Like-Kind Exchanges Explained & Why 453 Tax Deferral Options Are A More Flexible Alternative.

It’s the oldest and simplest formula for accumulating wealth: Live the “buy low, sell high” dream by utilizing 453 installment tax deferral structures the sale of nearly any type of appreciated asset. Acquiring, holding and then selling real estate for profit, unfortunately, results in capital gains taxes that could amount to persistent leaks from an investor’s wealth-building pool. Every sale of investment or business property can create tax liability, reducing the amount of money available for acquiring new property in the old property’s place.

Fortunately, those leaks can be plugged by using a tax-deferral strategy known as a 1031 Starker exchange or Like-Kind Exchange. Serious investors have effectively utilized this strategy for decades, but the rules of the game changed dramatically when the new tax law was passed in December 2017.

What Is a Like-Kind Exchange?

The IRS recognized long ago that assessing capital gains taxes on every sale of business or investment property created disincentives for growth. After some tinkering with possible fixes, the agency eventually established rules for tax-deferred “like-kind” exchanges under Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code.

The most basic form of like-kind exchange is a direct, simultaneous swap of properties between two individuals or companies. Such trades are extremely rare, since they occur only when each participant wants exactly what the other wishes to give up.

Most often, a Section 1031 exchange occurs through the non-simultaneous sale of one property (the relinquished property) and the purchase of another property (the replacement property). The exchange transaction can take multiple forms, as explained below.

Note that a Section 1031 exchange is a tax-deferral technique, not a tax-free transaction. Nevertheless, deferring taxes on as many assets as possible for as long as possible remains a savvy investment strategy.

Like-Kind Exchanges Before the New Tax Law: The Old Rules

Prior to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, a wide variety of property types qualified for like-kind exchanges, including machinery, real estate, vehicles, musical instruments, artwork, businesses, crypto-currencies and livestock. In fact, as I noted in a previous article on the effects of the new tax law on the sports industry, even professional sports player trades qualified. The main limitation on exchanges was, in most cases, the rather strict definition of “like kind.” A boat could not be exchanged for a van, for example, even though both were vehicles.

After 2017 Tax Reform: The New ‘Real Estate Only’ Exchange Rules

Most Section 1031 exchanges met their demise when the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was enacted. Only real estate like-kind exchanges are allowed under the new law. The good news is that the definition of “like kind” remains very broad for real estate. Almost any two properties—a vacant lot and beach house, for example, can qualify as like-kind as long as they have comparable values and both are rental, investment or business properties. Personal real estate, such as a taxpayer’s residence or vacation house, generally doesn’t qualify for like-kind exchanges.

This change has made 453 Tax Deferral Structures even more popular and desirable because nearly any asset type can still benefit from tax deferral utilizing the IRC 453 tax code as an alternative deferral solution to replace, or rescue a failing exchange, or work in tandem. 453 deferral structures can also rescue failing 1031's if a Qualified intermediary is choose that understands how to amend a 1031 into a 453 structure.

Types of IRS Section 1031 Exchanges and the Role of a Qualified Intermediary

With a few exceptions, 1031 exchanges require the involvement of a Qualified Intermediary(QI), also called an Accommodator. In all states, it is crucial to thoroughly vet any potential QI, making sure to choose someone with integrity, extensive experience and knowledge of Section 1031 rules. An exchanger’s relative cannot serve as the QI, nor can anyone with an existing or recent financial relationship with the exchanger.

There are four main ways to execute a real estate like-kind exchange, each with its own rules.

1. Simultaneous Exchange

For a transaction to qualify as a simultaneous exchange, the sale of the relinquished property and the purchase of the replacement property must close on the same day.

2. Forward Exchange

In a forward exchange, the exchanger first sells the relinquished property, then seeks out and purchases the replacement property. Once all arrangements for the initial sale have been made, the QI executes the sale and places all proceeds in a binding trust.

After the sale, the exchanger has 45 days (the identification period) to identify potential replacement properties in a written document submitted to the QI. Generally, up to three properties of comparable value to the relinquished property may be selected, although other arrangements are possible. The exchanger then has up to 135 additional days (the purchase period) to reach a purchase agreement on one of the identified properties, at which point the QI executes the purchase and transfers ownership of the replacement property to the exchanger. The total time period allowed (45 + 135 days) is known as the 180-day exchange period.

If qualifying like-kind properties are not identified within 45 days, the replacement property is not acquired within a total of 180 days or the property purchased differs from the one identified in writing at the 45-day mark, then the transaction does not qualify for Section 1031 tax deferral.

3. Reverse Exchange

In a reverse exchange, the replacement property is identified and acquired first, then the relinquished property is sold. To keep a reverse exchange clean, the QI must handle the purchase of the replacement property and must hold that property beyond the taxpayer’s reach until the exchange is completed. To comply with this arm’s-length standard, the QI usually creates a single-member LLC and transfers the title to that entity, known as an exchange accommodation titleholder (EAT).

