EXCHANGE BASICS

What are the Exchange Requirements?

{diagram of a exchange requirements}

  1. Purchase equal or greater value.
  2. Reinvest all net equity.
  3. Equal or greater debt. (Exception: A reduction in debt can be offset with additional cash, however a reduction in equity cannot be offset by increasing debt.)
Exchanges must be completed within strict time limits with absolutely no extensions. The Exchanger has 45 days from the date the relinquished property closes to identify potential replacement properties. This involves a written notification to the Qualified Intermediary listing the addresses or legal descriptions of the potential replacement properties. The purchase of the replacement property must be completed within 180 days after of the close of the relinquished property. After the 45 days has passed, the Exchanger may not change their Property Identification list and must purchase one of the listed replacement properties or the exchange fails!

To avoid the payment of capital gain taxes the Exchanger should follow three general rules: (a) purchase a replacement property that is the same or greater value as the relinquished property, (b) reinvest all of the exchange equity into the replacement property, and (c) obtain the same or greater debt on the replacement property as on the relinquished property. The Exchanger can offset the amount of debt obtained on the replacement property by putting the equivalent amount of additional cash into the exchange.

In the case of real property exchanges, the Exchanger must sell property that is held for income or investment purposes and acquire replacement property that will be held for income or investment purposes. This is the like-kind property test. I.R.C Section 1031 does not apply to exchanges of stock in trade, inventory, property held for sale, stocks, bonds, notes, securities, evidences of indebtedness, certificates of trust or beneficial interests or interests in a partnership.


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