Frequently Asked Questions About 1031 Exchanges

Here you'll find answers to the most commonly 1031 exchange questions. Questions are divided into sections. Click on any question to see its answer.

Exchange Types

1. WHAT IS A 1031 EXCHANGE?
Effectively, Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 exchanges allow investors to sell property and reinvest the proceeds in another property without having to pay taxes that would otherwise be owed on recognized gain from sale. The payment of such capital gains tax is deferred, representing only a potential tax which is not owed unless and until the replacement property is sold in a subsequent taxable transaction. The taxes may, in some cases, be avoided all together, for example if the replacement property passes through an estate and its basis is stepped up to the market value at the time of death.

Section 1031 of the IRC provides that no gain or loss is recognized if property "held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment" is traded solely for other "like-kind" property which also is to be held for investment or used in a trade or business. The essence of such a trade is a reciprocal and interdependent transfer of one property for another, as opposed to a simple sale and repurchase.

2. WHAT ARE THE MECHANICS OF A 1031 EXCHANGE?
While transactions may vary, the basic Xchange Solutions exchange usually proceeds like this:

1. The seller ("exchanger") of the property to be exchanged, ("relinquished property"), finds a buyer to purchase his/her property. The Exchanger includes specific "intent and cooperation" language in the purchase contract: the exchanger expresses intent to exchange and the buyer expresses cooperation in signing any necessary and appropriate documents to accomplish the exchange.
2. The exchanger and Xchange Solutions ("intermediary") enter into an Exchange Agreement and an Assignment and Substitution Agreement which provide that:
   (a) The intermediary is substituted into the purchase contract (and escrow instructions, if applicable) as the seller.
   (b) The exchanger conveys the relinquished property to the intermediary, and the intermediary immediately conveys the relinquished property to the buyer by direct deed from the exchanger.
   (c) The proceeds from the exchange of the relinquished property are held in a Qualified Escrow Account.
   (d) The exchanger identifies in writing the property they wish to acquire ("replacement property") in exchange for the relinquished property.
   (e) The intermediary is substituted into the purchase contract (and escrow instructions, if applicable) as the buyer.
   (f) The intermediary, using the funds held on account, acquires the replacement property, and immediately conveys the replacement property to the exchanger by direct deed from the seller of the replacement property to the exchanger.
   

1. A guaranty of escrow funds by a national title company.
2. Letters of credit are issued by the institution holding exchange funds.
3. Funds are held in a restricted, protected, joint-signature account at a bank.

3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SIMULTANEOUS AND A DELAYED EXCHANGE?
Simultaneous exchange: you convey the title to the relinquished property concurrent with and just before receiving the replacement property.

Delayed exchange (also called a "Starker" or "deferred" exchange), you convey title to the relinquished property up to 180 days before acquiring title to the replacement property.

Previously the IRS held that qualifying exchanges must be simultaneous. Delayed exchanges were sanctioned by court action in the landmark case Starker v. United States in 1979. In response to Starker, Congress formally approved delayed exchanges by way of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, which added the statutory 45 day identification and 180 day closing time-frames. With the new Final Regulations for Delayed Exchanges issued in June of 1991, exchanges adhering to the safe harbors defined therein are perhaps better able to withstand audit than are simultaneous transactions.

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4. WHAT IS A REVERSE EXCHANGE?
Reverse Exchanges ("Reverse Starker") the exchanger acquires the replacement property before conveying the relinquished property. These are used when individuals wish to exchange property they own for property which must be purchased prior to the sale of the relinquished property.

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5. WHAT IS A "BUILD-TO-SUIT" OR "CONSTRUCTION" EXCHANGE?
"Construction" or improvement exchanges are for replacement property to be built. The replacement property is built-to-suit, or is further improved or altered, etc., to the specifications of the exchanger. In a construction exchange, Xchange Solutions usually acquires the replacement property, causes the improvements to be built during its ownership, and conveys the improved property to the exchanger. The building is done in accordance with the building specifications outlined in the purchase contract, and/or escrow instructions, prior to the substitution of Xchange Solutions as the buyer. The exchanger approves all work done before disbursement of funds by Xchange Solutions and exchangers may use the contractor of their choice as long as they are not a "disqualified" person under the Regulations.