Once the purchase of the replacement property is executed, the exchanger has 45 days to identify the property that will be sold as the relinquished property, and 135 additional days to execute the sale.

4. Improvement Exchange or Construction Exchange

Improvement exchanges have particular appeal for anyone who both invests in and develops or rehabilitates properties, but such exchanges are tricky to execute and should be undertaken only with guidance from an experienced tax and investment professional. The basic idea is that after selling the relinquished property, the exchanger identifies a potential replacement property with significantly lower value (for example, a vacant lot or a dilapidated town house complex).

During the exchange period, the investor oversees construction upon or improvements to the property. By the end of the 180-day period, any value added to the replacement property (in the form of new structures, improvements or down payments toward the same) must be sufficient to qualify the property for a like-kind exchange. Throughout this process, the title to the replacement property must be held by the EAT established by the QI.

Note that it is perfectly OK to engage in construction or improvement activities with a replacement property that already has comparable value to the relinquished property. The difference lies in the order of the steps: For replacement property of sufficient existing value to qualify for a like-kind exchange, the investor should begin building or making improvements only after completing the Section 1031 transaction. For replacement property initially of lesser value, improvements must be made before completing the exchange.

One Cautionary Note About Non-qualifying Exchanges—"Flipping”

An important limitation to be aware of is that the 1031 exchange rules were developed for business and investment property. The underlying assumption is that the replacement property is acquired either for productive use within a trade or business or with the intent to hold the property for a considerable period for investment purposes.

Property “flipping” usually does not qualify for the Section 1031 tax deferral. If the IRS determines that the taxpayer’s purpose in purchasing a property was to sell it at a profit (“intent to flip”), the transaction will likely fail to qualify as a 1031 exchange.

Three Ways You Can Avoid Tax Liability Altogether

Although the Section 1031 rules allow only for tax deferral, three creative strategies may enable a taxpayer to permanently shield property exchanges from tax liability.

The first strategies are know as a 453 installment sales, that are structured in different customized ways utilizing a 3rd party intermediary and special purpose vehicles such as LLC's, QI's, to prevent sellers constructive receipt of net sales proceeds. One rule of thumb is if the money never touches the Sellers hands and the Seller does NOT have access or control of the net sales proceeds there is no constructive receipt or taxable event. Besides tax deferral a few of the other significant benefits of 453 deferral solutions is ability to 1) create tax deferred liquidity (access to cash) 2) Diversify investments of net proceeds to reduce risk 3) Flexibility of investment choices 4) Estate and Charitable planning. This is by far the most flexible deferral strategy with the least rules and restrictions that could negate your tax deferral.

The second strategy is known as “defer, defer, die.” With a well-structured estate plan, properties acquired via like-kind exchanges can be passed along to an investor’s heirs in such a way that the heirs receive a stepped-up tax basis in the properties. That basis—usually equal to the market value of the properties at the time of the original investor’s death—allows heirs to sell the properties without capital gains tax implications.

The third strategy is known as conversion to primary residence. This allows an investor to sell off a Section 1031 replacement property tax-free while he or she is still alive. The strategy involves converting a 1031 exchange replacement property into one’s primary residence. Suppose, for example, that a married couple owns a lakefront cabin that they originally purchased as part of a like-kind exchange in 2009 and now manage as a vacation rental. The couple decides to sell their home and convert the rental property into their primary residence.

Section 121 of the Revenue Code allows homeowners who have owned a primary residence for at least five years and lived in it for at least two to exclude a portion of the gain from selling the residence (up to $250,000 for individuals, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly) from their reported capital gains. As a result, the couple may be able to sell their current residence with no tax implications. After moving to the cabin and living there for two years, they can sell that property and shield the revenue from capital gains taxes under Section 121 as well. In the end, taxes on the original capital gain from the sale of the relinquished property way back in 2009, once deferred, completely vanish.

Note that employing this strategy may require proving to the IRS that the replacement property (the lakefront cabin in this example) was in fact purchased as an investment holding, not with the intention to live there. Accordingly, certain safe harbor requirements must be met in order to avoid invalidating the prior tax-deferred exchange and allow exclusion of the gain as noted above. Keep thorough records and consult with a knowledgeable tax and investment advisor to make sure all documentation requirements are met.

Used wisely, Section 1031 like-kind exchanges & 453 Installment Deferral Structures are powerful tax-deferment tools for business entities and real estate investors. Under the new tax law, only 453 deferral structures allow deferral for non-real estate assets. It is strongly recommended you speak to a qualified fiduciary advisor that specializes in tax deferral solutions. Tax Deferral Services is one of the nations top resources to learn about options and to implement the best tax strategy to pursue your goals.

Contact Adam Ausloos at 414.269.2600 or email adam@defernow.com Today!

**This article is not tax, legal or other professional advice and cannot be relied upon for any purpose without consultation and advice from a retained professional.**