1031 Exchange | Exchange or Pay Uncle Sam? | FAQ's about 1031 Exchange General FAQ Can I add an additional investor in the new piece of property I am acquiring? Yes, but he must be an Investor and not a partner. How much time do I have? You will have 45 days from the day you close your relinquished property (escrow) to identify the candidate(s) you wish to acquire, this is known as the Identification Period. You will then have an additional 135 days in which to close your replacement property purchase. You cannot exceed the maximum 180-day period for the exchange to take place. This is known as the Exchange Period. The IRS has absolutely no forgiveness for missed time deadlines for any reason. Can I build on property I already own? Not with deferred tax dollars. Can I use a Build to Suit Exchange as a replacement property? Yes, but you must take title within 180 days. How will this affect my Estate Planning? If you hold the exchanged property until death, your heirs receive a stepped up basis to fair market value, and the capital gain is never taxed. Which means the income taxes that were deferred by you now become permanently tax-free to your heirs. If I want to use a 1031 Exchange, but my co-owner wants to cash out and take his money, is that allowed? Yes, however, his portion will be subjected to the tax on any profit/gain. Partnership interests cannot be used as exchanges. Can I exchange my property for a property in another state? Yes, anywhere in the U.S.A. What types of real estate qualify for a 1031 Exchange? - Vacant Land - Farm/Ranch - Office Building - Rental House - Warehouse - Rental Condo - Apartment Building - Resort Rental - Mini Storage - Shopping Center - Motel/Hotel - Owner-Occupied Double/Duplex - Plus: any other commercial, industrial, business, or investment-held property. The only provision where 1031 exchanges don't qualify is when you are a dealer in real estate. This simply means that if a person or corporation acquires property with the intent of a fast re-sale, then the transaction won't qualify. The IRS has limited exchanges to those properties held for productive use in a trade or business or for investment, and necessarily excludes those held primarily for sale. What are the requirements to do a 1031 Deferred Exchange? The seller must dispose of either business- or investment-held property. The seller must acquire other business- or investment-held property of equal or greater value than the value (sale price) and existing debt of the property being sold, and all of the equity from the property being sold must go into acquiring the replacement property. Can I trade out several smaller properties for a larger one? Yes, as long as the value of the properties are equal. Is a Partially Taxable Exchange possible? Yes, you acquire with part of the funds, and you pay taxes on the balance of the funds. Can I refinance my old or new property before or after I have made an Exchange? Yes, the benefit is that the proceeds from financing or re-financing are tax-free. Can I hold a mortgage on my relinquished property and still have an exchange performed? Yes, the mortgage payment received is considered an installment sale and is subject to taxation as deemed received. The balance of the taxpayer's equity can be used as a deferred exchange. Is a Leasehold Interest considered like-kind? Yes, leasehold interest may be either relinquished property or replacement property in an exchange as long as there are 30 or more years remaining on the lease. What happens with a failed exchange? If a taxpayer executing an exchange does not acquire a replacement property and the exchange period straddles two tax years, the transaction becomes an installment sale and is taxable in the subsequent year. Can I have an Exchange performed on personal property? Yes, 1031's pertain to personal properties too. Some examples would include: equipment, furniture, aircraft, vehicles, vessels, livestock, and coins