While real property improvements need not be completed within the Exchange Period, the value of any portion of the improvements not completed within this time frame will not qualify as replacement property. The 180-day Exchange Period may effectively be extended by delaying the transfer of the relinquished property. This may allow some time for work to begin on construction of improvement on the replacement property. Property "to be produced" in a construction exchange, which is not completed within the 180-day Exchange Period, must be part of the standing structure to be considered real property under local law. A load of raw building material delivered to the building site, will not qualify as improved real property.

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6. WHAT IS A PARTIALLY TAX-DEFERRED EXCHANGE?
Partially tax-deferred exchanges are transactions in which some portion of the realized gain is recognized and some is not (i.e., you will pay some of the taxes due upon sale, but not all). Examples include: 1. Exchanges which are a combination of a 1031 exchange and an installment sale, with the loan documents payable to the exchanger; 2. Exchanges involving replacement property which is comprised of business or investment property and personal property. You can be fully tax-deferred on these exchanges if you do a multi-asset exchange, covering both the real and personal property; 3. Exchanges where a portion of the gain is taken in cash or other "boot" property, and the balance of the gain is invested in qualifying replacement property.

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7. WHY ARE MOST 1031 EXCHANGES STRUCTURED AS DELAYED EXCHANGES?
There are several important benefits of delayed exchanges:

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General

8. EXCHANGES SEEM SO COMPLICATED - CAN YOU SIMPLIFY THE RULES FOR ME?
Yes. Fully tax-deferred exchanges are effected when you properly identify and receive like-kind qualifying property of equal or greater value, subject to equal or greater debt, without any actual or constructive receipt of cash or other non like-kind property.

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9. WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF A 1031 EXCHANGE?
The primary advantage of a 1031 exchange is the preservation of investment capital by deferring payment of capital gains taxes. If you sell property (rather than exchanging it) you must pay taxes on any recognized gain. Capital gains tax is usually 20% to 25% of your gain, plus any state taxes. In a tax-deferred exchange, all your profit (both cash and carry-backs) may be used to acquire replacement property. Astute investors understand that 1031 exchanges allow greater net profits, the purchase of larger or additional investment property and a faster pyramiding of wealth.

Exchanges are a great tax planning mechanism allowing the deferment of taxes until the taxpayer is in a lower tax bracket or until a more beneficial tax rate exists.

Reasons for exchanging include: consolidation of several smaller properties into one larger investment to facilitate easier management or better cash flow, shifting investment from one area or locale to another to take advantage of local market opportunities, avoiding "deferred maintenance" by trading out the older properties into newer ones and diversification of investment portfolios by trading out of a single property, or type of property, into various investments or multiple properties.

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10. WHEN DO I HAVE TO PAY THE DEFERRED CAPITAL GAINS TAX?
Only if and when you elect to sell, as opposed to exchange, your replacement property.

11. WHY NOT LEAVE THE MONEY IN AN ESCROW ACCOUNT?
The Closing Agent acts upon instructions from all parties to the transaction. To leave the funds in the escrow or trust account requires the Exchanger to give such instructions to the Closing Agent. This control is called "constructive receipt" and invalidates the exchange.

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12. HOW ARE MY EXCHANGE FUNDS SECURED?
It is important that you know exactly where your exchange funds are deposited and how they are kept secure. We use the following measures to ensure the security of every exchange client’s funds:

(a) Your exchange funds are deposited in a segregated deposit account with an independent bank. One client’s exchange funds are never commingled or pooled with another client's funds.
(b) Your exchange funds are FDIC insured up to $250,000.
(c) Xchange Solutions deposits with several independent banks. The deposit bank used for your funds will be named in your exchange documents. We can set up an account with a bank of your choice; an additional fee will apply.
(d) Xchange Solutions deposit practices comply with Washington State's regulation RCW 19.310.040 (below), enacted into law June 7, 2012. All transactions which involve property in Washington state include a Qualified Escrow Agreement (QEA) along with our exchange agreement. This QEA agreement dictates that any disbursement from your deposit account requires your written authorization, authorization by a bank officer, and authorization of an officer of Xchange Solutions, Inc..

