1031 Tax Deferred Exchange

Benefits Of A 1031 Exchange

Do the Math | 100% Deferral

 

Don't sell your income or investment property until you Do the Math

Taxes are paid on capital gain, not equity or profit. It is possible to sell property without realizing much profit and still owe substantial capital gains tax. Capital gain is simply the difference between the sales price and the adjusted basis (i.e., what you paid for the property, plus amounts spent on capital improvements, less depreciation taken) less any closing costs associated with the sale.

To calculate your estimated capital gain – first subtract the adjusted basis from the sales price; then subtract the costs of your transaction, commission, fees, transfer tax, etc.; finally, multiply the capital gain by your combined tax rates (Federal and State) to determine your estimated capital gain tax.

1. Calculate Net Adjusted Basis:

  

Example

   

Original Purchase Price

  

$400,000

 

Plus Capital Improvements

  

$25,000

 

Minus Depreciation Taken

  

($175,000)

 

Equals Adjusted Basis

  

$250,000

2. Calculate Capital Gain:

  

  

 

Current Sales Price

  

$600,000

 

Minus Exchange Expenses

  

($30,000)

 

Minus Adjusted Basis

  

($250,000)

 

Equals Capital Gain

  

$320,000

3. Calculate Capital Gain Tax:

  

  

 

Gain Attributable to Depreciation
($175,000 x 25% = depreciation)

  

$43,750

 

Plus Federal Capital Gain Tax
($320,000-$175,000 = $145,000 x 15%)

  

$21,750

 

Plus State Capital Gain Tax
(e.g. CA approx. 10% x $320,000 [cap. gain])

  

$ 32,000

 

= Combined Tax Due

  

$97,500

The formula set forth above is provided to help you determine your approximate gain and the sums that you may wish to defer through your exchange transaction. Consult with your tax advisor to determine the correct values and whether an exchange is appropriate for your circumstances.

 

100% Deferral

To fully defer state and federal capital gain taxes, the Exchanger must reinvest all exchange proceeds and either acquire property with equal or greater debt or reinvest additional cash equal to the debt relief. The following worksheet is a useful tool for determining the amount of cash and debt that should go into the replacement property.

RELINQUISHED PROPERTY

  

Example

Sale Price:

  

$400,000

Minus Existing Loans:

  

$150,000

Minus Exchange Expenses:

  

$25,000

Equals Net Proceeds:

  

$225,000

      

REPLACEMENT PROPERTY

  

Example

Purchase Price:

  

$600,000

Minus New Loans:

  

$375,000

Equals Minimum Down:

  

$225,000

Your minimum down payment for the replacement property should be equal to or greater than the net proceeds from the sale of your relinquished property. Otherwise, you may have boot in the form of cash.