchange Services

At CPEC1031, our like-kind exchange intermediaries have over two decades of experience facilitating 1031 exchanges for clients. We can help you through every stage of your 1031 exchange by answering your questions, preparing your documents, and making everything as easy as possible for you. Get help with your like-kind exchange today by contacting our qualified intermediaries at our Minneapolis office.

• 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.

© 2018 Copyright Jeffrey R. Peterson All Rights Reserved