WASHINGTON STATE LAW, RCW 19.310.040, REQUIRES AN EXCHANGE FACILITATOR TO EITHER MAINTAIN A FIDELITY BOND IN AN AMOUNT OF NOT LESS THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS THAT PROTECTS CLIENTS AGAINST LOSSES CAUSED BY CRIMINAL ACTS OF THE EXCHANGE FACILITATOR OR HOLD ALL CLIENT FUNDS IN A QUALIFIED ESCROW ACCOUNT OR QUALIFIED TRUST.

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13. HOW MUCH IS THE FEE PAID TO DO THE EXCHANGE?
The fee varies depending on the complexity of the exchange but usually varies from $750 to $3,000.

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14. DO I NEED AN ATTORNEY OR A TAX ADVISOR?
Competent legal and/or accounting counsel is always recommended and should always be engaged. Tax laws are continually changing and I.R.C. Section 1031 exchanges are often extremely complex or highly technical, requiring guidance and answers to interpretive questions best left to competent legal or tax advisors. Xchange Solutions will assist you in procuring such help at your request.

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15. WHAT RESTRICTIONS APPLY TO EXCHANGES INVOLVING RELATED PARTIES?
The Revenue Reconciliation Act of the 1989 Legislative session effected a two year related party restriction wherein property conveyed to a related party is now subject to a two year holding period. If either the exchanger or the related party disposes of the acquired properties within the two year period, the non-recognition provisions will not apply and the exchanger must recognize gain as of the date the disqualifying disposition occurs. A related party is defined by cross reference to I.R.C. Section 267(b) which covers a wide range of relationships including family members, corporations, partnerships and trusts.

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16. CAN I EXCHANGE OUT OF MORE THAN ONE RELINQUISHED PROPERTY OR INTO MORE THAN ONE REPLACEMENT PROPERTY?
Yes. You can exchange one relinquished property into one or more replacement properties, and vice versa.

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17. MUST THE REPLACEMENT PROPERTY I RECEIVE IN THE EXCHANGE HAVE ANY MINIMUM VALUE?
Yes, for a full tax-deferred exchange. To defer all taxes otherwise due upon sale, the aggregate fair market value of all replacement property received must be equal to or greater than the aggregate fair market value of all relinquished property. If you trade down in either equity or debt, the difference may be taxable to the extent of your gain.

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18. CAN I FINANCE THE BUYER'S PURCHASE OF MY RELINQUISHED PROPERTY?
Yes, and you have several options should you choose to combine a 1031 exchange and an installment sale, with the loan documents payable to the Intermediary:

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19. DO I NEED ANY SPECIAL DOCUMENTS TO EFFECT AN I.R.C. SECTION 1031 EXCHANGE?
Yes. An exchange is not a sale. A special exchange agreement is needed. The buyer of the relinquished property must agree to cooperate in completing the I.R.C. Section 1031 exchange, as that buyer will actually be purchasing the relinquished property from the Intermediary. Conversely, the seller of the replacement property will be asked to cooperate as the Intermediary is substituted in as the buyer of the replacement property. Such cooperation is usually secured through "intent and cooperation" language placed in the real estate contract for both the relinquished property and the replacement property. In addition, a comprehensive exchange agreement, assignment and substitution forms and a qualified escrow agreement should be prepared in accordance with the provisions of I.R.C. Section 1031. Each exchange is unique, and other documents specific to each individual exchange may need to be prepared and executed.

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20. WHAT ARE THE GENERAL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR AN I.R.C. SECTION 1031 TAX-DEFERRED EXCHANGE SINCE THE FINAL REGULATIONS PUBLISHED IN JUNE OF 1991?

1. Both the property surrendered and the property received must be held for productive use in a trade or business, or for investment;
2. The property surrendered and the property received must be of "like-kind";
3. The exchange must be a reciprocal transfer of properties as distinguished from a sale and repurchase; There were other "rules" to come from the Final Regulations, such as Identification Period (45 days), Exchange Period (180 Days), form of Identification, Identification Rules, and the rule regarding the fact that you must acquire substantially what you have identified. There are other rules regarding restrictions on the funds on deposit from the exchange of the relinquished property. We will address these other rules as we proceed.

