1031 Exchanges and the Capital Gains Tax Rule

A 1031 exchange 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.

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.

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 must reinvest all cash proceeds from the sale, and purchase a new property or properties of equal or greater value, in order to avoid taxation on the gains.  
• 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.