How often can you do a 1031 exchange: All You Need To Know

To understand how a 1031 exchange works, it is important first to understand the rules and regulations that come with it. How often can you do a 1031 exchange? What happens if you run out of time in a 1031 exchange? In this blog post, we’ll go over everything you need to know about the 1031 exchange so that you can make the most informed decision.

What is a 1031 Exchange?

A 1031 exchange is a section of the United States tax code that allows taxpayers to defer taxes on selling real estate or other investments by reinvesting the proceeds in a like-kind asset. 

The basic rule of a 1031 exchange is that taxpayers can defer taxes on the sale of property by reinvesting those proceeds from the sale into a like-kind asset. This can even be up to double the value of the relinquished property with the 1031 exchange 200% rule. How often can you do a 1031 exchange depends on how you want to structure the transaction and how much time has passed between exchanges.

What happens if you run out of time in a 1031 exchange?

1031 exchanges have strict regulations and timelines to follow, leaving minimal room for mistakes. Even the most experienced investor can be caught off-guard by this complex process.  What do you then do if you miss the window and are unable to do a 1031 exchange?

It may seem like paying taxes on the relinquished property is your only resort, but that doesn’t need to be so! You could still recover with a Delaware Statutory Trust (or DST) depending on the circumstances. With careful planning and fast action in case of an emergency, you don’t have to fall victim to failed exchanges – explore all available options before it’s too late!

What is the required holding period for a 1031 exchange?

Although Congress proposed a one-year wait period for exchanging properties in 1989 through HR 3150, this was not officially passed into the tax code. Yet, many advisors still consider it as an unspoken rule due to its potential to separate short-term capital gains from long-term ones after 12 months. Therefore, there is a generally accepted consensus that one should hold on to their property for at least one year before beginning an exchange.

While the U.S. tax code does not stipulate a definitive length of time for holding onto 1031 exchange property, court cases provide some insight into acceptable and unacceptable duration. For instance, in 1953’s Allegheny County Auto Mart v. CIR., an exchange was successfully finalized after only five days on the market; however, the Klarkowski v Commissioner case from 1967 found that a six-year hold led to the disqualification of said property.

Determining whether or not an exchange meets the criteria of Section 1031 demands a thorough review of all pertinent details. The objective when obtaining any property is identified by more than just timing; other aspects must also be considered.

Qualified Intent

With an unlimited number of 1031 exchanges available, the IRS leaves it up to you as a taxpayer to qualify your intent. However, with the guidance of a Qualified Intermediary by your side and building out your case for intention, even unskilled taxpayers can succeed in their exchange transactions.

How often can you do a 1031 exchange?

There is no restriction on the number of times you can participate in a 1031 exchange. As long as you meet all the requirements and have an experienced intermediary by your side, you can use this tool as often as possible to minimize your capital gains taxes.

Overall, there are a lot of regulations to take into account when engaging in a 1031 exchange. How often can you do a 1031 exchange depends on how well-structured your transaction is, what happens if you run out of time, and the required holding period for a 1031 exchange? To ensure that everything goes according to plan and none of these risks come up, ensure that you get help from an experienced, Qualified Intermediary!