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Glossary

21. WHAT IS BOOT?
Not all property transferred in an exchange must be of like-kind. Other property or money can be transferred in addition, without invalidating the exchange. Such non like-kind property is called "boot". In general, boot is only taxable to the extent of the realized gain. Transactions involving boot must be very carefully structured so as not to invalidate the qualifying portion of the trade. The receipt of money or non like-kind property will cause the realized gain, if any, to be recognized to the extent of the sum of money and the fair market value of the property received. In other words, you have to pay taxes on any money or other non like-kind property you receive in an exchange. Properly configured exchanges are structured so as to eliminate or minimize boot.

22. WHAT IS "CONSTRUCTIVE RECEIPT?"
Constructive Receipt occurs in an exchange when a taxpayer has the unrestricted right to access cash or boot, whether or not such right is exercised, and regardless of whether there is actual or physical receipt of the cash or boot. Any cash or boot received by the exchanger will cause recognition of gain (i.e., taxable income).

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23. WHAT IS "DEBT RELIEF?"
"Debt Relief" or "Mortgage Relief" is any net reduction in the amount of liability on the replacement property after the exchange, as compared to the amount of liability on the relinquished property just prior to the exchange. It will be considered boot and will result in the recognition of gain unless offset by the payment of additional cash by the exchanger.

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24. WHAT IS "DIRECT DEEDING?"
Direct-deeding streamlines transactions allowing for easier and quicker closing. More importantly, direct-deeding typically saves considerable additional expense, such as escrow fees, document preparation charges and transfer taxes otherwise incurred in "sequentially-deeded" transactions. Direct-deeding eliminates, to a great degree, the problems currently associated with environmental clean-up, as it eliminates the need for anyone other than the proper purchaser to appear in the chain of title. It also eliminates the chance that liens, clouds or judgments will attach to the relinquished or acquisition properties to the extent that they are attached to any individual chosen to facilitate the exchange. As the final regulations fully sanction direct-deeding, it should be employed at every opportunity.

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25. WHAT IS "LIKE-KIND?"
The words "like-kind" refer to the nature or character of the property, not its grade or quality. For example, real property is not of like-kind to personal property because they are of a different nature and character. Conversely, vacant land, for example, is of like-kind to improved property as the two differ only in their grade/quality. Raw land, condominiums, single family residences, shopping centers, apartment buildings, farm and ranch land, commercial real estate, industrial property, second homes converted to investment property, and almost all other realty are of like-kind with respect to their intrinsic nature and character and may, therefore, be interchangeably exchange. With limited exceptions, any real estate meeting the above tests can be exchanged for any other real estate. In addition, the rules excepting incidental property from the identification requirements should not be construed as meaning such property will be considered like-kind realty. Remember, the final regulations for "Multi-Asset/Personal Property" exchanges provide for very narrow like-kind qualification of any non-realty business or investment property, which may be transferred together with real estate in your transactions. For example, any furniture, manufacturing or other equipment, autos, or art work, etc. transferred in addition to real estate is not like-kind to realty received as replacement property. The definition of realty is determined by each state in the United States, and any person wishing to exchange should determine the definition of realty according to the state or states where the relinquished and replacement properties are located.

