N
The Global Insight

How does a 1031 exchange work for real estate?

Author

Sarah Garza

Updated on March 10, 2026

A home is also considered a capital asset. Capital gains tax on real estate occur when you sell a home for more than you paid. In effect, with a 1031 exchange you can change the form of your investment without cashing out or recognizing a capital gain. This allows your investment to continue to grow on a tax deferred basis.

Can a 1031 exchange defer capital gains taxes?

A 1031 Exchange allows an investor to “defer” paying capital gains taxes on an investment property when it is sold, as long as another “like-kind property” is purchased with the profit gained by the sale of the first property.

How long does it take for 1031 exchange to close?

Once the exchanger sellers their property, they have 45 days to identify a property of equal or greater value. Once designated, the closing on the new property must occur within 180 days from the sale of the old property. No “Boot” allowed.

When do you pay capital gains on real estate?

Capital gains tax on real estate occur when you sell a home for more than you paid. In effect, with a 1031 exchange you can change the form of your investment without cashing out or recognizing a capital gain. This allows your investment to continue to grow on a tax deferred basis.

A 1031 exchange allows you to put off your capital gains tax bill, and reinvest the proceeds from a property sale into a second property, or into multiple properties. This allows you to fully invest your profits into new properties, deferring your tax liability until a time when your holdings have grown exponentially.

Can a 1031 exchange defer capital gains tax?

The 1031 exchange can help you defer capital gains tax while you reinvest the profits from an initial investment into a new property, or a series of them. But investors must be careful to follow a few important rules, or risk losing those tax advantages.

What are the rules for one to one Real Estate Exchanges?

Let’s look at three of the most important ones: the three property rule, the 200% rule, and the 95% rule. What is the Three Property Rule? Because finding the right property for a one-to-one exchange within the 180 day period of eligibility can be difficult, the rules allow for you to target up to three properties for reinvestment.

How long does it take for an exchange property to become real property?

Six or more months before the exchange takes place, the property held by the taxpayer is given to a related party who then leases the property to an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT) for a period of time greater than 30 years to qualify as real property.

How to defer all recognition of gain in a 1031 exchange?

There are three general rules of thumb to quickly see if you will defer all of the recognition of gain in your 1031 exchange: Typically you will acquire replacement property that is “up or equal” in value (price). You will roll over all of your equity (net proceeds) from the relinquished property into your replacement property.

What does section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code mean?

Section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code allows a taxpayer to defer the recognition of gains (or losses) on an investment property when sold if the relinquished property is exchanged for a like-kind replacement property.

Can a dwelling unit be included in a 1031 sale?

However, the term “dwelling unit” does not include other structures on the property. Revenue Procedure 2005-14 points out that neither Section 121 nor 1031 addresses the potential for applying both sections to one sale of a property.

Can a 1031 be deferred into a replacement property?

You can do a partial 1031 into a lesser valued replacement property, but if you want to defer 100% of the gain, you typically need to continue your investment into an equivalent or more valuable replacement properties (see the napkin test). 3 General Rules

Who is the intermediary for a reverse 1031 exchange?

The intermediary can be any professional licensed to transact exchanges and is most typically an accommodator which can also be an accountant or attorney. Yes it is called a reverse 1031 exchange. Just ensure you communicate that with your Qualified intermediary.

Is there a 1031 rule for selling multiple properties?

There’s no 1031 exchange rule limiting the number of properties that you can sell. Already a complex process, be mindful, however, that involving more properties adds to the challenge. A case in point: two 1031 rules add difficulties from the start literally. The 45-day rule limiting the property identification period.

Is there a 45 day rule for 1031 exchange?

A case in point: two 1031 rules add difficulties from the start literally. The 45-day rule limiting the property identification period. This period starts with the first property being sold.

Do you have to reinvest all net proceeds into your 1031?

Jun 14, 2021 Capping 1031 Exchanges will Result in Economic Stagnation, Not RecoveryJun 14, 2021 Jun 10, 2021 What are Qualified vs. Non-Qualified 1031 Exchange ExpensesJun 10, 2021

Is there an exception to IRC Section 1031?

IRC Section 1031 provides an exception and allows you to postpone paying tax on the gain if you reinvest the proceeds in similar property as part of a qualifying like-kind exchange.