How do you report Section 1031 Like-Kind Exchanges to the IRS? You must report an exchange to the IRS on Form 8824, Like-Kind Exchanges and file it with your tax return for the year in which the exchange occurred.
A Qualified Intermediary, or QI, is an independent third party to the transaction whose function is to prepare the documents necessary to create the exchange, as well as to act as the independent escrow agent for the exchange funds.
Lack of Liquidity- Exchanging properties continually can tie up funds in real estate, making it hard for an investor to access liquid capital if required. While real estate can be a profitable investment, it's not as liquid as some other assets.
In essence, virtually all real property in the United States that is held for investment or productive use in a trade of business (“1031 qualified use”) is “like-kind” to all other U.S. real property to be held for a 1031 qualified use.
A 1031 exchange allows investors to defer capital gains tax on the sale of one investment property by reinvesting the proceeds into another like-kind property. The like-kind exchange must involve real estate properties, not personal property (except in specific cases, such as real estate businesses).
Your 1031 exchange must be reported by completing Form 8824 and filing it along with your federal income tax return. If you completed more than one exchange, a different form must be completed for each exchange. For line-by-line instructions on how to complete form, download the instructions here.
Under § 1031(f)(1), a taxpayer exchanging like-kind property with a related person cannot use the nonrecognition provisions of § 1031 if, within 2 years of the date of the last transfer, either the related person disposes of the relinquished property or the taxpayer disposes of the replacement property.
How to Do a 1031 Exchange Choose a qualified intermediary to coordinate the exchange. Sell your current real estate property. You have 45 days to identify potential replacement properties. You have 180 days to close on a replacement property. File IRS Form 8824.
DSTs can also be one of the easiest 1031 replacement property options to access because the real estate already has been acquired by the DST sponsor company and in turn may typically be closed on by the investor within three to five business days.