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26. WHAT EXACTLY IS A SAFE HARBOR?
A Safe Harbor is a "suggestion" from the IRS. They are not substantive rules, but to the degree that auditing agents understand them, they will be applied as "Holy Writ". At this point in our outline, I would like to quote B. Wyckliffe Pattishall, Jr., President of Chicago Deferred Exchange Corporation, and one of the experts in America on the subject of tax-deferred exchanges: "The Deferred Exchange Regulations provide taxpayers with "safe harbors" which may be employed in structuring and securing both simultaneous and delayed tax-deferred exchanges. My purpose in what follows is to provide assistance in navigating the narrow channels created by the regulations through hazardous waters. The importance of staying within the channels is more critical today than prior to the issuance of regulatory guidance when a smattering of case law and a limited number of public rulings were the only channel markers. In the words of the Barker Court, 'At some point, the confluence of some sufficient number of deviations will bring about a taxable result.' The very existence of the safe harbors and bright line tests in the regulations create a burden on tax practitioners to make ever effort to structure exchanges within these guidelines, where the tax risk of the transaction can be minimized. Failure to meet the technical requirements of the safe harbors is likely to generate a number of malpractice claims in the future. The regulations provide practitioners with clear channels to safe harbors, but the sides of these channels, and you will dispose, sometimes magically, of the issues of agency, constructive receipt, the like-kind standard, and the exchange requirement. Venture outside the channels, and you invite disaster...practically speaking, auditing agents will probably disallow exchanges which do not meet the requirement of the safe harbors and leave the issue for resolution at the appellate conference. In fact, at the time of this writing (late 1994) auditing agents are recommending exchange transactions for litigation by the government where strict observance of the regulations is not apparent."

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27. THE SAFE HARBORS TO COME OUT OF THE FINAL I.R.C. SECTION 1031 REGULATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Non-Cash Security for Buyer's Performance:
   Mortgage or Deed of Trust
   Standby Letter of Credit
   Third Party Guarantee
2. Cash Security for Buyer's Performance:
   Qualified Escrow Qualified Trust
3. Qualified Intermediary
   The only Safe Harbor which also applies to a Simultaneous Exchange
4. Exchangers May Receive Interest After Completing The Exchange

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Identifying Property

28. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO THE IDENTIFICATION OF REPLACEMENT PROPERTY?
All replacement property to be acquired in the exchange must be "unambiguously described" by legal description, assessor's parcel number or tax map key or equivalent number, or address, distinguishable name, etc., and made in a written document executed by the exchanger and hand-delivered, mailed, telecopied or otherwise sent to a person involved in the exchange who is not a disqualified party - preferably the Intermediary. A single exception to the identification requirement is provided, which deems any replacement property actually acquired by the exchanger within the 45-day Identification Period to be duly identified property. You should document the sending and/or delivery of the identification letter and confirm their receipt. Every attempt should be made and reviewed for conformance and accuracy in advance of the last day of the Identification Period. A non-conforming identification sent by fax or mail and received by the Intermediary on the last day of an Identification Period which ends over a weekend, may at best be reviewed on the Monday following the expiration of the Identification Period. It would then be too late to make any required changes, resulting in an invalid exchange.

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29. HOW MANY PROPERTIES MAY BE IDENTIFIED AS REPLACEMENT PROPERTY?
One of the following three rules must be followed when identifying single, multiple or alternative replacement properties:

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30. MUST I RECEIVE ALL IDENTIFIED PROPERTIES?
Only if you have relied on the 95% Rule. In other words, you have identified more than three properties which aggregate more than 200% of the fair market value of the relinquished property. In such circumstances, the technical requirement is satisfied if you acquire 95% of the identified property. This rule, however, is very difficult to follow, as just one problem with one identified property could prevent you from acquiring 95% of all identified property.

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31. HOW DO I IDENTIFY REPLACEMENT PROPERTY TO BE PRODUCED IN A BUILD-TO-SUIT EXCHANGE?
The Code provides that property not yet in existence is properly identified if the underlying land (together with any existing improvements) is identified, and the improvements to be constructed are identified in "as much detail as is practicable at the time of the identification." Plans and construction contracts should be referenced in the identification, providing for such documents to be later attached in the event they are not available within the Identification Period.

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32. MUST MISCELLANEOUS PROPERTY TO BE RECEIVED IN THE EXCHANGE BE IDENTIFIED?
The Regulations provide that property which

(i) "is incidental to a larger item" and
(ii) "is typically transferred in standard commercial transactions" (appliances, etc.) and
(iii) "does not exceed 15% of the value of the larger item, need not be specifically and separately identified.

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33. MAY I REVOKE IDENTIFICATIONS?
Identifications may be revoked, if such revocations are made in a written document, signed by the exchanger, and sent to the Intermediary before the end of the Identification Period. If the original identification was made in an exchange agreement, it may be revoked by an amendment to the exchange agreement, signed by and sent to all parties to the exchange agreement.

