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The Global Insight

How is boot from a 1031 exchange taxed?

Author

Christopher Davis

Updated on March 15, 2026

A Taxpayer Must Not Receive “Boot” from an exchange in order for a Section 1031 exchange to be completely tax-free. Any boot received is taxable (to the extent of gain realized on the exchange). Otherwise, boot should be avoided in order for a 1031 Exchange to be tax free. …

How does boot work in a 1031 exchange?

Boot is a portion of the sales proceeds you receive from a 1031 exchange that isn’t re-invested in a replacement property. For example, if you sell a property for $200,000 but only re-invest $180,000, the $20K difference is known as boot.

Can you partially do a 1031 exchange?

A 1031 Exchange allows a taxpayer to defer 100% of their capital gain tax liability. They simply become “partial” 1031 Exchanges where the taxpayer has a partially tax deferred transaction rather than deferring all of their taxes.

What is cash Boot in 1031 exchange?

The term boot refers to non-like-kind property received in an exchange. Usually boot is in the form of cash, an installment note, debt relief or personal property and is valued to be the “fair market value” of the non-like-kind property received.

Can you buy a more expensive property with a 1031 exchange?

The home you buy must be worth more than the one you sell. People benefit from a 1031 exchange only when the property they buy is of equal or greater value than the one they’re selling—in other words, they’re trading up.

What does boot mean in a 1031 exchange?

Another reason is that there’s less likelihood of any boot being recognized by either party. In a 1031 exchange, “boot” refers to property received which is not “like-kind” to the property relinquished. Boot can take various forms. The two most common forms are cash boot and mortgage boot.

What happens when you do a partial 1031 exchange?

What Is a Partial 1031 Exchange? A partial exchange occurs when relinquished property proceeds are not all expended on replacement (s). That portion of those exchange proceeds not reinvested is called cash boot. It’s subject to capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes.

Do you need a facilitator in a 1031 exchange?

No facilitator is required in a two party direct swap exchange. Another reason is that there’s less likelihood of any boot being recognized by either party. In a 1031 exchange, “boot” refers to property received which is not “like-kind” to the property relinquished. Boot can take various forms.

What happens to the proceeds of a partial exchange?

A partial exchange occurs when relinquished property proceeds are not all expended on replacement (s). That portion of those exchange proceeds not reinvested is called cash boot. It’s subject to capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes.