A brief overview of safe-harbor Reverse 1031 Tax Deferred Exchanges - by Brendan Greene

Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 1031 allows a property owner, who holds property for “the productive use in a trade or business or for investment,” to defer paying any capital gains taxes if the property owner sells such property, identifies “like kind” property within forty-five days of the sale, and acquires other “like kind” property within 180 days of the sale.

There are many circumstances in which an investor wants or needs to acquire “Replacement Property” prior to selling the “Relinquished Property.” An investor may come across an investment property that must be purchased quickly, and there are also instances where the sale of the relinquished property is delayed or collapses and the investor is still under contract to purchase the replacement property. A Reverse 1031 Exchange allows for an investor to still defer paying capital gains taxes by acquiring the replacement property first, and then selling relinquished property within 180 days of the purchase of the replacement property. 

Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 does not specifically authorize so-called Reverse Exchanges and up until year 2000, taxpayers were at a loss as to how to properly structure a Reverse Exchange. However, on September 15, 2000, the IRS issued Revenue Procedure 2000-37 which provides a “safe harbor” for Reverse Exchanges completed as part of a properly structured “parking transaction.” Revenue Procedure 2000-37 provides that the parking arrangement is not the only way to properly structure a reverse exchange. However, if an exchanger follows these guidelines, then the exchange will withstand IRS scrutiny. 

In a “parking transaction,” the exchanger does not initially take title to the replacement property. Instead, the replacement property is “parked” with an Exchange Accommodation Titleholder (EAT), which is typically the Qualified Intermediary (QI), and the exchanger and the EAT enter into a written Qualified Exchange Accommodation Agreement (QEAA). The EAT holds title to the replacement property until such time as the exchanger arranges for the transfer of the relinquished property to the buyer in a simultaneous or deferred exchange. The EAT is typically a single member limited liability company (LLC) where the QI is the sole member.

When the replacement property is purchased and “parked” with the EAT, the taxpayer has 45 days from the date of purchase to identify the relinquished property or properties, and 180 days from the date of purchase by the EAT to sell the relinquished property.  

We have seen a large increase in reverse exchanges over the last couple of years as investors have become more familiar and knowledgeable as to how they work. Also, lenders have also become more comfortable with them and are more willing to lend on these transactions.

Reverse Exchanges are more complicated than the typical forward tax-deferred exchanges, but with proper structuring from GBEC, a Reverse Exchange gives the exchanger more options in the pursuit of finding replacement properties. Let us help you properly structure your Reverse Exchange. 

This article is a very brief overview of safe-harbor Reverse 1031 Exchanges. Reverse 1031 Exchange transactions must be very carefully planned and structured and investors should always engage experienced legal, financial and tax advice before entering into a 1031 Exchange transaction.

Greater Boston Exchange Company is always ready to assist you in structuring a 1031 Exchange. Please do not hesitate to contact us for additional information or assistance. 

Brendan Greene is an attorney and co-owner of Greater Boston Exchange Company, LLC (a subsidiary of McCue, Lee & Greene, LLP), Boston, Mass.