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34. CAN THE IDENTIFIED REPLACEMENT PROPERTY BE MODIFIED OR ALTERED AFTER THE IDENTIFICATION PERIOD BUT BEFORE MY RECEIPT?
The replacement property received must be "substantially the same property" as that which was identified. While the rules for deferred exchanges appear to sanction exchanges in which 75% or more of any vacant land parcel identified is acquired, some confusion exists as to the application of this "rule". In a construction exchange, only "variations due to usual or typical production changes" are allowed. As a consequence, significant changes should not be made to property under construction, except within the Identification Period, during which time such identification can be revoked, amended and re-submitted.

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Intermediary

35. WHY DO I NEED AN INTERMEDIARY?
An Intermediary is required in all transactions other than those outlined below:

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36. WHAT IS A "QUALIFIED INTERMEDIARY?"
An Intermediary is that entity or person who:

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37. WHAT DOES A QUALIFIED INTERMEDIARY DO DURING AN EXCHANGE?
The Intermediary typically serves many functions during an exchange:

1. If the exchanger actually or "constructively" receives any or all of the proceeds of the sale of the relinquished property, the exchange will not be valid. (This rule would not apply to a percentage exchange, where the exchanger may receive the percentage of the sale proceeds which result from the percentage of the sale not included in the exchange.) In order to insulate the exchanger from such "constructive receipt", the Intermediary holds the proceeds of the sale of the relinquished property in a segregated, restricted account.
2. To qualify for tax deferment under I.R.C. Section 1031, exchanges must be pursuant to a written exchange agreement. Some intermediaries provide this documentation, precluding the exchanger's needs to engage separate legal counsel to prepare the exchange agreement. As significant additional costs are incurred if the exchanger must engage counsel to draft such documentations, XSI provides the exchange agreement and all other required exchange documents at no additional cost.
3. Tax-deferred exchanges must, in essence, constitute a reciprocal exchange of properties between two parties, notwithstanding the fact that there are almost always three, four or occasionally more than four parties participating in an exchange. An important role of the Intermediary is to become the exchanger's other party to the exchange. Technically, the exchanger is trading property with the Intermediary. This explains why the relinquished property is conveyed to the Intermediary first, and then to the ultimate buyer. Likewise, the replacement property is transferred first to the Intermediary and then to the exchanger.
4. Exchange transactions are often extremely complex. A good Intermediary helps explain, conform and manage all aspects of the transaction, facilitating document signatures, escrow closing and the timely cooperation and performance of the parties to the exchange.

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38. CAN ANYONE BE A QUALIFIED INTERMEDIARY?
No. "Disqualified Persons" may not be Qualified Intermediaries. With limited exceptions, a Disqualified Person is any party who has acted as your agent, employee, attorney, accountant, investment banker/broker, or real estate agent or broker within the two-year period ending on the date of the first transfer of any relinquished property. Also disqualified are the family members of the Disqualified Persons, as well as partnerships, corporations and other entities in which you, or your related party, own directly or indirectly, more than a 10% interest.

Example: Your attorney owns 11% of the stock in his law firm, and his wife owns her own Intermediary firm. You wish to use his wife's Intermediary firm as your Qualified Intermediary. If your attorney has done any work for you in the last two years, other than strictly I.R.C. Section 1031 tax-deferred work, his wife's firm is "disqualified" to act as your Qualified Intermediary. Conversely, if ten law firms each own 10% of a corporation organized to act as a Qualified Intermediary, you could use that Qualified Intermediary even though your law firm was one of the ten owners.

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Partnerships

39. CAN I EXCHANGE MY PARTNERSHIP INTEREST IN REAL ESTATE?
No, with extremely limited exception. After much confusion, the Internal Revenue Code was amended in 1984 to specifically prohibit the exchange of partnership interests. Similarly, the exclusion clarified the law that a partnership interest, whether general or limited, cannot be exchanged for an interest in real property without recognition of gain. Some highly technical and relatively complex structures have been employed in an attempt to legally circumvent the restrictions against exchanges of partnership interests. Skilled legal and/or accounting counsel must be engaged for such transactions.

