1031 Exchange: What Real Estate Investors Need To Know

7 min readJan 20, 2023

For real estate investors, taxes are just part of the deal. However, 1031 exchanges, which are named for the IRS Section 1031 of the IRS’s tax code, allow you to sidestep capital gains.

We’ve put together some tips about 1031 exchanges as well as some of the most important related rules you must follow.

What Is A 1031 Exchange?

A 1031 exchange is a real estate investing tool that allows investors to swap out an investment property for another and defer capital gains or losses or capital gains tax that you otherwise would have to pay at the time of sale.

This method is popular with investors looking to upgrade properties without being charged taxes for the proceeds.

You’ll also hear 1031 exchanges referred to as a like-kind exchange or a Starker exchange. Section 1031 applies to the property beyond real estate, but many 1031 cases also deal with buildings and land.

How Does A 1031 Exchange Work?

As a seller, you can postpone capital gains taxes by selling a property and putting the proceeds toward a like-kind property, or property similar in nature and value.

If you don’t receive any proceeds from the sale, there’s no income to tax. In other words, you gain no profit from the sale. That’s the idea behind a 1031 exchange, and here’s how to make that work.

Step 1: Identify The Property You Want To Buy And Sell

The initial step is to determine the property you want to sell and the property to exchange. The property you’re selling and the property you’re buying must be “like-kind,” which means they must be similar but not necessarily the same quality or grade.

Step 2: Choose A Qualified Intermediary

Then, you must work with a qualified intermediary, also known as an exchange facilitator, to handle a 1031 exchange transaction. The qualified intermediary holds your funds in escrow for you until the exchange is complete.

You’ll want to carefully choose the right qualified intermediary, so you don’t lose money, miss key deadlines, or end up paying taxes now instead of later.

Step 3: Tell The IRS About Your Transaction

Lastly, you’ll need to tell the IRS about your transaction through IRS Form 8824 with your tax return. On that form, you’ll describe the properties, provide a timeline, explain who was involved in the process, and list the money involved.

Both the relinquished property you sell and the replacement property you buy must meet certain requirements.

Relinquished Property

The relinquished property is being exchanged for another in a 1031 exchange. It’s also known as Phase 1 or down leg.

Replacement Property

A replacement property refers to a like-kind parcel being bought with the proceeds from the relinquished property.

What Is A Qualified Intermediary?

A qualified intermediary is a person or company that sells your property on your behalf, buys the replacement asset, and then transfers the deed to you.

Let’s dig into a qualified intermediary’s job responsibilities a little further. They will:

Coordinate with you, the seller, on the structure of the 1031 exchange.
Prepare the relinquished asset documentation and the replacement property documentation.
Give instructions and the appropriate documents to the escrow or title company about the exchange.
Create an arm’s length transaction in the agreement between the seller or exchanger and the qualified intermediary.
Transfer to the qualified intermediary, who works to convey the asset to the buyer.
Handle money from the relinquished property sale and deposit these funds into a separate and insured account.
Hold the funds from the sale of the relinquished property during a 45-day identification period.
Hold written information about potential replacement properties.
Transfer funds once the replacement property has been selected and disburses them to the title or escrow company for the purchase of the replacement property.
Convey the title to the seller or exchanger by deed.
Keep complete records for the seller.
Give a 1099 form to the seller or exchanger and the IRS if needed, for interest.

Choosing The Right Qualified Intermediary

It’s important to choose the right qualified intermediary for you. Confirm that the qualified intermediary you’re considering offers:

Real estate experience: Does the qualified intermediary have extensive real estate experience?
Successful completion of compliance examinations: Processors should meet annual compliance examinations, such as SSAE 16.
Transparency in transactions: Can you view your exchange money at all times? You want to know what’s happening with your money.
Fund security: Make sure your funds are held in an FDIC-insured account for safety.

When To Use A 1031 Exchange

There are multiple reasons why you might want to use a 1031 exchange. You may want to:

Invest in a property with better return prospects than your current investment property.
Consolidate several properties into one, possibly for life estate planning purposes.
Reset the property’s depreciation.
Turn your vacation home into a rental property and do a 1031 exchange. For example, you’d stop using your beach house, rent it out for a few months, then exchange it for another property.)
Sell your investment property and invest in more than one property. For example, you can buy three investment properties if you want to — there’s no limit. However, if you buy more than three, your qualified intermediary will have to go over some extra rules with you for financing multiple rental properties.

1031 Exchange Rules And Requirements

Let’s discuss the rules and regulations that pertain to a 1031 exchange, including property requirements and time requirements.

Property Requirements

The property you exchange must abide by certain requirements:

The replacement property must be like-kind, or of equal or greater value to the relinquished property. Both properties must be similar enough to qualify as “like-kind.” Most real estate can be like-kind to other real estates. For example, real property improved with a residential rental house is considered like-kind to empty land. Note that property within the United States is not like-kind to property outside of the United States.
The exchanged properties must be similar in nature and function. For example, a rental or multifamily property cannot be exchanged to acquire a vacation home. Personal use residences, such as a primary residence, second home, or vacation home, do not qualify as like-kind exchanges. Actual property and personal property (which can include machinery, equipment, collectibles, vehicles, boats, aircraft, artwork, patents, and other intellectual property) can both qualify as exchange properties under Section 1031 but actual property can never be like-kind to personal property. The rules are more restrictive for personal property as well. For example, cars are not like-kind to trucks.
You cannot hold the money made from a sale during the exchange at any time. All funds must be held in escrow by a qualified intermediary, or the proceeds will become taxable.

Finally, Section 1031 does not apply to these types of exchanges:

Stocks, bonds, or notes
Other securities or debt
Partnership interests
Trust certificates

Time Requirements

You must also adhere to specific timelines with a 1031 tax exchange or the gain on the sale of your property may become taxable:

You have 45 days after the sale of your relinquished property to find potential replacement properties. You must do so in writing and share it with the seller or your qualified intermediary.
You must close on the replacement property within 180 days of closing on the relinquished property or after your tax return is due — whichever is earlier.

Types Of 1031 Exchanges

You may want to look into three types of tax-deferred exchanges — delayed exchanges, reverse exchanges, and build-to-suit exchanges. Consider the following:

Delayed Exchange

A delayed exchange is the most common exchange format because it offers you the flexibility of up to a maximum of 180 days to purchase a replacement property. If the relinquished property is sold before you acquire the replacement property, the sale proceeds go to your qualified intermediary. The qualified intermediary holds the money until you acquire the replacement property and your qualified intermediary will deliver funds to the closing agent.

Reverse Exchange

A reverse exchange, or forward exchange, involves closing on the purchase of the replacement property before you close on the sale of the relinquished property. You may want to tap into this option to get a desirable replacement property when it’s a seller’s market, especially if you encounter competing offers or a pressing need to close quickly.

When a replacement property is purchased before the sale of the relinquished property, again, the property must be transferred through an exchange accommodation titleholder — the qualified intermediary.

Built-To-Suit Exchange

A built-to-suit exchange, also known as a construction exchange or improvement exchange, is an exchange that allows deferred tax dollars to be used towards renovations of the replacement property. The improvements must be completed within the 180-day period.

Tax Implications Of A 1031 Exchange

You may encounter some tax implications as a result of doing a 1031 exchange, including:

Capital gains may occur for leftover cash, known as the “boot,” following an exchange.
If the mortgage on the replacement property is lower than the one on the relinquished property, you may get taxed on the difference.
You’ll get taxed for the sale of the relinquished property if the sale is unsuccessful.
If you enact many 1031 exchanges over the years, these can yield deferred gains numbering in the hundreds or thousands, increasing your tax liability.

The Bottom Line

A 1031 exchange can help real estate investors buy more profitable properties, grow their portfolio, defer capital gains tax and continue reinvesting.

It can be a complicated process due to the strict requirements and timelines so it’s important to have a qualified intermediary to facilitate the 1031 exchange on your behalf and ensure that the transaction is completed with IRS guidelines in mind.

Investing in real estate takes time and thorough research to understand all the ins and outs of the industry. Learn how to build your real estate portfolio with me.