Advisor FAQ Hub: 1031 Questions Professionals Get Every Week
22 min read · For Advisors · Last updated
Key Takeaways
This FAQ is a desk reference for advisors. Bookmark it. Each answer is precise, cites IRC sections and IRS guidance, and links to deeper articles. Use it to quickly answer client questions, refer to IRS authority, and identify when specialist input is needed.
Timeline and Deadlines
What counts as Day 1 for the 45/180-day periods? Day 1 is the day title closes on the relinquished property and the client no longer owns it. Both the 45-day identification window and 180-day acquisition period are measured in calendar days from Day 1. Confirm the exact closing time with the title company.
Can weekends or holidays extend the deadlines? No. The IRC 1031 deadlines are absolute. If Day 45 falls on a Saturday, midnight Saturday is the deadline. Most advisors recommend submitting the identification letter by Day 40 to allow for processing delays.
How are deadlines calculated for a Dec. 31 closing? Day 1 is Dec. 31. Day 45 is February 14 (following year). Day 180 is June 30 (following year). The deferred gain straddles two tax years. The exchange is reported on Form 8824 for the year of the sale. Consult the CPA on estimated taxes.
What if the client's sale closes late in December? December closings compress the identification and acquisition timeline across a year-end boundary. Plan carefully and maintain a wide margin on the identification deadline. The same-taxpayer rule still applies.
Can the advisor sign the identification letter? No. The identification must be signed by the client/taxpayer or by a duly authorized representative with written power of attorney. Most advisors do not sign identification letters to avoid liability. See 1031-identification-letter-template-advisor.
What is the most common reason identifications fail? Client procrastination. The second most common: identified properties fall through on inspection or negotiation, leaving no viable replacement by Day 180. Identify early, include at least one property the advisor is confident will close.
Boot and Tax Calculations
What is boot and how is it taxed? Boot is any property received that is not like-kind (cash, debt relief, or non-real-property assets). Gain recognized is the lesser of realized gain or boot received. Depreciation recapture is always recaptured regardless of boot. See form-8824-advisor-walkthrough.
How is depreciation recapture treated? Depreciation recapture is recognized as ordinary income even in a 1031 exchange where gain is otherwise deferred. Section 1250 property has limited recapture under current law. The deferred gain in excess of recapture carries to the replacement property as adjusted basis.
How is basis calculated in the replacement property? Start with adjusted basis of the relinquished property. Add boot paid out of pocket. Subtract boot received. The result is the adjusted basis in the replacement property.
What happens when a loan is paid off from sale proceeds? Debt relief is treated as boot received. The mortgage payoff amount reduces the deferred gain. Coordinate closely with the CPA on Form 8824 preparation.
Can the client borrow from the 1031 proceeds during the exchange? No. If the QI releases funds to the client for any reason during the 45/180-day window, constructive receipt occurs and the exchange fails. See qi-safe-harbor-constructive-receipt-advisor.
Can a client exchange into a joint-tenancy property with a spouse? Only if the relinquished property was also held jointly. The same-taxpayer rule requires identical ownership on both sides. Consult a tax attorney for community property state nuances.
Property Qualification
What is "like-kind" under current law (post-TCJA)? Any real property held for investment or productive use in a trade or business. A client can exchange an office building for farmland, or a commercial warehouse for a multifamily complex. The property does not need to be the same type, size, or location.
Does 1031 still apply to anything besides real estate? No. TCJA (2017) eliminated 1031 deferral for personal property, equipment, vehicles, and non-real-estate assets. See 1031-client-qualification-quick-screen.
Do property flips qualify? It depends on intent and holding period. If the client is a dealer (buying and selling as a business), properties are inventory and do not qualify. A property held 2+ years with investment intent has a stronger argument. Consult CPA or tax attorney for ambiguous cases.
What is Rev. Proc. 2008-16 (vacation home exchanges)? A safe harbor for dwelling units used partly for personal use. The property must be rented at fair market value for at least 14 days per year and personal use must not exceed the greater of 14 days or 10% of rental days, for two years before and after the exchange. See vacation-home-1031-rev-proc-2008-16-advisor.
Can an exchange into a DST be unwound? If a DST is liquidated within 2 years, the client may face constructive receipt or gain-recognition issues. Review the DST offering documents for unwinding provisions and consider a backup replacement property. Consult counsel.
Entity and Ownership
Can an LLC do a 1031 exchange? Yes. The key rule is same taxpayer on both sides. If property is in "XYZ Rentals LLC," the replacement must be in that same LLC. A single-member LLC disregarded for tax purposes is treated as the owner. Do not change entity structure during the exchange. See partnership-llc-1031-same-taxpayer-advisor.
Can a partnership or multi-member LLC exchange property? Yes. The partnership is the taxpayer. The exchange defers gain at the partnership level. Each partner carries their pro-rata share of the deferred gain. Partners cannot individually opt in or out of the exchange.
What is a "disqualified person" for QI purposes? Anyone who has acted as an advisor, attorney, accountant, agent, or employee of the client within the prior 2 years, or a related entity. The QI must be an independent third party. See qi-safe-harbor-constructive-receipt-advisor.
How do related-party rules work under IRC 1031(f)? If both properties are related-party property and the related party disposes of the property within 2 years, the exchange is disqualified retroactively. Related parties include spouses, lineal family, siblings, and entities with 50%+ ownership. See related-party-1031-two-year-rule-advisor.
What if the client is purchasing jointly with a spouse? If the relinquished property is held individually, the replacement must also be held individually. The same-taxpayer rule requires identical entities on both sides. Consult a tax attorney for structuring options.
DSTs and Alternatives
What is a DST and how is it treated for 1031? A Delaware Statutory Trust is a passive investment vehicle holding real property. Under Revenue Ruling 2004-86, a DST interest is treated as a real property interest and qualifies as like-kind. See dst-qualify-1031-revenue-ruling-2004-86-advisor.
Can a client do multiple 1031 exchanges in succession? Yes. There is no limit on the number of exchanges and no holding period required between them. The deferred gain from prior exchanges carries forward. If the client holds replacement property until death, a step-up in basis eliminates the deferred gain.
What happens to deferred gain at death? The replacement property receives a step-up in basis to fair market value under IRC 1014. The deferred gain is permanently forgiven. Heirs inherit at stepped-up basis. This is a significant benefit and a primary reason for serial exchanges.
What is a reverse exchange? Under Rev. Proc. 2000-37, the client acquires replacement property before selling the relinquished property. An Exchange Accommodation Titleholder holds the property during the transition. The 180-day deadline still applies. See reverse-1031-exchange-advisor-guide.
Identification Rules
What is the three-property identification rule? IRC 1031(a)(3) allows identification of up to three replacement properties without regard to value. The client must close on at least one. If more than three are identified, the 200% or 95% rule applies.
When does the 95% rule apply? If a client identifies more than three properties and the aggregate value exceeds 200% of the relinquished property value, the client must close on at least 95% of the total identified value. Most advisors keep identification to three or fewer to avoid this calculation.
Must a formal identification letter be used? The identification must be in writing, signed by the client, and delivered to the QI. A formal letter using the QI's template is the safest approach. Emails or informal lists may be vulnerable to challenge. See 1031-identification-letter-template-advisor.
This FAQ is a reference hub. For detailed guidance on any topic, follow the linked articles. When in doubt, escalate to a CPA, tax attorney, or QI who specializes in 1031 exchanges.
The Bottom Line
1031 law is technical, but the fundamentals are clear and consistent. Use this FAQ to ground your practice in authority and to escalate edge cases to qualified counsel.
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