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40. CAN I CONVERT MY PARTNERSHIP INTEREST INTO A TENANT-IN-COMMON OR SIMILAR INTEREST JUST BEFORE OR JUST AFTER MY EXCHANGE?
It is generally accepted that, if a partnership is dissolved and the partner's partnership interest are converted upon distribution into divided or undivided real property ownership interests, the partners may then be able to trade such real property interests under I.R.C. Section 1031, provided that the partnership dissolution and distribution occurs long enough before or after the exchange to satisfy the "held for investment" requirement. Such liquidation and/or conversion of partnership interest involves highly technical questions and favorable treatment of such transactions is by no means assured. Exchangers must secure qualified legal or accounting counsel before attempting these transactions.

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41. CAN MY PARTNERSHIP AS A WHOLE TRADE REAL ESTATE OWNED UNDER I.R.C. SECTION 1031?
Yes! Partnerships and corporations are legal entities and, as such, are not prohibited from exchanging partnership property (as opposed to a partner's partnership interest) under I.R.C. Section 1031. Remember, these transactions necessarily involve the entire partnership trading its real property interest.

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Property

42. WHAT KIND OF REAL ESTATE QUALIFIES FOR A 1031 EXCHANGE?
Generally, real property of "like-kind" which is not identified as condemned property (a 1033 exchange) or your personal residence (a 1034 exchange), and was not acquired for resale or considered inventory or dealer property may be traded under the I.R.C. Section 1031 exchange rules. The property relinquished in the exchange must have been either productively used in your trade or business, or held for investment, i.e., you must have effected a "qualified use" of the property. Likewise, it must be your intention as you acquire your replacement, to either hold that property for investment or use it for a business purpose.

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43. IS THERE ANY PROPERTY WHICH MAY NOT BE TRADED UNDER I.R.C. SECTION 1031?
Yes. The following property is specifically excluded under I.R.C. Section 1031 and therefore cannot be of "like-kind":

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44. HOW LONG MUST I HOLD PROPERTY RECEIVED IN AN EXCHANGE?
How long one must hold property in order to qualify for tax deferment under I.R.C. Section 1031 is unclear. While it is generally accepted that a one-year to two-year period may be sufficient, there is no statutory holding period. Although the IRS has taken the position that a transaction will not qualify under 1031 if a property acquired is immediately disposed of (particularly if such disposition is prearranged), conflicting precedents exist. Exchangers are well advised to use extreme care in structuring exchanges of property with short holding periods and quick resale.

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45. CAN FOREIGN PROPERTY BE EXCHANGED?
As a result of the Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1989, real property located within the United States and real property located outside of the United States are no longer of like-kind. However, foreign property may still be exchanged for other foreign property.

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46. CAN A LEASEHOLD PROPERTY BE EXCHANGED?
Special provisions apply to leasehold property. While owners of leasehold property do not possess a fee simple interest, a leasehold of 30 years or longer (including optional renewal periods) is deemed to be of like-kind to fee simple property. Leaseholds of less than 30 years duration may only be traded for other leasehold property with remaining lease terms of less than 30 years. Again, remember that optional renewal periods are included in determining whether a lease for a period of years is of like-kind.

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47. CAN I EXCHANGE MY PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE UNDER I.R.C. SECTION 1031?
No. Personal residences should be exchanged under the relatively less demanding provisions of I.R.C. Section 1034 and cannot be exchanged under I.R.C. Section 1031.

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48. WHAT ARE SOME OBVIOUS EXAMPLES OF PROPERTY THAT MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR EXCHANGE?
In addition to the non-qualifying property previously discussed, examples of property which probably will not meet the qualified use test are:

(a) Land which was acquired for the express purpose of subdivision and resale and only held long enough to effect such subdivision and resale;
(b) Homes held for sale by speculation builders, such as builder's inventory of unsold homes;
(c) Any transaction which constitutes a sale followed by a reinvestment in other property, whether or not the replacement property is considered to be like-kind, wherein the transfers are no reciprocal and interdependent, and are absent in an exchange agreement.

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